kaydano
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Hi All - First time poster and new forum member here. I've been reading this whole site and the info is AWESOME! Thanks to all of you that post!
We'll be buying one of the newly designed SSL models (2012) in September. The single, double-wide rear lounger is like nothing we've ever seen on a pontoon before. It's like a love seat couch. Perfect. See photo. We've been looking for a pontoon for 6 years (been on a waiting list for a slip) and when we ran across the SSL, we KNEW this was the one!
I'm concerned about it having enough speed to satisfy the kids tubing, and eventually wake boarding and skiing when they get older and heavier (ages 12 and 8 now)...
The 24' SSL will have a 115 HP Mercury, express 3rd tube package and lifting strakes on all tubes. We made the deal subject to a satisfactory test drive with sufficient speed. I was told by 2 dealers it should hit 35 MPH... I feel like it needs to run 27-28 with the boat about half loaded with people, fuel, gear to be adequate. Last thing we want is for the kids to NOT have fun, and not want to go boating.
My concern is with the brand new motor needing a break-in period prior to running it full throttle, will I do any significant motor damage running it wide open just long enough to get a GPS speed reading so I can make sure it's the boat we want? I'd go with the bigger 150 HP, but our budget for this is maxed out with the 115 HP.
Should I trust the dealers on the 35 MPH speed estimate?
Or should we run the boat full speed at the test drive and break the break-in "rules" (and possibly void the warranty - Hadn't thought about that until just now - They'll see that on the computer probably)?
Any advice or ideas are appreciated!
This boat is very similar to the SLi, best I can tell. It would be great if someone out there had this same (or similar) set up and could pass along some speed info. Thanks!
We'll be buying one of the newly designed SSL models (2012) in September. The single, double-wide rear lounger is like nothing we've ever seen on a pontoon before. It's like a love seat couch. Perfect. See photo. We've been looking for a pontoon for 6 years (been on a waiting list for a slip) and when we ran across the SSL, we KNEW this was the one!
I'm concerned about it having enough speed to satisfy the kids tubing, and eventually wake boarding and skiing when they get older and heavier (ages 12 and 8 now)...
The 24' SSL will have a 115 HP Mercury, express 3rd tube package and lifting strakes on all tubes. We made the deal subject to a satisfactory test drive with sufficient speed. I was told by 2 dealers it should hit 35 MPH... I feel like it needs to run 27-28 with the boat about half loaded with people, fuel, gear to be adequate. Last thing we want is for the kids to NOT have fun, and not want to go boating.
My concern is with the brand new motor needing a break-in period prior to running it full throttle, will I do any significant motor damage running it wide open just long enough to get a GPS speed reading so I can make sure it's the boat we want? I'd go with the bigger 150 HP, but our budget for this is maxed out with the 115 HP.
Should I trust the dealers on the 35 MPH speed estimate?
Or should we run the boat full speed at the test drive and break the break-in "rules" (and possibly void the warranty - Hadn't thought about that until just now - They'll see that on the computer probably)?
Any advice or ideas are appreciated!
This boat is very similar to the SLi, best I can tell. It would be great if someone out there had this same (or similar) set up and could pass along some speed info. Thanks!
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