(Image credit unknown, found shared on Facebook.)
When it comes to buying a pontoon boat, whether new or used, the maximum horsepower available should be a very important consideration depending on what you will be using your boat for.
Below is a list containing 32 examples of the maximum horsepower available in some of the best pontoon boats that were released in 2017. This should act as a reference point, but of course, always check the manufacturer specifications before you buy.
- Aqua Patio 195C (19 foot) – max horsepower of 140hp
- Avalon Windjammer Quad Lounger 2585 (25 foot) – max horsepower of 150hp
- Bennington 23R Swingback (25 foot) – max horsepower of 150hp
- Bennington 25 QX Fastback (25 foot) – max horsepower of 400hp
- Bennington 25RSFBA (25 foot) – max horsepower of 300hp
- Bennington QR27 10 Wide (27 foot) – max horsepower of 250hp
- Berkshire 25 Sport RFX9 3.0+ (25 foot) – max horsepower of 300hp
- Cypress Cay Seabreeze 191 (19 foot) – max horsepower of 60hp
- Cypress Cay Seabreeze 211 (22 foot) – max horsepower of 115 hp (2 tube model) or 150hp (3 tubes)
- Cypress Cay Seabreeze 233 (23 foot) – max horsepower of 150hp (2 tubes) or 200hp (3 tubes)
- G3 SunCatcher V322 SS (22 foot) – max horsepower of 225 hp
- Harris Crowne SL 250 (25 foot) – max horsepower of 400hp
- Harris Grand Mariner 250 (25 foot) – max horsepower of 200hp (2 tubes) or 400hp (3 tubes)
- Lowe Infinity 270 RFL (27 foot) – max horsepower of 300hp
- Lowe Retreat 230 RFL (23 foot) – max horsepower of 150hp
- Manitou 23 Legacy SHP 575 (24 foot) – max horsepower of 300hp
- Manitou 25 X-Plode XT SHP (25 foot) – max horsepower of 300hp
- Premier 220 Castaway (22 foot) – max horsepower of 115hp
- Premier 250 Solaris RF (25 foot) – max horsepower of 115hp
- Premier 250 Velocity (25 foot) – max horsepower of 250hp
- Premier 260 Grand Entertainer (26 foot) – max horsepower of 300hp
- Princecraft Vectra 25 LT (25 foot) – max horsepower of 115hp to 200hp
- Regency 220 DL3 (25 foot) – max horsepower of 250hp
- Regency 254 LE3 (25 foot) – max horsepower of 350hp
- South Bay 523 RS DC (24 foot) – max horsepower of 200hp
- Starcraft EX 23 C SG (23 foot) – max horsepower of 150hp (2 tubes) or 250hp (3 tubes)
- Sun Tracker Bass Buggy (18 foot) – max horsepower of 75hp
- SunChaser Eclipse 8525 Entertainer (25 foot) – max horsepower of 175hp
- Sweetwater SW 1880 (18 foot) – max horsepower of 80hp
- Sylvan Mandalay 8525 Sportlounger (25 foot) – max horsepower of 200hp
- Tahoe 2385 Cascade (23 foot) – max horsepower of 125hp
- Trifecta 23RF T 2.75 (23 foot) – max horsepower of 200hp
Why is Engine Power Important?
The horsepower of your pontoon engine is important, and it should be something that you consider when buying a boat.
Handy Hint: Horsepower (hp) is how we measure power. The term was adopted in the ate 18th century, and since then it has been the standard unit of measurement used to define how powerful engines are – including those on pontoon boats.
One unit of mechanical horsepower is defined as being how much energy it would take to lift 550 pounds for one foot in one second.
With pontoon engines, when you see the hp rating listed on the boat specification, that will tell you how powerful it is, and how well it will be able to push your boat.
For example, some smaller pontoons only have a maximum horsepower of 75hp. That’s not going to be enough to pull water skiers or tubers, whereas pontoons with 250hp will have ample enough pulling power.
To put things further into perspective, small metal fishing boats can have horsepower ratings that’s as little as 10 to 20hp. That’s all they need for their purpose.
Handy Hint: You can see the full definition of horsepower on Wikipedia for more in-depth and comprehensive information.
How Much Pontoon Boat Horsepower Will You Need?
As I mentioned earlier, it’s really depends on what you want to do with your pontoon. Horsepower tends to get higher the larger the boat, which can also have an impact on how much you will have to spend.
So, there are some important considerations here.
Ultimately though it’s all down to what your boat will be doing, your plans, and what you need from the engine.
But do you need to get as much horsepower as you can when buying a pontoon boat? No, not necessarily, and let me tell you why.
I own a pontoon boat with a 115hp engine on it. I can take 10 people on board and still get decent speeds of up to 24 miles per hour. Not bad eh?
