Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

anybody know anything about sunchaser's center pony tube? no info on their sight, I assume it's a half or 3/4 tube. In general how do these things do as far as handling and bouyancy compared to a full tube.I know bennington has the express tube, are these the same Idea? Any sunchaser owners out there with thumbs up or down for the build. They seem like a well built good looking tune without alot of extras for a good price. thanks for any input.

i have a 2011 Sunchaser DS22 with 115hp 4-stroke Mercury; I like it, it does just fine for everything i need it to do.... bought it new for less than 23,000.... including dual axle galvanized trailer with surge brakes...

my next pontoon will have 150hp, tri-toon, straked, vinyl floor, double electric bimini's, ski tow bar... and a few other thingys....

I've never heard of the 'center pony tube', but i'd sure like to find out...

please post more if you learn more....

Hmmmm.

I called a Sunchaser dealer in GA to ask about adding a 3rd toon. They gave me a price of $1,600 + freight and install for a 16 footer.

A full tube with motor mount was $3,200 + freight and install.

I thought of buying a tube of whatever length and having it cut down to use as my 3rd toon.

You can find single toons fairly easily--mostly seconds with a dent or small scratches. It would be very difficult to take one and cut it down into a shorter version capable of having a motor hung on the rear end. You've got structural issues, and it needs to have an integral gas tank, electrics, etc. It's just not so simple.

I would suggest you find a Bennington dealer to see what their Express Tube is rigged like. Mine is about 18" short of the front of the engine pod. And it runs just as fast as the full center toon boats. The only difference is at a dead stop where the Express Tube rear end is slightly deeper in the water--no big deal. It's substantially cheaper to buy on front end than the full length toons, too.

Bamaman wrote:You can find single toons fairly easily--mostly seconds with a dent or small scratches. It would be very difficult to take one and cut it down into a shorter version capable of having a motor hung on the rear end. You've got structural issues, and it needs to have an integral gas tank, electrics, etc. It's just not so simple.

I would suggest you find a Bennington dealer to see what their Express Tube is rigged like. Mine is about 18" short of the front of the engine pod. And it runs just as fast as the full center toon boats. The only difference is at a dead stop where the Express Tube rear end is slightly deeper in the water--no big deal. It's substantially cheaper to buy on front end than the full length toons, too.

Why would one need to have the gas tank in the center toon? Would the factory location no longer work if I were to add a 3rd log?

As far as cutting one down to size, I should have been more clear. I would cut it down and use it as a pony tube. If I were going to add a 3rd with motor mount I would get one from the manufacturer.

for weight distribution

redbeard wrote:for weight distribution

If that's the reason then why would my gas tank be in the aft left of the toon instead of aft center?

Crab Island Cruiser wrote:

redbeard wrote:for weight distribution

If that's the reason then why would my gas tank be in the aft left of the toon instead of aft center?

For "Weight Distribution". The fuel tank and fuel is somewhat offset or balanced by the battery(s) that are generally places in the aft opposite side of the fuel tank. And I'd also leave everything just where they're at and just slip an additional pontoon under her for floatation if I were so inclined.