How to Put an Outboard Motor on an 25 Foot Pontoon Boat

While most pontoon boats are powered by inboard motors, many are powered by outboard motors instead. This allows for better maneuverability, slightly lighter weight and better fuel efficiency. It is a great option for pontoon boat owners to convert their boats to run on outboards; beware, however, that 25-foot pontoon boats will require a large outboard, which means that you may need to install a bracket instead of a stand. The whole process may take up to a week and will require prior experience with motors.

Things You'll Need

  • Outboard bracket
  • Marker
  • Power drill
  • Wrench
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Pull your boat out onto steady ground. Hold the bracket up against the back of the boat and make some marks where holes should be drilled for bolts, using a marker. Set the bracket down on the ground.

    • 2

      Use the power drill to drill through the marked places. Have an assistant hold the bracket up at the center and match the drilled holes with the holes on the bracket. Drive the bolts that came with the brackets through the holes and secure from the other side with nuts and a wrench.

    • 3

      Hold the outboard up against the bracket. Match the securing holes on the outboard with the holes on the bracket and drive the bolts that came with the outboard through. Secure the bolts with nuts.

    • 4

      Pull the motor towards the boat until the motor is parallel to the boat and perpendicular to the water. As the angle of pontoon boat's transoms is always 0 degrees, the angle of the motor should also be 0 degrees. However, if your transom is not perpendicular to the water (as on irregularly shaped pontoons), then raise the motor's angle so that the bottom of the motor is an inch higher for every 10mph that your boat can achieve above the speed of 40mph.