Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I've got an opportunity to buy a U shaped foam filled 24" by 24' used log for a killer price - and it would make a perfect replacement for more displacement for my current 21" by 19' tube middle log. I'll be getting an extra 1,000 lbs. of bouyancy according to my calculations.

I've heard some not so nice comments about foam filled U shaped logs - but then again - how do you that are actually running them feel about having them on your boat?

Inquiring minds would like to know!

Been using them in my voyager for some time now, no complaints from me...

I have a 1984 JC 24ft & a 1993 Voyager 24ft with "U" shape logs on both of them. Neither have foam inside the logs. I called the Voyager factory as I was told they put foam in ALL their logs & they informed me the 1993 I have based on the HID # DID NOT have any foam in them at all. I understand the advantage/disadvantages of foam filled logs but I prefer no foam in mine. I've heard good & bad about foam filled logs so I really can't say either way as I've never had them.

Thanks guys...

I've heard that once ruptured the foam can get water logged - but why would ANY manufacturer not use a closed cell foam? Foam is DIRT cheap, either way... In that case the water caused by a puncture would fall to the bottom - and you could drain it out the rear plug which I have. Just tip the boat back for a few days. Simple. Sure, you might melt a tiny bit of foam around a repaired area, but the heat generated by aluminum welding is spread out over a large area - a log is a perfect heat sink.

The one big advantage for my scenario is that they would just bolt on to the existing cross members - no brackets needed. I would think this is a MUCH stronger mounting - and I've got a serious amount of weight on my toon... 2000 lbs. plus.

Why do I lay awake at night thinking about this stuff??

My 1985 24' Starcraft has U shaped logs. I've been very satisfied with the boat. I was looking at it the other day, and there's not a single dent in those toons. It might be because I have a 115 horsepower 2 stroke Yamaha, but I never rode on another 2 toon boat that planed off as well and was as quiet running as my boat. Other pontoons I rode on seemed to be running their motors hard (full throttle) to keep up.

I don't know why U shaped logs have been abandoned. They are easier to build, and I think the aluminum is lighter (cheaper) than the .080 aluminum in most round tubes. It may be in the safety of having numerous chambers.

That said, I would be very hesitant to put a U shaped tube between two round tubes. The third tube does help with buoyancy, but the weight and drag means you won't be picking up any speed. Lifting strakes are the only way to get the nosecones out of the water, and that's where you pickup more speed and efficiency. If a boat doesn't suit your needs, sometimes it's just best to sell it and buy a factory prepared tritoon. Tritoons have actually been engineered, and slapping a third toon doesn't necessarily mean adding them is worth the time, effort and cost incurred.

FWIW: I think that foam filled u logs are superior to round logs due to buoyancy and structural integrity. I recommend you call a manf. such as Playcraft and talk to them about why they use them. As far as my logs from Voyager are concerned, there is absolutely no problem with welding on them and the foam is "closed" cell which means it doesnt absorb water

Also, I ran the last half of last summer with a pretty significant leak and except for loosing speed at top end and less fuel efficency, you couldn't notice. When floating, the deck appeared completely level. I assume this was due to the foam.

Bamaman wrote: That said, I would be very hesitant to put a U shaped tube between two round tubes. The third tube does help with buoyancy, but the weight and drag means you won't be picking up any speed.

Right now I am using all of the bouyancy I have with two, 28' round logs on the outside and one 19' in the middle. They are all 21" logs. This was a 1988 Suntracker Party Hut to start with.

I actually think a U shaped log in the middle (regardless of the bouyancy) would actually help with drag. Instead of waves from the outside logs washing up and over the middle log - causing interference and weighing it down - the waves will now hit a virtual "wall" and slip backwards with less drag.

My only reason for doing this is to gain bouyancy - speed is not an issue with me. Right now when I do a stop off full throttle the bow pitches down hard and nearly submerges. Not good! If this doesn't work (for $500.00) I think I'll sell this one and start over from scratch with a new 28' aluminum deck with modern 25" logs at all three positions. 150 hp instead of 90 would be VERY nice too....

I think I'm gonna go for it - and with any luck I'll be able to pull the old middle log - and slip the new U shaped one in place - with the boat still on the trailer! Film at 11:00.

I agree, I don't see how it could hurt performance, even without strakes.

U shaped logs have not been abandoned at all. G3 still uses U shaped logs and so does JC. Both make a very high quality product.

Playcraft still uses them to build toons that routinely run 80+mph. Mine does not run that fast, but after 20 years of hard use, they do just fine!!

I forgot about PlayCraft....another good manufacturer.