Help with a performance ? - tritoon versus pontoon

[missourifarmer]

So I thought I was looking at a tritoon (love the internet) but instead its a 25' Crest Pontoon. it has the 2 toon setup with Lifting Strakes but I think they are 28" diameter cruising toons.

I've talked to the dealer selling and they have contacted Crest.. they are saying that this dual toon will perform as good if not better than a tritoon based on the increased toon size. Their tritoons generally have two 25" tunes and a 26" toon in the middle.

I'm going to be at the Lake of the Ozarks and have only rented tritoons. But what do you guys think? It has a 200hp two stroke on the back of this boat.

I want something that can take on the wakes and have fun with the boys?

[Ray Jr.]

It may have equal or slightly better straight line speed, But it will NOT turn/handle like a performance tri-toon,( Premier PTX, Bennington ESP, or Manitou SHP)

[Ron Burgundy]

The larger diameter of the center pontoon lets the boat handle more like a V hull by leaning into the turn.

[Bamaman]

They're right about straight line performance. A two toon boat with strakes will usually outrun a tritoon w/strakes due to lower weight and reduced drag of 2 toons--3 to 4 mph.
Triple toon boats take the waves much better, especially on a ultra busy lake like LOTO.
The two toon boat will not handle the weight that a 3 toon boat will handle (fewer passengers.)
Two toon boats won't have the resale price of a 3 toon boat.
When a 2 toon boat takes a tight turn, the outside toon buries down into the water--slowing the boat dramatically. Triples are best for water sports.

I cannot remember seeing a 200 hp 2 stroke motor on a pontoon boat, as most twin toons don't have horsepower ratings for the bigger motors. If the motor is new, I'd rather save money--115 hp is usually sufficient.

I have a twin toon and a triple toon. The twin toon will be up for sale in the Spring.

[Bryden24shp]

Lake of the Ozarks? Ya, you'll need a tri-toon. My old Mantou SHP and my new Premier S-Series handle the waves great. In fact the lake is so tough on most twin tooned pontoon boats, that the rental companies are adding third pontoons to their pontoon boats. Twin Toons are ok for night and off weekend cruises, but when the lake is busy. No way!

[missourifarmer]

Thanks everyone.. sounds like a tri-toon is the way to go... Thanks Brandon for the LOZ specific update.

[bassn386]

I live on LOTO and I can tell you that a tritoon is the way to go, especially if you are going to be on the lake mostly on weekends & holidays.
Any of our neighbors who ride with us who have the two log setup can't get over how well the Benni takes the waves. At 3000 rpm, I trim the engine up and ride over most of the waves.
As far as motor size, go with the most you can afford. As has been said on here many times, almost no one ever said they wished they had a smaller motor.

[missourifarmer]

Any thoughts about adding a third toon?

I may be able to get the boat and then add a toon to the boat? I know that it might run me 4K but that may be worth it based on these reasons. I'm thinking about offering 3-4k less and then using the difference to invest in a 3rd toon. still could be less than what I'm seeing for a used tritoon. Plus there is a guy in springfield mo area doing this..

[ToonGuy]

If this boat actually has 28" diameter toons you will be stuck buying one through the dealer from the manufacture. I seriously doubt you will find any thing like that from any one who re-sells. Not to mention you may have quite a time actually bolting that thing on. There's not much room to get up in there and work with 3-25"ers let alone 28"s.

[rbiederwolf]

Any thoughts about adding a third toon?

I may be able to get the boat and then add a toon to the boat? I know that it might run me 4K but that may be worth it based on these reasons. I'm thinking about offering 3-4k less and then using the difference to invest in a 3rd toon. still could be less than what I'm seeing for a used tritoon. Plus there is a guy in springfield mo area doing this..

I installed a center tube on my boat. It was made by the manufacturer and installed by the dealer. Doing it like this ensured full warranty, and the manudacturer rerated my boat for capacity and engine hp. According to both the manf and dealer my boat is identical to a tritoon that would have been assembld at the factory.

Cost just about 4000. Worth every penny if the original purchase price is good.

R

[Bamaman]

Rick: What kind'a speed are you getting out of your Avalon since you added the third toon?

Just wondering.

[screwball]

Hate to sound like the board skeptic, BUT 200hp on a 25' pontoon? Sure sounds like a lot of Uumph for a pontoon. Can you check the transom plate for engine capacity?? Biggest I can put on my 18' is a 75. Neighbor's 24' is a 115. If this is a used boat, someone could have hung that 200 on the boat. You may run into insurance problems if the boat is over motored. love to have that 200 on my toon!

[rbiederwolf]

Rick: What kind'a speed are you getting out of your Avalon since you added the third toon?

Just wondering.

GAined about 4 mph. Top end 28 mph with a 115hp. I just purchased a 150 but everyone is too busy to put it on. Hoping sometime after Xmas. Tough to see it just sit there.

I am hoping for 40 to 42 mph

[Just Laxin]

Hate to sound like the board skeptic, BUT 200hp on a 25' pontoon? Sure sounds like a lot of Uumph for a pontoon. Can you check the transom plate for engine capacity?? Biggest I can put on my 18' is a 75. Neighbor's 24' is a 115. If this is a used boat, someone could have hung that 200 on the boat. You may run into insurance problems if the boat is over motored. love to have that 200 on my toon!

My SouthBay 522, which overall lenght is 24' is rated for 225HP in the TriToon package. But the gain is not a whole lot in Top End,,,,so the dealer tells me.

[rbtnt]

The older high performance model 25' Crest is rated for 200 HP and has 27" tunes.