Another newbie pontoon owner

[Capt'n Jim]

Hello all!
As a newbie to the forum and to pontoon boat ownership I would like to introduce myself. I have recently acquired a neglected ’97 Bentley 20’ and plan to strip her down and do some “customizing” to her so I am sure that I will be here picking your brains and experience as to what works and what doesn’t. Although this is my first pontoon boat, it is not my only boat. Currently I have a 30’ sloop, a 1948 14’ runabout, a 9’ inflatable and 3 kayaks.
I plan the boat to be mostly be used as an afternoon/evening entertainment barge on the New River here in Ft. Lauderdale, and since it will be negotiating the many canals that we have here I plan to use two counter rotating smaller outboards rather than one larger single unit for brtter tight space control. This brings me to my first question….. I can’t find any pictures of pontoon boats with double outboards. Is there a reason I should not attempt this?
I am sure I will be returning to this site many times in the building of this new “party barge” and can hopefully add a few comments and seaworthy opinions along the way but for now “Hi everyone!”
Capt’n Jim

[cbavier]

Hello all!
As a newbie to the forum and to pontoon boat ownership I would like to introduce myself. I have recently acquired a neglected ’97 Bentley 20’ and plan to strip her down and do some “customizing” to her so I am sure that I will be here picking your brains and experience as to what works and what doesn’t. Although this is my first pontoon boat, it is not my only boat. Currently I have a 30’ sloop, a 1948 14’ runabout, a 9’ inflatable and 3 kayaks.
I plan the boat to be mostly be used as an afternoon/evening entertainment barge on the New River here in Ft. Lauderdale, and since it will be negotiating the many canals that we have here I plan to use two counter rotating smaller outboards rather than one larger single unit for brtter tight space control. This brings me to my first question….. I can’t find any pictures of pontoon boats with double outboards. Is there a reason I should not attempt this?
I am sure I will be returning to this site many times in the building of this new “party barge” and can hopefully add a few comments and seaworthy opinions along the way but for now “Hi everyone!”
Capt’n Jim

Never heard of a double motored Pontoon. Except of course a trolling motor. Second Welcome Aboard. I'm sure you will get some answers soon. How would you ever mount two motors on the back. Pontoons only one Pod with Transome. Oh yea come to think of it. Someone on the forum does have two Outboards mounted on the back. I remember seeing pictures of it last year.

[Bamaman]

A 20' pontoon boat is one of the smaller pontoon boats. I've never seen twin motors on any pontoon boat--other than a factory Mercury owned 29' pontoon with twin 300 Merc Verados.

If you need to turn in tight places, a 70 pound thrust trolling motor would be a much easier, simpler and cheaper way to maneuver your boat in tight canals. Some of the newer trolling motors have remote controls to steer with--nice.

[MrGadget]

Search: Google "Twin Outboard Pontoon"

[margaritaman]

We have a member that rebuilt a pontoon and put two 50hp outboards in his toon. LTB racing built one last year and posted some pictures of his rebuild. Follow this link and see his rebuild.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4055&start=45

[Ray Jr.]

Premier offers a twin engine PTX package too.

[Capt'n Jim]

Thanks to all for your reply, and special thanks out to Margaritaman for locating the LTB thread, I got a lot from the thread and hope I can get him to post another pic or two of the finished project. I will try to get out and get some shots as this project develops.

[playcat]

Weight and complexity are the likely reasons why we don't/have not seen any toons with twin small engines. After all, the weight and cost of two 50hp outboards is a lot more than a single 100. How about a conventional engine in back and maybe a Torqueedo electric outboard up front? Lots more power than any trolling motor, very quiet for those tranquil nights, and can be used along with the main engine to spin your toon like a top!!
I do like the wireless remote control trolling motor idea, also.