what do you guys think

[HandymanHerb]

We were thinking about getting a engine pod with fuel tank installed 35 gallon they want 500. but don't offer shipping so checking on quotes on a ship price, if it cost us 200. to ship that would be 700, I was wondering if we couldn't get a third pontoon with a tank for a little more or just get the third toon with transom and go for the bigger engine

[Bamaman]

Herb: You can often buy individual toons from Pontoonstuff.com and from Great Lakes Skipper up in Racine, WI. Some are "seconds", and they're are at fair prices. T&M Marine north of Minneapolis also carries extra toons from Tahoe/Avalon.

Installing a 3rd toon can be quite a job for many people, including pulling the engine, re-installing steering, wiring and plumbing the fuel tank.

I don't remember what kind of pontoon you have. My old Starcraft just wouldn't be worth putting such an investment into.

Unless the boat has lifting strakes, the third toon just adds weight carrying capabilities--and cuts the speed of the boat and higher fuel usage.

I've always gotten by on a couple of 12 gallon plastic gas tanks. I don't have the extra $ to put more than 24 gallons at a time in the boat anyway.

[BobG]

Yeah, T&M sold me my boat with the third toon - but did they put the 42 gallon tank in the center toon, like Tahoe does? Nope. Be VERY CAREFUL dealing with those guys, and triple-check everything. Do NOT let them sell you a trailer. Period.

[Bryden24shp]

Wow, now would be the perfect time to install a center toon, too. I would say if you can find one, go for it. Your gonna have a brand new boat when you are done with the rebuild anyway. I'll check around with my contacts. If I see anything that looks good for ya, I sure will let you know! What length and diameter would you want to go with?
The rebuild is lookin good!

[Mrtoler]

I agree with Brian, now is the time to do a 3rd toon...there i have a few contacts if interested, I want one myself just haven't done it yet! I disagree with the stuff about slowing you down, it's not gonna do that at all, I've never read a report of a guy installing a center tube and he lost speed they normally gain a couple mph because of it being more out of the water!

[Mrtoler]

Your boat will be more than worth doing it to also since you are doing a complete rebuild! There has been toons sell around here that where in the 1980's and had a rebuild and sell for $10,000 on up....

[HandymanHerb]

I'm 20 foot long and i believe they are 23 inch, I'll check when I get back from homo depot

But now would be the time to do it

[Texoma Toon]

Homo depot

I agree Herb now is the time if you are gonna do it

[rbiederwolf]

If finances are there and you boat in any rough conditions, then do it. Center tube with built in gas tank and transom It will be the best investment you make!!!!!!!

I also disagree about the speed. But more importantly you will end up with a much better boat

[badmoonrising]

Great Lakes Skipper up in Racine, WI. Some are "seconds", and they're are at fair prices. T&M Marine north of Minneapolis also carries extra toons from Tahoe/Avalon..

GLS even has logs with failed Tap Fin installations...lol...

[Bryden24shp]

Tap Fins???

[HandymanHerb]

Great Lakes Skipper up in Racine, WI. Some are "seconds", and they're are at fair prices. T&M Marine north of Minneapolis also carries extra toons from Tahoe/Avalon..

GLS even has logs with failed Tap Fin installations...lol...

That's where the fuel pod was at and they didn't even have a shipper, so you have to go find one on you own, so I'm sure they aren't shipping pontoons.

I don't know I wait and see what prices we get, we have a bunch of stuff still to clean and polish,Dad and I almost got my brother talked into buying a new 90 e-tec, since that would be the most we could cheat on, have wait a minute we are the manufacturer, so we can put our data sheet on

But we are still at the stage were we can still entertain big changes and check on prices anyway, I figured that fuel pod would have gave me a little more flotation being 10 foot long 34 wide and 19.5 deep, I have to seal the top of the pod if we did get it, would be nice to have fuel weight spread out half way to the front and in the middle of the boat.