Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

i have just about made my mind up after reading several post here as well as the answers i get from my own post.

i think one of the biggest things is that so many folks like the idea of fixing up what they already have and it being paid for after they are thru . and since i am very close to debt free , the idea of going back there for 40,000 plus isnt the best idea i have every had.

so getting to my question , i need to increase the weight capacity of my boat . i am considering turning my boat into a tritoon . that would give me more cap, plus it should handle ruff water better as well. i know that i will have to upgrade the power i have right now but that was part of my plan already

i currently have foam filled u toons 86 yr made by playcraft 19 inches wide 24 foot long .

what is a step by step process in this project . in determining the size of the 3rd toon shape and length, do i stay the same size or go a little larger. seems like i read in the PDB magazine about going a little larger to give you better turning and handling .

this is one idea i have but i am relying on the pros here for input . as to what are all my options.

since this is all new to me as far as were to shop recommendations for that will help a lot also .

also would like to know what and were to get under skinning for the boat as well a strakes . i have a few connections with certain folks so i can have some things fabricated , but dont know yet the cheapest way out , in other words will prefabbed strakes be cheaper than buying sheet material and haveing it cut and bent ?

i appreciate yall being patience with us newbies that come in here and you try and help us out as we learn the ropes , lol especially me as i tend to get carried a way with my self and include so much into one post .

hmmmmm that might be why i dont get much response sometimes . shutting up now .

Ok if I was you I would look for a u shaped log with a transom in it if possible. As far as size goes a larger center log is fine. I have three small ones but lowered the center 2" to give the same effect. If you can get a full length log that would be great but if it's a little short that can work also. When I added mine I wanted to have some what matching logs so all three are round. I had a transom welded in but that is becasue my good friend is a fabricator and labor was free. He also welded my strakes on. It's way cheaper to make you own but they will not be a 1 piece strake like the oems have. They have their own custom extrusions. I was quoted 1200 + freight for strakes from the bill guy everyone talks about. I had mine made out of sheet and welded on. I ended up having around 400 into putting them on all three of my logs. I found another boat for cheap and that's how I got my center log. I got if for even less after selling the second log. This is an ad for the bill guy with alot of toon parts. I know several guys here have bought from him but I never have. I don't know what shipping would be on a log ? Anyways good luck !!!
http://springfieldmo.ebayclassifieds.co ... ad=6770692

Whatever you do, avoid a product called Tap Fins at all costs.

If you have a source for aluminum sheeting, just go with underskinning and accept the limitations of having a 26 year old boat.

If you spend too much on reconditioning and renewing such an old boat, you'll still have an older tritoon boat.

You can so easily throw good money after bad when it comes to rebuilding and reconditioning anything marine. Just be glad your boat's not fiberglass as it would have died many years ago.