Sylvan's RPT Toon Problems?

[Pesimist]

I bought a Sylvan Signature 8522 with "RPT" toons in March 2010. Haven't had much luck with the reliability of the RPT toons. Soon after purchase, left toon nose section cracked at a joining weld, then a few months later the right toon cracked (same place) as the one on the right toon.

On the good side, Sylvan repaced both toons last fall but, now the left toon is leaking again.

I've babied this pontoon boat, don't trailer it, live on a lake & lift it out of the water when not in use (vertical lift) positioned under the deck.

Anyone else having the same problems, and if so - what is the fix?

Thanks

[ToonGuy]

I do not own one. How ever, I'm local to the company, and the problems are bigger than you would think. Those tubes are constantly snached up by the "Salvage Dealers/Builders" in this area. One of them told me every single one he gets was a warranty and had to be repaired some where. If you do a search on ebay for MidAmerican pontoons you will probably see some on the boats they "manufacture". Often they try to take the pics so it only shows the top of the tubes. I also find it interesting that they don't ever make mention what tubes are on them...you would think it would be a selling point for most sellers. Maybe they don't want any one researching them

[BobG]

I do not own one. How ever, I'm local to the company, and the problems are bigger than you would think. Those tubes are constantly snached up by the "Salvage Dealers/Builders" in this area.

Well, it would appear that they are trying hard to keep it off the Internet. Google doesn't seem to be turning up anything on this, and they're hyping their RPT technology as the best thing since the invention of the vag... er, sliced bread

[lakerunner]

I remember when Misty Harbor came out with their planing tube toon. The had all kinds of problems with cracks. Seems to me any time you put that kind of stress on thin aluminum it causes problems. My buddy has a Voyager made the second year they made 3 log. He has had 2 replaced under warranty and now all three leak under the strakes. Voyager won't honor lifetime warranty anymore on his toon.

[smlranger]

Wow, I was regretting not getting the RPT tubes on the Sylvan I bought new a couple of years ago. Now I am glad I have the round tubes without strakes.

[icon93]

So far so good with mine although it is still new. My uncle has a 2009 or 2010 8522 Fish and Cruise and one of his toons leak. Performance wise, I have been very impressed with both speed and handling.

[rebelrude]

How can you tell the difference between an RPT toon and a regular one? I have a 2009 sylvan 8520 elite cruise with 25" toons but don't know what type.

[WILD MAN]

How can you tell the difference between an RPT toon and a regular one? I have a 2009 sylvan 8520 elite cruise with 25" toons but don't know what type.

RPT toons are shaped like a v-hull on the bottom

[ronb]

I asked myself that same question.. so I went internet searching and found this article..

Fast 'Toons
By Robert Stephens, Photos by John Linn
http://www.newboats.com/boatArticle/btg ... fast-toons

Lots of good info for me as a new guy.. but if you scroll down a bit you will get to a section where they start talking about the various ways that manufacuturers have tried to make 'toon faster and they have a very small blurb on the RPT

RPT (SYLVAN)
What It Is: Top two-thirds of the tube is round, but toward the bottom the shape cuts in and forms a V, reducing the amount of mass moving through the water.
Our Test: With a 200 hp Evinrude HO powering a 22-foot Signature, top speed was 45 mph; time to 30 mph was 5.7 seconds.

And they also have a website..
http://www.sylvanmarine.com/Why/RPT/

-ron

[rebelrude]

Thanks, that explains it and I now know I don't have RPT toons on my boat.

[rancherlee]

I can see why they have problems with leaks/cracking on that design, WAY too many welds/seams. A better Idea would have been to use round tubes and make a full width bottom that welds on like strakes with a 3" weld every foot or so. For their design to be reliable it would need to use quite a bit thicker material than a standard pontoon. I take my 1970's technology Octagon tubes, Flat bottoms = good lift! NEVER had water in any of the ones I've bought, and some were in pretty bad shape with dings and dents all over. I can believe no one else has done Octagon tube, unless Kennedy still holds a patent on them after all these years. The only that is similar is Ercoa with its Hexagon tube, which also came out in the 70's.

[peapenl]

Had 2010 Mandalay triple tube with the RPT ,and had one replaced. The welds on the new tube didnt look any better,and Sylvan was very slow to react to any thing. Sold it the following spring. Was so happy to get rid of it

[Pesimist]

Considering the problems I've had with the RPT toons, I wouldn't recommend Sylvan. The Party Tracker I had before this Sylvan never had any problems like this, had it for 17-years.

Can only imagine crack after crack in the future.

[gramps]

I think I would consider selling it or trading it in on another toon. Why have the worry for several years.

[icon93]

Both my pontoons have leaked now, the right one is getting welded for a third time this season. The left for the first time. Almost time for Sylvan to replace the pontoons I think.