Hyd. Elec for a small Pontoon

[Mark Emaus]

Ok Everyone,

I am new to this site and need a lot of help. I am building an 18 foot pontoon boat that we will use to hunt and fish with. It will weigh about 1500 pound. The pontoons are 22 inches high by 15 inches wide. They are flat on the bottom. I want to be able to go around 15 mph and be able to run through weeds and mud. The pontoons will be around 7 inches in the water. I was leaning towards the hyd. side but I have no idea on what size engine. to run to drive what size pump to drive what size hyd. motor. I am open to suggestions and or sites to help in this project. I was thinking of a 30 to 90 hp. engine, (such as a Rotax, Subrau, etc) to power the hyd. pump. Or can elec. power be an option in terms of price of a hyd system?

Take her away!