RPT / PTX?

[68dodgeramman]

Just curious if anyone has ever done a comparison between the Premier PTX system versus the Sylvan RPT tube system?

[Ray Jr.]

We are extremely happy with our PTX, never had the RPT but there is a shit ton of complaints about the RPT logs cracking and leaking.

[68dodgeramman]

Really? I was favoring the Premier from the start but was wondering about the Sylvan's toon set up. What do you get for top end with the 150? Does it really handle as well as they say? It looks like they cut through the chop pretty good.

[Bamaman]

No comparison between Premier and Sylvan's top trihulls has been seen on this website. Like has been said, Sylvan's hull has had many structural failure vs. the competition, as it's a much more complicated design. As a design, they need to "drop back and punt."

Premier's PTX hull can be run with a 150 motor, but many of their PTX hulls are powered with 200-250 hp motors. Premier and other major brands of boats have trihulls specifically designed for 150 motors, and they're priced much more favorably than a PTX type hull. Premier's less expensive hull has 3 25" toons with strakes. When you buy a PTX tritoon, 250 hp and Power Steering you're getting into the stratosphere of spending.

If you're really into handling and performance with 150 hp, it's hard to beat the Manitou VP hull.

[Ray Jr.]

The PTX does handle like a dream, with the 150 I have reached 34 MPH on gps with 4 adults, 2 kids, a full fuel tank and a full load of beer and gear in slight chop. I could gain some more speed by raising the motor but we use ours for tubing alot and the lower motor setting keeps the prop from cavitating in tight turns.
We have also reached 26 mph on gps fully loaded with 9 large adults and 5 kids plus all the est of the stuff, it still got up on plane with no problems.
The first time Premier ran the PDB barrel race shootout against the Manitou the got caught bringing a knife to a gun fight and lost, (the Premier entry was 1000 lbs heavier than Manitous entry) the second year they stomped Manitou.

In my opinion you cant go wrong with the Premier, they are extremely comfortable as well, and you really appreciate those seats after a full day on the water.
The 3 tube straked set up Bamaman refers to will run up on plane fine BUT it will NOT turn or handle like the PTX.

[GrandDad]

I have to agree with Ray. We love the PTX (even with only a 150)!

I do have to disagree that you could do just as well with a standard Premier tri-toon and a 150. The primary advantage we see is the improvement in maneuverability of the PTX hull, and secondarily the improvement in planing caused by the flat area on the bottom of the center pontoon. I really dont think we would see either of those with a standard tri-hull.

We have seen top ends similar to those already stated - again with GPS. With only me, I have done high 30s and with a full load more like 33-35 depending on water conditions.

Like others I have read the less-than-stellar reviews of the RPT tubes, but have no direct experience.

We have been able to compare with a Bennington with the ESP package (wider center tube, but oval instead of flat like the Premier). That is what my brother bought (also with a 150). We have discovered that top end is VERY slightly better with the Premier (maybe 2 mph) and that handling is very similar. There is one design feature we like on his better - the extended rear platform; however we find the seats are far more comfortable on the Premier and the raised helm platform is slightly higher on the Premier, giving the driver better visibility over other heads.

Hope this helps.

[Bryden24shp]

Agree 100% on the PTX vs VP hull. The SHP has better re-inforcement on the nosecones, than the PTX or the VP hulls. But handling wise. The PTX wins! I've had all 3, the VP was the SHP before Manitou built the Baracuda nosecones. The "Old" SHP (VP) nosecones would collapse at speeds over 50. So they were rolled and re-inforced with a welded rib. They are bulletproof, now. I tested them for Manitou at speeds over 60 mph, no problems. Thats why no VP's come with the high horsepower motors. Best part was , Manitou spent all the money on mine. I just had to test them for the company.
But, the PTX, wow! Thats all I can say. It really works! And slices through the water like the boats in stealth mode. I've got the 36" PTX on the S-Series, With 300 horsepower, its just a riot!

[r.karjala]

We have a 23.5 premier ptx with an I/O 4.3. We love the way it handles and the overall performance. We typically run with 2 adults and 2 children. Although the kids spend very little time on the boat; they love tubing and they love the circles and cuts I make at speed.

