Pontoon sizing & HP?

[Traxion]

Looking for some guidance on pontoons. Wife is insistent on getting one as a family cruiser. We’ve got a couple young kids and need to have the ability to tow a tube at least. I’m thinking something smaller, 24’ range, at most? I’ve been on a 26’ with 115 that did fine. Can anyone give me some guidelines on what works? It’s just interesting to see the same length toons with one having a 70 Yamaha and the other a 250 Verado.

 

[Fester]

Looking for some guidance on pontoons. Wife is insistent on getting one as a family cruiser. We’ve got a couple young kids and need to have the ability to tow a tube at least. I’m thinking something smaller, 24’ range, at most? I’ve been on a 26’ with 115 that did fine. Can anyone give me some guidelines on what works? It’s just interesting to see the same length toons with one having a 70 Yamaha and the other a 250 Verado.

115 is plenty to pull tubers, water ski, wake board etc. Wake board your pulling the person at around 12-17mph and depending on the toon with a 115hp you could do 24-27mph. One thing i would be aware of is electrical. The smaller engines use a stator vs alternator. If you plan on having a large sound system or anything that needs large amounts of electricity be aware of the amp output on the motor. Majority of the time a pontoon is idling along and using very very little horsepower..they are living rooms on the water. A buddy had a 200 on his pontoon and wishes he would have never got it. Idling along uses more fuel then a 115/150hp and the cost associated with the engine he feels will never get it out of it when he sells. I would not go smaller then a 115hp though. That would be the lowest i would go for pulling. In your situation it would be the engine i would choose though as its great on fuel, can pull whatever you want and reliable. Like i said before though the only concern i may have is electrical. If you dont plan on a big stereo with amps then 100% it would be the 115hp.

 

[KDM]

A toon takes a lot of wind and you need enough power to safely avoid bad weather, sudden winds, and loading situations while still being able to enjoy whatever activity you want to do. The bigger the toon the more power obviously. What the ratio is, I have no idea. Never had a toon. Just watched enough of them struggle with wind for 40 years. Enjoy the new toy.

 

[Fester]

A toon takes a lot of wind and you need enough power to safely avoid bad weather, sudden winds, and loading situations while still being able to enjoy whatever activity you want to do. The bigger the toon the more power obviously. What the ratio is, I have no idea. Never had a toon. Just watched enough of them struggle with wind for 40 years. Enjoy the new toy.

When doing anything recreational you should be aware of weather. If it calls for strong winds or storms, going on the water should be the last thing your doing. Also should be aware of the limitations of your equipment. When i am on the lake fishing even if it says no storms calm etc i still keep an eye on radar/weather app. Its the one thing a capt of boat should be very aware of as you have your life as well as others in your hands. I have operated 22ft toons with 40hp all the way up too 22ft walleye boats with 400hp. It all comes down to knowing what your equipment can and cant do. The problem is that to many operators dont know what those limits are. Either because they barely use the equipment or because they dont care to know...thats a scary scary situation.

 

[Wirehair]

We have a 115 hp Yammy on a 22' tritoon. It does about what is mentioned above. Works well for tubing / recreating with gkids. We have also watched way too many times under-powered toons trying to get off the river when a 'sudden' windstorm develops. It does not look like fun. Last summer we watched a 50 hp toon trying to get back to Fox Island in a wind/rain storm. The guy driving it had almost no control. If the bimini top had not let loose, the thing may have capsized. I drove down to Fox to see if I could help when they got to shore and the 6 on board were clueless in what they were doing. Scary indeed!

 

[Rowdie]

Don't forget about tri-toons. I'd investigate them as I hear good things

 

[Traxion]

I’d prefer smaller 22’ if it worked. Not sure if a 22’ 90hp would do or not? That is the smallest I thought would work.

I cringe at the wind situations with a toon that I’ve seen. Will try to be smarter than that.

 

[Fester]

I’d prefer smaller 22’ if it worked. Not sure if a 22’ 90hp would do or not? That is the smallest I thought would work.

I cringe at the wind situations with a toon that I’ve seen. Will try to be smarter than that.

