Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hello. I have a '96 premier 25 ft tritoon with a '09 Suzuki df150. The boat has been a project for us for a long time. I'm really pleased with the floorplan, and the interior restore went well. I'm pleased with the boat's performance with the exception of bow lift. Running with 2 people, and a 17p lexor 3 blade, I can get into the low 30s and see around half of the logs lift out of the water at full throttle and 3/4 trim. If anyone sits on the front couches at all, we lose all bow lift and the logs begin to dig in and spray even in a bit of a chop. The boat does not have any strakes presently. I have considered adding 4" strakes, possibly a 15" jackplate due to the transom being inset on the center log. Maybe a better choice in props. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I know a boat of this age won't preform like the newer ones, but if I could increase the way it carries weight on the bow I would be fine.

Most cost effective solution; don’t let them sit in the front while you’re underway.

Does it have underskinning? I do and I am a little faster running into the wind--plus it keeps the water chop from hitting the cross members. And yes--no people in the front when running. Strakes will probably be the number one thing to do...

What is your rpm with a wide-open throttle?

If you add strakes all the way to the stern, they could push your bow down more. We have cut off the rear 12" - 30" of strake to get bow lift on some older pontoons.

My old heavy 25' with 2-tubes and a 115 hp motor, no strakes - is not able to lift the front of the tubes out of the water at all. My top speed is 26-27 with a light load. I just plow through the water all of the time while throwing a variable bow wake, depending upon how many people are onboard. Putting 4-6 people upfront (where everyone wants to sit) increases the plowing, reducing my speed.

When loaded up with a crowd, I just cruise at 4,200 to 4500 rpm at around 19-21 MPH. Pushing it up to 5800 RPM (WOT) gets me to 24 MPH and almost doubles my fuel burn rate.

There is a big difference between a 22' with 150 HP and a 25' with the same motor. The boats that I see running fast with a lot lift, are either smaller boats or have bigger HP. My neighbor with a 25' tri-toon with a 250 on it, gets the front half of the tubes up with lots of people seated right up front.

Hopefully, some folks with 25' boats with 150 HP can offer their experiences.

rbtnt wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 11, 2020 5:45 pm

If you add strakes all the way to the stern, they could push your bow down more. We have cut off the rear 12" - 30" of strake to get bow lift on some older pontoons.

Huh? Sounds like a set up issue motor height trim etc.

The best way to get the bow up is more power..a LOT more power Tweaking a pontoon to get better performance is like trying to make a drag boat out of a dumpster.

That being said---hydraulic jack plates, prop work, underskinning and strakes all will help...and dont sit in the front....

Boat is skinned underneath. 150 is the max hp and that's where I am. Not an option moving em to the back...max rpms are 5500 wot. Considering going down a couple I chest in pitch or a different style prop before the strakes.