Summer is about to officially start, but many people are already experiencing hotter temperatures. Whether it’s officially summer or not, those temperatures are driving people to the water. If you own a boat like a pontoon, then you can spend these warm days enjoying yourself on the water.

However, the only way your pontoon will get on the water is with the right engine. Outboard motors are a popular engine option for pontoons, but choosing the right one is difficult. Ask yourself the following questions to discern which motor option is best for your boat and lifestyle.

What Is Your Outboard Budget?

When you first connect with an outboard dealer or walk through a boating store, you’ll see a range of beautiful motors. Unless you have an unlimited budget, which is rare, you can’t afford just any motor. You need to set a budget for yourself before you start shopping.

The key to sticking to your budget is to make it realistic. Research the average cost of outboard motors, and then calculate how much you can afford to spend. Write these numbers down so you know your financial limits and can find an affordable outboard you love.

How Wide Is Your Pontoon?

Budget isn’t the only thing to keep in mind while shopping for an outboard. The size of your pontoon will play a big part in your decision-making process as well.

Pontoons tend to come in small, medium, and large widths. The small width measures around 7 to 8 feet across; the medium width measures around 8 to 10 feet across; and the large width measures around 12 to 15 feet across. While you can find pontoons smaller, larger, or in between these averages, these are the most common sizes.

These common sizes inform the motor industry. Measure your boat width before shopping so you can find the appropriately sized motor.

How Many Tubes Does Your Pontoon Have?

Pontoon boats get their name from the hollow tubes that keep them afloat, so it’s obvious that these tubes impact motor choice as well. Traditionally, there are two types of pontoons: two-tube and three-tube.

Two-tube pontoons are the original model for pontoon boats as we know them today. They are stable on the water, easy to maneuver, and ideal for calm water activities such as fishing. Three-tube pontoons are an enhanced version of this traditional model. They improve upon the stability and maneuverability of two-tube pontoons and work better at higher speeds. The extra support of the middle tube makes them ideal for water sports such as tubing or frequently choppy waters.

Three-tube pontoons are often larger than two-tube pontoons because they have an extra tube on the bottom for better support. This means you will need a more powerful engine for a three-tube pontoon than you would for a two-tube one.

How Do You Use Your Pontoon?

The activities you plan to do on your pontoon, regardless of its size, should inform your outboard motor decision. If you expect to participate in water sports like tubing, then you will need a powerful outboard motor to keep up with activity demands. Active two-tube pontoons will need a more powerful engine than casual two-tube pontoons. However, they often don’t need as much power as a three-tube pontoon.

If you don’t expect to participate in activities that require power, then you can focus your search on smaller outboard motors. While you should look for a motor that can support whatever size pontoon you have, you don’t need to take these intense activities into consideration.

Some people think they will save money if they buy a smaller outboard and only occasionally participate in water sports. However, this can hurt your engine in the long run. If you know you will participate in water sports, even on an occasional basis, invest in a larger engine. Your engine and pontoon will thank you.

How Many People Use Your Pontoon?

The number of people you plan to have on board your pontoon will also affect your outboard motor choice. The more people on board, the more your outboard must work to move your boat. If you’re planning to host large groups on your pontoon, then you should invest in a more powerful motor. While the motor you pick may provide more power than you need when you’re boating in small groups, the extra power will come in handy during your hosting adventures.

If you know you’ll never host large groups on your pontoon, then you can safely invest in a smaller motor. You can focus more on the size of your boat and anticipated activity level instead of the hosting number. On the off chance that you do end up hosting a larger group once a season or so, you’ll simply need to keep your pontoon in calm water at a low speed with few activities.

How Much Horsepower Do You Want?

Various factors such as size, activity level, and the number of people on board will inform how much horsepower you need from your engine. However, you know your boat and what you want to get out of your boating experience. Consider how much horsepower you want to experience on the water.

Most two-tube pontoons work well with 100 to 150 horsepower (hp). Most three-tube pontoons work well with 150 to 300 hp. You can power a two-tube pontoon as low as 50 hp, but this low horsepower will limit how many guests you can have on board and what activities you can do. Alternatively, you can use up to 400 hp on a three-tube pontoon, but you may find this amount of power overwhelming during calmer periods of use.

Do You Have a Preferred Outboard Brand?

All these questions can help you choose the right outboard motor for your pontoon. The last question you should ask yourself is if you have any brand preferences. Some people are loyal to specific engine brands because they’ve used them before. Others prefer to try new brands that promise new water experiences.

We recommend Yamaha outboards to everyone looking for a new motor. These outboards are reliable and will perform well on the water for a long time. If you want to invest in a great motor, consider a Yamaha.

As Yamaha outboard dealers, we know that Yamaha has some of the best engines available for your pontoon. Contact us today so you can find the best outboard motor for your pontoon.