Questions about Lifting Strakes

[OK Toon]

I went to the Tulsa Boat Show last night and saw several new boats that I really like . But I noticed some of the tritoons have strakes on both sides of all 3 toons (Sun Tracker, Avalon and Silverwave) but there were some that had strakes on the inside of both outside toons and on both sides of the middle toon (Lowe, Bennington and Harris).

My first thought would be, "the more strakes the better". But now I'm wondering if the outside strakes on the outside toons would affect turning ability -- the boat would try to remain "flat" instead of leaning to the inside of the turn to make it easier to turn.

Does anybody have any input, experience, thought or help for the pros or cons of having strakes on both sides of all 3 toons?

Coming from a pontoon with no strakes, I have no experience with them at all -- but I know I want them on my next boat.

Thanks in advance.

[Cycleman07]

The most common you will see is Strakes on the insides of the outer tubes and both sides of the Center tube. I imagine the reason for this is that strakes on the outside of the outer tubes would have a negative impact on cornering.

[The_Hellbilly]

my understanding is that if you have all 6 and are on top of the water (instead of plowing thru it) they do not have any noticable effect on turning.

[Bamaman]

Manufacturers test their boats extensively to come up with their specific strakes. They all claim their setups will do the job.

I think that I would prefer the strakes on the insides of the outer toons and on both sides of the center toon. The reason is that getting too close to a dock might bend or hurt the strakes if they were on the outsides. Just strakes on the center toon will lift all three nosecones out of the water.

I don't know that any straked tritoon would corner much better than any other unless they had the larger center toon, like Manitou and Premier, or a higher lift center toon like Bennington elliptical. They allow the boat to angle into a turn like a V hull boat--some of which almost lift the outside toon out of the water in tight turns.

[OK Toon]

Thanks for all of the information. That is very helpful and good information to know.

[fergusmj]

Based on everything I have read, turning with strakes on the outside is not as good as just having them on the insides only. For straight line performance, 6 strakes. For a little bit less straight line performance, but better turning, 4 strakes.

I'm sure that either options is better than no strakes at all though.

[Drago]

Ours has six big strakes and will always turn flat unless I play some magic with the throttle just before a fast hard turn.

[Liberty MO]

Manufacturers test their boats extensively to come up with their specific strakes. They all claim their setups will do the job.

I think that I would prefer the strakes on the insides of the outer toons and on both sides of the center toon. The reason is that getting too close to a dock might bend or hurt the strakes if they were on the outsides. Just strakes on the center toon will lift all three nosecones out of the water.

I don't know that any straked tritoon would corner much better than any other unless they had the larger center toon, like Manitou and Premier, or a higher lift center toon like Bennington elliptical. They allow the boat to angle into a turn like a V hull boat--some of which almost lift the outside toon out of the water in tight turns.

I have strakes on all sides of all toons and the outer toon strakes dont stick out as far as the deck rail of the toon, so the strake wouldnt be at risk.

The only complaint i have is the location of our strakes on the toon. Mine sit flush with the bottom of the toon which creates a flat surface which prevents the toons from having a round bottom that sits in the cradle of the bunks on the trailer. For a 28' boat, its a pain in the ass to get the back end to sit strait on the trailer when loading up.

[JohnO]

As was said before each manufacturer designs their strakes to match their boats.

I've got a Manitou with strakes on all sides of all tubes. I handle (turn) better than any other pontoon on my lake.