I'm considering doing just that and hoping for insights.
For the past 20+ years I've run a Baja and currently a 288 Sunsation MCOB (mid cabin open bow). Love these boats but taking in and out of water every weekend is getting old. Still love cruising so hoping to get a 24 or 25 ft tritoon with a 200 or 300hp on it. Shocked at the prices I'm seeing. Wow. Plus ...I've never riden on a tritoon. How do they handle?
I see some on the Ohio River where I boat and they appear to move along pretty good. But I've no clue how they cut the waves or take turns. Any tips for a newbie pontoon shopper? Thanks.
Has anyone gone from a high performance boat deep V to a pontoon?
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Re: Has anyone gone from a high performance boat deep V to a pontoon?
With a 250-300 HP outboard you'll be pleased. My brother has a 26' powerquest and is impressed by a tritoon. My boat is only powered by a 175 but I had a loaner last year with a 300 verado. It took a 27' pontoon to 50 mph !!!
The sunsation factory is only an hour away, those guys build some sweet boats. I believe their boats are all center console now though. That said if you get a test ride in a high hp tritoon you'll be impressed!
The sunsation factory is only an hour away, those guys build some sweet boats. I believe their boats are all center console now though. That said if you get a test ride in a high hp tritoon you'll be impressed!
2018 Tahoe ltz elite windshield powered by a 175 Mercury verado with sea legs
Rebuilt custom 20' 1983 riviera cruiser tritoon SOLD
2017 crew cab F-350 gets me to the lake !
Rebuilt custom 20' 1983 riviera cruiser tritoon SOLD
2017 crew cab F-350 gets me to the lake !
Re: Has anyone gone from a high performance boat deep V to a pontoon?
A 25 ft toon might be a challenge to tow--wind is not your friend.. Unloading and loading at the ramp can be tricky too. Dont try to save money on the trailer-the trailer will be your best friend. Check with some folks in here that have the big toons.
I have a 20 ft and had to alter my guide rails at the back of the trailer to help stab it easier when loading..I also put a mark on the front fence right above the trailer boards to help sight it in better--helped a lot--piece of tape or permanent marker.
I have a 20 ft and had to alter my guide rails at the back of the trailer to help stab it easier when loading..I also put a mark on the front fence right above the trailer boards to help sight it in better--helped a lot--piece of tape or permanent marker.
2009 LOWE SS204 25in logs
90 Merc Optimax
Motorguide W55 Wireless
Underskinning
28 GPS
90 Merc Optimax
Motorguide W55 Wireless
Underskinning
28 GPS
Re: Has anyone gone from a high performance boat deep V to a pontoon?
Obviously there's a huge difference between what you have now and a pontoon/tritoon. But, these boats can be a ton of fun. I have a 23' tritoon with a Yamaha 150. Tops out right at 40 mph. I wish it was a little faster, but that's OK. I came from a 20 ft SeaRay V hull that would do about 47 mph. I wish that boat went faster, too, but in the grand scheme of things 40 on my tritoon is fast enough.
As far as handling goes. I swear my current boat turns sharper and quicker than my V hull did. I have power assisted hydraulic steering, so I can quickly and easily turn. If I'm going at anything above about 25 mph, I can throw everybody out of their seats with a quick turn. As far as handling waves and chop, you'll be amazed at how tritoons cut through and go right over the type of conditions that cause a pounding in a V hull.
As far as handling goes. I swear my current boat turns sharper and quicker than my V hull did. I have power assisted hydraulic steering, so I can quickly and easily turn. If I'm going at anything above about 25 mph, I can throw everybody out of their seats with a quick turn. As far as handling waves and chop, you'll be amazed at how tritoons cut through and go right over the type of conditions that cause a pounding in a V hull.
Steve
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia
Re: Has anyone gone from a high performance boat deep V to a pontoon?
Have done performance boats in past. Good friend had 35 and up Fountain, Hustled, Donzi, etc. Even had a 36 Nortec Cart. Wrenched on and ran them all. He traded boats a lot lol.
Now i have a 25 Manitou with the 350 Suzuki which has duoprop. The holeshot is great and boat will run 50ish. We have a heavy boat with Sport Arch and lots of fiberglass so it looks nice.
Miss the rumble of a big block but trade-off is user friendly space and convenience. More comfortable and usable space than any of big go fasts.
Good ride on Lake and River. Makes tritoon excellent option.
If I hit the lottery and money and time were no object I'd have a performance v hull for a toy. But would probably use the toon more.
Toons are not for everyone but are my choice. My buddy who had all the go fast boats has a twin engine Manitou now.
Now i have a 25 Manitou with the 350 Suzuki which has duoprop. The holeshot is great and boat will run 50ish. We have a heavy boat with Sport Arch and lots of fiberglass so it looks nice.
Miss the rumble of a big block but trade-off is user friendly space and convenience. More comfortable and usable space than any of big go fasts.
Good ride on Lake and River. Makes tritoon excellent option.
If I hit the lottery and money and time were no object I'd have a performance v hull for a toy. But would probably use the toon more.
Toons are not for everyone but are my choice. My buddy who had all the go fast boats has a twin engine Manitou now.
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Brad M.
2019 Manitou Legacy with 350 Suzuki
2016 South Bay 523 Arch. 250 Suzuki SS (sold)
Brad M.
2019 Manitou Legacy with 350 Suzuki
2016 South Bay 523 Arch. 250 Suzuki SS (sold)
Re: Has anyone gone from a high performance boat deep V to a pontoon?
Great info guys. Thanks.
I normally cruise at 30 to 35, that is a comfortable speed and fast enough but is sure is nice to have all that throttle to push down when the urge hits you. I know I would love a 25 to 27 tritoon with a 350 but then I looked at the price of those puppies. 98k was a discount price. LOL Not gonna happen.
I prefer to buy nearly new if possible but not knowing these boats I will have to visit some dealers of new ones to find out what I prefer before I know what to look for. I want to do a lot of that before selling my sunsation ..but I have a person interested now. If they want to buy I will be in hurry up mode to get er done. This forum helps a lot for educating new pontoon buyers. Thanks all.
I normally cruise at 30 to 35, that is a comfortable speed and fast enough but is sure is nice to have all that throttle to push down when the urge hits you. I know I would love a 25 to 27 tritoon with a 350 but then I looked at the price of those puppies. 98k was a discount price. LOL Not gonna happen.
I prefer to buy nearly new if possible but not knowing these boats I will have to visit some dealers of new ones to find out what I prefer before I know what to look for. I want to do a lot of that before selling my sunsation ..but I have a person interested now. If they want to buy I will be in hurry up mode to get er done. This forum helps a lot for educating new pontoon buyers. Thanks all.