Hi all,

My brother is building a very small houseboat based on a 24' pontoon
boat.

I have calculated the load capacity of the pontoons and come up with
3000 lbs maximum.

The boat is fitted with a 1970 era outboard motor, from the model
number a 60 hp johnson 2 stroke.

This motor was off a small ski boat.

Given he wants to cruise along the Mississippi river is there a better
option to power the thing. Estimates of a cruise speed of 10 knots for
4 or 5 hours a day are being considered.

Any comments are appreciated.

specifically - would a 20 hp do the job ?
- should he look at changing the propeller for maximum low
speed operation.

He is considering a second outboard for backup anyway.