Pros and cons strakers

[Soonertoon]

Strakes PROs:
Higher top end speed and acceleration
Better MPGs
Stronger more robust toons overall
Less taxing on the motor IMO
Better resale value

Strakes CONs:
Harder to load on trailer
When overloaded, boat is slower than NON straked boat
Easier to get hung up on stick ups just below the water line
Very sensitive to trimming
Very sensitive to prop size
Boat sensitive to proper load balancing

My ST has full length strakes on the insides and half lengths on the outside. Must have something to do with cornering ability far as I can figure.

I have a 21ft Tracker with a 90 Merc and strakes on both sides. It is certainly faster and quicker to get up to speed. with my 90. I can run about 30-31 m.p.h. ( G.P.S.) with two folks in the boat. with 4 I can make 26-27. I certainly surprise alot of other boats with how fast she is with only a 90 on the back.They are sensitive as hell to trim input which is good and bad all at the same time I guess. I doesnt take but a bump of the button to make a huge difference in speed. I am still learning the trim issue with this baby so Im sure I can get even more speed out of it as I get better at it. Its is sure as hell different that the v hulls I have had.
I keep mine on a lift in a slip so as far as the trailering, I have loaded it once and unloaded it once. Getting it on was a little tricky but no big deal. ITs too big to be dragging all over the place as its like pullin a frige down the road sideways...lol
I can tell you that with the strakes on the outside it does have an impact in cornering at speed. It isnt as responsive and takes a steady input of steering wheel to get her turned . Slow down and its not noticeable. Keep in mind that this is not a acrobatic ski boat. They arent going to respond like a v hull unless you get up the money ladder with 3 toons and a huge ass motor.
Not sure what overloaded means but I never have more than 4-5 people in the boat , sometimes 6 but then we are not looking for speed , but more of a leisurely 6-8 knot cruise with cold beverages and some tunes .
With just my family of 4 on the boat ,I can drag a tube with no issues and have yet to have anyone complain we arent going fast enough. I think the strakes have alot to do with it . And a huge benefit is the fact that the Merc sips fuel......and its a 2 stroke at that!
Overall, everything is a tradeoff. I feel the benefits far, far outweigh any negatives.

[Pamlico Nation]

Ok - now I must add my bias (and support my fellow Manitou owners in the process).

I agree with other about Manitou's hull design - very impressive - solves many of the "strake issues" listed previously since Manitou mounts their w/ a positive angle instead of a negative angle. As an engineer, their marketing makes logical sense to me. The hull is now more similar to a "v-hull" boat and not a hydrofoil. the boat lifts (probably not as much as it would with negative angle strakes) well - but the handling - OMG the handling - like a dream. I've said it before and I'll say it a 1000 more - no one would have EVER convinced me that a 28' pontoon boat would handle like a v-hull - EVER. I got to eat a BIG plate of crow after I drove one.


What I should say is this - I bought what I bought because it fit my wants/needs in a boat. it had a lot of space, was relatively fast, handled very well, had a comfortable ride, and was the right price. If you're planning on cruising a lot think about the important things (especially if you're going to cruising at higher RPM's) fuel consumption, ride quality, and handling ability.


I liked the bennington, not to "knock" them - well built, fit and finish, sturdy, etc. they used negative angle strakes like many others - ride got rougher with increased chop on the water sort of like a skiff will, turning reminded me a skiff too. Granted it would bank, but still had a lot of that "powerslide" feel when turned at speed. Again, not to enrage the bennington owners, just MHO.

Can't say a word on xcursion - never been on one, same for an aqua patio.