Pontoon Boat Motors

I am interested in buying a "family" boat - just something to get us out on the water, enjoying the sun, etc. However, some of the local places (lakes in the state forest) allow only electric motors - no gasoline engines. In other words, a trolling motor. Of course, this is fine for a row boat or bass boat (for fishing), but can a trolling motor push a pontoon boat through the water? Thanks!
Please - boat experts only -- not just guesses. I'm already guessing :) SMILE!

The Best way to do it,is buy a pontoon with 2 motors on it.. A pontoon moves thru the water much easier than a normal boat so you can get away with Lower horsepower engines.. and theres no reason a trolling motor wont work.. but when your on a lake where Motors are allowed.. I feel you wont be satisfied with a trollingt Motor alone... a 9.9 does a good job.. you can just tilt it up when on a electric motor lake.. in some cases rarely but you may be required to remove the prop...Good Luck

2006-10-02 08:19:50 by Hope this helps

this is a test of a pontoon boat with three trolling motors on a custom built pontoon boat that range in price from $1800 to $5800 come visit us ...

My pontoon is a late 90's model and i put a used 50hp Johnson on it but got scammed so i'm going for a new engine. What HP motor should i get in an etek without weighing down the back of a pontoon boat to bad? And are these engines lighter than honda engines?

a 40hp Etec is heavier that a 40hp honda

here is an excellent forum discussion regarding comparison of a 40hp Etec with a 40hp honda

from the site it actually shows that the Etec is 35lbs heavier.

"When checking out any of the motors forget the competition just check out the performance reports on boats similar to yours.I think you will find the Etec 40 has a better hole shot,fewer less complicated service intervals.I believe no service required for 300 hrs or 3 years,also no breakin required.also an excellent warranty.Etec is heavier 240 to 205 "

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php? t=284756

more info

http://www.evinrude.com/en-CA/Engines/ET EC_INLINES/ETEC_40_INLINE

2010-06-04 11:13:30 by Dtrain

Price: $699.99 $699.99

Ultra-quiet trolling motor with 68 pounds of thrust and 48-inch shaft
Digital Maximizer technology helps battery run 5 times longer on single charge
Quick-release lever for fast motor deployment

My old cajun bass boat it in pretty bad shape but the motor (a 90 HP Johnson) runs like a top. At least it did when I last cranked it two years ago. I used to own a lot on a private 800 acre lake but sold it. Now, I want to explore the local public waters but my 16 foot boat doesn't take waves very well. There is a 33,000 acre lake near my house that gets quite rough in those unexpected summer storms. Anyway, is there any advantage to selling my old boat but not the motor then finding a pontoon boat with no motor and putting mine on it?

A 90 HP motor is PLENTY big for a pontoon up to 24 or 28 feet. Most toons use 50HP, and 35 was the popular choice up until about 10 years ago.

I have a 24 footer and it will do 19-20 mph with a 50 on it.

Beware though, pontoon boats are not good in large waves. Three to four footers are pretty hard on a toon, and if water washes over the deck, you stand a good chance of losing rails, furniture, etc. Pontoons are really for calmer lakes. Just make sure that the motor is the right length (most are 20") so that the cav plate is in the water the correct amount.

2007-05-30 07:39:52 by jimmy t

Price: $399.99 $399.99

Compact Mount
Indestructible Composite Shaft that is Guaranteed for Life
Two Year Warranty

I have built a 3 hull 8 man pontoon boat. It is 13' x 8'. It has three hull's and a wood framed platform 10' x 8'. There is a tiki hut framed canopy covering the platform with 3' high bamboo siding around the perimeter. There is wood framed benches running along the back and both sides. I have framed a 2" x 6" motor mount along the back of the hull's. I'm thinking of getting a 8 to 9.9 hp outboard motor for it. I have not the slightest clue how I'm going to steer this boat. There is a 3' low wall that runs along the back of the boat and the out board motor will mount about 2'-6" behind the captains seat. How can I connect a steering system or connect an extension to the throtle where I can steer the boat? Please help?

get yourself some PTO cables, secure em to the motor bracket, you can use a steering wheel but youll only be turning like 130 degrees total so a lever would do just as well.

some people preffer a strait mechanical linkage, like steering on a truck, but for a little pontoon that wasnt built to have remote steering, it would be more cost effective to use PTO cables.

i wish i could post a drawing i just made... it makes perfect sense when you 'see' it.

2007-07-27 19:08:15 by Jason H

We are looking at a pontoon with a 2003 Johnson 115 HP 4 Stroke engine. I can't find any ratings or reviews like JD Power or Consumer Reports. Can anyone help me find out about this type of motor?

2003 johnsons 4 strokes are good but stay away from the ficth models they blow

2008-07-02 18:34:19 by TheFamilyMan