Here is a little dose of reality on toons.
Buddy just bought a 2022 Harris with 150 on it. Pontoon, not tritoon. It's loaded, and this model Solstice 23 is on the high end for "pontoons" with JL audio throughout, and Simrad in the dash. It was just shy of $90K list and will top out just shy of 30mph. This is pretty normal.
Other buddy, bought his used Bennington "tritoon" with Yamaha 150 for around $35K 5 years ago, with sealegs and trailer. If he spec'd this boat now it would be pushing $125K. These boats are not even in the same realm as the SeaDoo switch for luxury and comfort, let alone space.
Yes, 150hp is a very common motor for pontoons. It's considered the max hp on most pontoons. Entry level toons at the dealers in our region are usually 90-115hp, allowing them to hit a price point between $25k-$30K. Most of the units with larger hp are Tritoons, as it's needed to handle the power and weight. The Tri listed above is actually rated for 250hp. With the 150 Yamaha it tops around 32mph. With a 250hp, it may pull 35-37mph.
Honestly, nobody should be running these faster than that, they are just not safe until you get "tuned-toons" In other words, the Bennington above has elliptical toons, which are shaped for cornering. With a much larger center toon, allowing it to bank corners like a hull. You would never pull these maneuvers with a pontoon, and for sure not with any large HP. And those crazy Dual motor toons are usually a 10' beam tritoon for stability.
As far as the motor and where the water line sits, I have faith that BRP has that under control. SeaDoo watercraft are multi-piece hulls and they have some great magic for keeping water out of those air boxes. This should not be much of an issue in those outboards as they could be mostly submerged as long as the airbox stays dry. Our SXS engines live underwater as long as the airbox and exhaust are open.
I do have grand ideas of a hydraulic swim deck still for these toons. Seats at the water's edge, what a novel idea.