Our boat runs in the mid 40's wot, but we can run all day at 25 to 30 with no problem.

Overall I would recommend a ptx to anyone.

[68dodgeramman]

Wow, this is great! Loving all the input. So the PTX is a good as they say or at least close? I'll have to really check them out. Thanks for all the replies.

[Pesimist]

What ever you do - stay away from Sylvan's RPT's. Not only do they crack frequently, the high speed handling is definitely not stable.

I bought a signature 22 ft with the RPT's in 2010, multiple crack repairs, toons replaced with what was supposed to solve the problem, the new RPT's cracked as well.

You can search for my post earlier this summer for additional details.

[ScottE]

Agree 100% on the PTX vs VP hull. The SHP has better re-inforcement on the nosecones, than the PTX or the VP hulls. But handling wise. The PTX wins! I've had all 3, the VP was the SHP before Manitou built the Baracuda nosecones. The "Old" SHP (VP) nosecones would collapse at speeds over 50. So they were rolled and re-inforced with a welded rib. They are bulletproof, now. I tested them for Manitou at speeds over 60 mph, no problems. Thats why no VP's come with the high horsepower motors. Best part was , Manitou spent all the money on mine. I just had to test them for the company.
But, the PTX, wow! Thats all I can say. It really works! And slices through the water like the boats in stealth mode. I've got the 36" PTX on the S-Series, With 300 horsepower, its just a riot!

So you prefer the PTX over SHP?

I got a chance to ride in a PTX. Not sure if it was the 36" or the 30". The owner had a 300 Merc 4 stroke, so I'm assuming it was the 36". It was a smooth ride and handled really nice.

But from reviews from people on here, I thought hands down, Manitou's SHP was the best.

[GaCarolinaTn]

I grew up on bow riders skiing and tubing and the like. Test drove a few brands of toons and chose the Manitou SHP over all others because of how well it handles in the water and carves its way through sharp turns. I didn't run the PTX with the 36 in center tube so can't directly compare the two machines. I would find it hard to believe that there would be meaningful differences in performance between the boats with matched motors, gear, driver, weight, etc.

[Bryden24shp]

Oh ya! I loved our Manitou, don't gt me wrong. Did alot of work for and with Manitou on various projects. My wife and I did the testimonial DVD on their website and are in the 2012 brochure. It is a great boat! But, after getting my Premier dialed in, it beats the Manitou hands down as far as performance. Workmanship? I would say the Premier is a notch higher. Customer service? Lets not go there.
We have our share of problems and even though they have been resolved, it took alot calls and one nice little threat, i guess you could call it.
The boat was not set up right from the factory. The previous owners were oblivious to the fact. Some tweaking with engine height and props, its dialed in perfect. The original set up was getting 28% prop slip, we have it down to 9%, the fuel ecomony, ride and speed all benefited.
But, this isn't about my boat, its about Premiers PTX hull. The Manitou is a splashy kinda ride... The 36 PTX is silent as a snake slitherin through the water. , The SHP will lean to a heavy side, the PTX travels flat, until you corner, then islides right in. Won't cavitiate on pull, won't loose speed. The Manitou was faster! I'll give it that, but it weighed about 1250 pounds less than the S-Series does. Those dual helms and windshields weigh alot.
I can't say anything bad about a Manitou. Very nice boats. If we were still able to design ours, I probably would still be with them.
But, the Premier... If the company would work with me like Manitou and Baja did... I could help build them a lethal boat!
Watch for updates on mine this winter. Its gonna be fun. Enough said!

[wrakoski]

I've got the 36" PTX and LOVE IT.

Every time I drive it, I am astounded by the performance. It seems physically impossible for a boat that big to handle that way that it does!

[Pontoon Really?]

I have the RPT's. I have had them two years with zero issues. I have a 150 Optimax on the Sylvan Sport 8522.
I top out at 43 (Two Tunes) and it handles great. Pulls skiers and tubes very nicely.. My two cents.