The main things I do with my pontoon are water sports and fishing. With that performance, I can easily pull my kids behind the boat. Even with a 90hp engine you could do some good tube pulling with the kids… although that will struggle pulling adults, which is where the 115hp comes in very handy!
In terms of speed, the horsepower on most engines doesn’t make a massive difference to pulling, unless you’ve got a large load on board. For example, with a smaller power engine you will have to leave some passengers on shore when you pull. With a bigger engine though, you can pull easily, and have plenty of people on deck at the same time.
It’s all about the pulling power.
Before you make a decision on what boat to buy and how much pontoon horsepower you need, talk to the dealer and also get down to the water and chat with other pontooners.
Should I Upgrade My Pontoon Boat Horsepower?
When you buy a pontoon boat from new, you will sometimes have the option to choose for a higher horsepower engine. The dealer will advise you on the maximum limit that you can go for so as not to exceed the transom limits.
The difference between a 90hp engine and a 115hp one can be around 3 miles per hour when out on the water.
That doesn’t sound like much admittedly, but it could make a big difference when pulling tubes, or how many passengers you have on board.
Upgrading really depends on your plans. If you are just going to be going for leisurely fishing trips by yourself or with a buddy, then it’s not worth doing. Your standard factory-installed motor and engine will be enough for just scooting around and chilling out.
But if your pontoon boat is going to be multi-functional or used for water sports and family activity it could be a great decision. That extra bit of horsepower could be the difference between a few miles per hour and pulling power.
Do Pontoon Boats Have Horsepower Limits?
Yes, they do, and there’s a good reason too.
When pontoon boats are manufactured, they go through a testing phase to see what engine power they can safely run at, way before any dangerous stability problems kick in.
The brand and model of your boat will have been tested thoroughly to give a horsepower limit. If you are considering upgrading to a more powerful engine, please do check with the manufacturer to check what the maximum limit is so you don’t waste money or put yourself in danger.
There are also legal considerations to take.
The US Coast Guard keep a close eye on boaters exceeding their safe horsepower limits, and it’s not unheard of for pontooners to be pulled over and charged for riding illegally.
If you do really want more pontoon horsepower, then rather than adding a new motor to your boat that might not be suitable, I would instead consider buying a larger boat with a more powerful engine.
How Can I Check My Pontoon HP Rating?
If you want to find out what your maximum horsepower limit is then you check the manufacturer specification. If it’s an older pontoon with no references available online or in print, then you need to find the capacity plate, which should be on your boat.
They look something like this:
This is what a boat capacity decal, plate, or sticker looks like.
Most pontoons will have a capacity plate or decal. If you can’t find yours, then you should consult with the manufacturer. Phone them up.
It’s also worth knowing that it could be a legal requirement and will help with proof of insurance to have the capacity plate sticker on your boat.
Can Too Much Pontoon Horsepower Be Dangerous?
It certainly can.
If you fit and install a new engine to your pontoon that exceeds the limit, then you are at risk of injury of death. For example, would you place a 300hp engine on those small fishing boats I mentioned earlier?
No, you wouldn’t, because they simply aren’t built for that and could flip, capsize, or even break apart at high speeds. That’s not much fun.
In a real-world example, let’s look at one of the pontoons I highlighted earlier, the 18-foot Sun Tracker Bass Buggy. It’s got a 75hp engine on the back and is designed purely to be a fishing pontoon boat.
If you come along and strap a 300hp engine to it, you’re going to get yourself into trouble. Not only will you probably scare any fish away, but the boat is going to kick-on really fast and possibly hurt you. I could imagine it might start to break up underneath, flip over, and probably toss you overboard.
What is the Law?
Every state has different laws and regulations regarding boating, and you can view those on this link here. Regardless, it will probably be illegal where you live to exceed the transom maximum horsepower limits on any boat (source).
I would imagine that you would also invalidate your pontoon boat insurance and any warranties that came when you purchased from the dealer.
You should also make sure that you have a capacity plate sticker clearly visible on board your boat at all time. If you have lost it, go buy a replacement.
Final Thoughts
The engine power on most pontoon boats will range between 40hp to 300hp. If you do decide to upgrade your engine, please check with the manufacturer to find out what’s safe and has been tested with your boat.
During the manufacturing phase, the boat builders will run tests to see what engine power the boat can handle, way before it gets anywhere near being dangerous.
In truth, you could spend a couple of thousand dollars on a new, more high-powered engine, but the reality is it might not make a massive difference.
But, as we know, people use their pontoons for different purposes, and a low horsepower engine will be absolutely fine for cruising in lakes or similar activities. If you want a more fun ride with all the leisure activities that pontoons are renowned for, then opt for something with a bit more power.
