Three tubes vs two

[jointventure]

Hello all,

We are still looking for our first pontoon and are seriously considering either the Harris FloteBote or Bennington boats. Somehow as newbies, we've managed to drink some Kool-Aid that has us thinking we desperately need three tubes. (More is better? Three tubes float better than two? Better performance? Greater stability?) However, looking around for boats at dealers on our lake (Lake Wallenpaupack in PA), most of what is available are two tube boats. We really like two boats: one is a new FloteBote Sunliner 240LS and the other is a Bennington R series 2575. Each has a 150 HP OB. So, we're torn about skipping great looking boats because we thing we have to have a three pontoon boat.

Too bad all of our problems in life could be this "tough".

Jointventure

[SCbarber]

Of course everyone will say you need a tritoon but my new regular pontoon is all we need. When you add a third toon, you need more HP, hydraulic if not power assist steering, underskinning. All this will add about 6-8k to the cost. I can not see it but everyone is blowing up the tritoon thing. I guess if I could of afforded it I may of done it but I am happy with my new boat like it is. It all comes down to what you want and what you will be doing with it.

[Bamaman]

Please don't look at neighbors' pontoons. My lake has a bunch of 2 toon 15-20 year old boats, and no high performance tritoons. Pontoons last so long that people often just don't trade. Go 3 and you won't go back to 2.

The Bennington R series is a high line, special boat and not going with 3rd toons AND 150 hp or more would be like buying a S series Mercedes with a 4 cylinder motor. It deserves going all the way. It's the same way for the Harris.

You would get SeaStar steering on any 150 hp motor, but spending the extra $2K+ for the power steering pump is needed only if you're going to be doing serious water sports or tubing. The hi performance boats w/250 hp need p/s, however. My 150 hp Yamaha w/Seastar steers fine up until about 5000 rpm's when it gets hard in a tight turn. You can always add p/s later if you find yourself needing easier steering.

If you're wanting guidance between brands, Harris is an old, conservative pontoon boat company. Bennington is a young, dynamic company that's cutting edge in styling and high in quality. We seldom see used Bennington's hit the retail market, and they're scoffed up immediately. There are many other comparable toon companies, however--like Manitou, Premier, Cypress Cay and some of the Forrest River Companies.

[Texoma Toon]

I still believe G3 is the best value for the money. Owned by Yamaha.

[Tallykenj]

I went from a boat with two to a boat with three and under skinning. It's a big difference. You wont regret it.

[tuned]

In the process of going three as we speak. I have been on enough two's AND three's that I know for certain that I will NEVER go back.

[cwag911]

IMO a 150 on a 25' "r" series benny isn't enough motor. The "r" series boats are heavier than most but an excellant boat just the same. See my sig. That lake is pretty large if I remember. How is the traffic and wave action on the weekends?

[jointventure]

Hey there!

I sincerely want to thank everyone for their replies. Since it is not likely we'll be purchasing a new boat after this experience for quite sometime, we really are trying to be better informed and avoid regret after that fact. T

Very, very helpful.

Thanks,
Jointventure

[rbiederwolf]

Big question is what type of boating will you be doing. If the lake stays flat and there is no large craft boat traffic, than a 2 tube is most likely fine. However if the lake can get rough and you have any larger boat wakes, then a 3 tube is a must, unless you like getting wet, washing the deck with waves etc. and possibly getting in some dangerous boating conditions.

I am very passionate about this because of my pontooning experiences. Other than money I see no reason to ever get a two tube pontoon versus a three. I wanted the comfort of a pontoon, but the ride of a v hull boat. I tried a standard pontoon, and it just didnt cut it. Now I do boat in an area with much boat traffic, and large wakes. However I have also been on large wakes that were flat going out and have kicked up into a very uncomfortable chop.

Two tube pontoons are made for the traditional pontoon type of boating. Cruising slow to moderate on flat waters. This is not to say that you cant put a big motor on one and go fast, you certainly can. But conditions need to be fairly good to be comfortable.

The reason 3 tubes are becoming so popular is that it allows you to boat in conditions that you can not comfortably do in a 2 tube pontoon, but not lose the pontoon comfort. Because of the extra bouyancy from the third tube, and thus the ability to keep the nose up on plane at much lower speeds, you have a totally different boat than a 2 tube. You can handle rough open water, cross large wakes from other boats without concern of washing the deck or getting much spray in the boat, much better handling at higher speeds. I know this from experience.

Yes they cost more but from what I have read and experienced no one ever regrets a third tube. However, Many many people regret not getting one

[Texoma Toon]

Triple Toons are also much more forgiving for the novice boater. It takes some skill to operate a 2 Toon on a big lake in twenty mph winds with large cruiser boats making 3-4 ft waves. But dont buy one and not learn how to drive it cause you can still get in trouble with a trple toon in the right conditions. Always check the weather before you go out!

[jointventure]

Carl,

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. Lake Wallenpaupack gets pretty choppy on weekends. Mornings before 10am and evenings are much smoother. Though we don't have much experience on the water during the week, I heard that it is also smoother.

Jerry

[cwag911]

No problem Jerry. We usually boat during the week due to the amatures on the weekends. Yuo will like a 3 tube boat though. Good luck in your search.

[onthelaketwo]

Two tubes is better than zero tubes.

Happy with our two tubes, but wish I had more HP and a 3rd tube.

[dockholiday]

Today the larger logs really help far as drag. My first toon had the smaller logs and if you pulled back on the throttle while someone was standing, they ended up on their face. My dealer rigged a 2 log boat identical to mine and got a wot speed of only 5mph less than mine. So going forward, I will never buy anything but a tritoon, but if the additional cost puts one in a bind, go for the two log if it is a later model and has the larger logs. When demoing a boat once you get up to speed pull back on the throttle an you will know fairly quickly how much drag or plowing is involved, also less drag can translate into better fuel economy.
doc

[jafo9]

you don't have to have 3 logs, but i don't recall anyone saying that they regretted buying a tri-toon. kinda like getting a bigger motor, no one says they wish they had less HP. you can have plenty of fun with a 2 logger. our first toon was a basic sun tracker 2 log. we had a blast with it. is our current boat better. sure, but it cost more money.

one consideration i haven't seen mentioned is resale. my feeling is that you will have an easier time selling a 3 log boat vs a 2 log boat since it seems most folks are looking for a 3 log boat, especially if they are "upgrading" from their current toon.

with the season drawing to an end, you'll start to see some good deals on the used market in the next few months. good luck and keep us up to date on your progress.