I’d prefer smaller 22’ if it worked. Not sure if a 22’ 90hp would do or not? That is the smallest I thought would work.

I cringe at the wind situations with a toon that I’ve seen. Will try to be smarter than that.

No, i would do 115hp on a 22. 90 in my opinion is to small to pull stuff with decent handling.

 

[Kurtr]

Mine was a 24 with a 90. I don’t know what is so scary about the wind. Had that thing out on Oahe and it took everything she had to offer and was never worried. Unless the toons full with water I don’t know how one could sink. If I ever get anything again it will be a boat. Not because I felt at a disadvantage but room for to many people meant I was captain of the party barge way to often. Was fun one time when it got windy and drunk people wouldn’t move to the back . Timed the waves right and washed the deck they then decided it was probably better to move back. Sold it a month later haven’t missed it .

 

[JUSTWINGNIT]

I have a 22ft tritoon with a 150 merc. Works good for everything as in tubing and skiing. The only thing i wish it would do better is getting to whip the older kids and adults easier when pulling a tube. It works but when people get cocky i wanna be able to give it the onion and show whats goin on. Mind you I have been able to to do that but it takes a bit more to do it. Unless i just suck. I also have it set up for salmon fishing. Kicks ass for that until a west/northwest wind kicks up on sak. Side winds blow in a toon when trolling at 2mph. I personally would go with the same 22 footer with the biggest motor possible. Your whole family will love it!

 

[KDM]

Mine was a 24 with a 90. I don’t know what is so scary about the wind. Had that thing out on Oahe and it took everything she had to offer and was never worried. Unless the toons full with water I don’t know how one could sink. If I ever get anything again it will be a boat. Not because I felt at a disadvantage but room for to many people meant I was captain of the party barge way to often. Was fun one time when it got windy and drunk people wouldn’t move to the back . Timed the waves right and washed the deck they then decided it was probably better to move back. Sold it a month later haven’t missed it .

So the wind WAS a problem, you recommend getting a boat, and you don't miss your toon. Got it!!

 

[Ericb]

Have a 25' tritoon with a 150. When my prop was in good condition I could maybe hit 30. Wind is definitely a factor when fishing but not unmanageable. The 36v minkota can manage it pretty well. I can pull 2 tubes and a boat full of people no problem. Some times I wish I had a bigger motor but I have never been in a situation where it was needed.

 

[Kurtr]

So the wind WAS a problem, you recommend getting a boat, and you don't miss your toon. Got it!!

Maybe slow down and try reading what i wrote.

Where did i say the wind was a problem please high light that?

 

[guywhofishes]

Maybe slow down and try reading what i wrote.

Where did i say the wind was a problem please high light that?

Drunk people were a problem?

How unusual.

 

[johnr]

Personally in the market too, however wanting a 25' or more, and for sure no less than a 200, preferable a 250hp.

 

[Traxion]

This won’t be a replacement of my current boat. I’ll be adding an additional pain in my ass as a family cruiser. So HP needs to provide the kids fun, not me lol.

 

[Allen]

My 24 ft tritoon with a 150 Merc 4S does (well, did) about 34 mph when I first got it. Dinged the prop a little over the years and it now does about 30 mph when it's just me onboard. Pulling a Big Mable tube with a couple kids on it and it's right around 22-24 mph, so plenty fast for some young kid thrills.

 

[JUSTWINGNIT]

This won’t be a replacement of my current boat. I’ll be adding an additional pain in my ass as a family cruiser. So HP needs to provide the kids fun, not me lol.

I also was hell bent against getting a toon. Fought the wife for years thinking it was going to be a pain in the ass to tow everywhere and launch. Its the opposite, at least with the trailer i have. I don't think you could eff up loading it. Maybe in a hard side wind. But anything sucks when that happens. And ya, I would definitely not want this to be the only thing I use for fishing. Nice to have the room when its not windy and everyone and their friends want to come along.

 

[Traxion]

I’m open to it. Just not excited about two rigs. Looking for something used. Shitty interior is ok. Retired dad can have a winter project lol!

Thanks for all the insight!