Pontoon boat HP for tubing

I'm interested in buying a used pontoon boat for tubing and I'm looking for recomendations on HP. The length I'm looking for is about 18'-20'. I'm not looking to go 50 mph or anything, just fast enough to have teenagers enjoy the ride. Thanks in advance for the info.

In my experience, pontoons are inherently less than ideal for tubing at all if the goal is a "fun" ride. Can a 'toon pull a tube? Sure, plenty of people do it all the time. But, knowing you're not going to get more than 20mph out of the boat, you have to recognize the limitations. Remember, too, that you have to have someone watching the tube rider. Wardens and sheriffs can and do pull over pontooners for missing this. Had a renter once who took one out with his girlfriend and another couple, dropped the other couple off at a bar, and then the girlfriend got in the tube. They came back to my dock on a rope courtesty of the sheriff - expensive tickets not only for the lack of a safety observer, but they were both over the legal BAC. Oops. Be careful out there!

Tim, I have a 22 ft pontoon with a 60 HP bigfoot. I would not want anything smaller for tubing, and really I would imagine that a 75 HP would be even better. Good luck LB

We had a 20' with a 50hp and for tubing with 60 lb kids no problem.When they got 100 lbs it was hard on the boat and almost impossible to "give me the whip".Agree on as large a hp you can afford.

Tim, Most of today's motors of 60 HP or larger will work to pull teenagers around on a Pontoon boat of up to 22'....I might suggest getting as large a Horsepower motor as is affordable, as the engine will last longer, in that it won't have to work as hard with the load factor of persons, coolers loaded with ice and drinks, and such....plus the extra HP will make the resale of the boat better when it comes time to sell this boat.... Lou

passanger weight: 200 200 110 130 170

big kids,little kids,1,2 or 3? makes a big difference.