See full version: Tritoon vs. Pontoon
Pontoon boats are offered in a wide variety of sizes and a styles, with options that make it possible to create a basic lake cruiser, a luxury entertainment platform, a fishing machine or a performance pontoon ready for tow sports and speedy runs across the lake. One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when considering a new pontoon boat is the choice between a two-tube, or three-tube design—otherwise known as a "tritoon."
Pontoon boats may also be offered with a choice of tube diameter. Today many mid-size (20 foot long) and larger pontoons are offered with 25-inch diameter tubes, with an extra-cost option of 27-inch diameter tubes. The larger tubes increase the boat’s capacity and also improve its performance and comfort in rougher water. [links]
There’s nothing wrong with a twin-tube pontoon, but the design has some limitations. In turns the twin-tube pontoon will lean to the outside, or away from, the turn. This is not an issue at lower speeds, but as speed increases this can be uncomfortable for passengers and cause the boat to slide, rather than carve, through the turn. For this reason the rated horsepower of twin-tube pontoons is limited.
I agree. I have considered the possibility of a jack plate, so as a lost resort I'll go that direction. Typically, I'm a bigger, longer, the better type, but in this case I'm realizing that's not necessarily true. After measuring my boat the other day, I need to go about 18'3" to get past, and bolt up to the 18' cross member of the boat, so I'm thinking 18'3" right now.
Re: Adding a Third Toon, Ideal length?
I'm glad you've got a welder that can weld aluminum and fabricate. They're really not easy to find.
Re: Adding a Third Toon, Ideal length?
Edit to add:
Our new toon came with the lifting strakes on the middle toon and insides of the two outer toons but none on the outside. We lost a little speed vs strakes on all sides but they also drop the middle toon a little over an inch as well which makes for a good handling boat. So far I have noticed with the drop toon configuration it handles boat wakes more like a v hull with side to side roll unlike a tritoon with strakes on all sides that plows through it, so it isn't quite as smooth sometimes as some of the other tritoons I've been on. It is fun to be able to nearly lay the rub rails down in the water though when taking a tight turn. here
#8 Post by willy13 » Sat Jun 25, 2016 8:47 am here
First, thanks for all the input!
Most tritoons with lifting strakes on all 3 toons and 115hp engines only run into the low 30's. The lifting strakes on the inside toon only can work, but you will typically have a less efficient hull design vs your two toon boat up to planing speed (high teens to low 20's typically). A friend bought a tritoon Bentley with a 115 a couple of years back and I told him on a good day, one person, half a tank of gas he'd be lucky to hit 35 and he didn't believe me (I had cheated and looked at the performance bulletins). A two toon boat without strakes hit's high 20's to low 30's with the same configuration. They do have a redesigned motor pod that almost acts like a third toon or that pontoon water glide on the newer boats that run mid 30's on a two toon with a 150. here
Considerations for Three-Tube Pontoon Boats here
If entertaining is more par for the course, a three-tube pontoon boat’s larger capacity can fit up to 10 people or more, with room for cooking appliances and other additions. here
Newer, faster pontoon boats are often equipped with three tubes underneath the deck. These three-tube pontoons offer better balance and weight distribution, and can handle more powerful engines that make for a more stable ride, but are they worth the extra cost?
· A larger trailer might be required. Due to the larger size of a three-tube pontoon boat, a larger trailer is usually required to support the middle tube as well as the longer hull. here
Before purchasing a new three-tube pontoon, there are a few factors to consider to ensure fun, safe, and memorable trips to the water: here