Running strake customization...

[Capt. Dan]

I am in the market for a new pontoon and seriously considering a 22-24' Sweetwater tri-toon. My local dealer cuts the aft running strakes down, I believe the factory makes this modification to the dealers specs. The boat will be used in salt water only, which is where the dealer is.

They claim it gets the bow higher, especially with so much forward seating, and it gives you better trim control and virtually eliminates prop blowouts.

It worries me that the boat will be "customized" in such a fashion. Any ideas on this being a good idea, bad idea?

[Bamaman]

I think I'd be talking to Sweetwater's customer service department about this one.

If they performed better with the modifications, why doesn't the factory send them to the dealer configured that way?

Another question is whether this boat is configured with a salt water package--more zinc anodes and completely sealed strakes? And is the hull going to be painted if kept in salt water all the time?

You've just got to be careful when using aluminum boats in salt water due to possible corrosion.

[wrd1972]

It seems obvious to me that the manufacturer who employs the design engineers, test engineers and quality engineers would know much more about strake design and function compared to a boat dealer. Manufacturers don't add or install anything needlessly cause that only drives manufacturing costs upward. I would speak directly with Sweetwater customer service.

[Capt. Dan]

I spoke with the mfr. Yesterday and they said that this was a cusotmization developed by the dealer and that they are now incorporating this modification into all their boats.

[wrd1972]

Then I would trust the modification. I drove by some Sweetwater toons yesterday and clearly saw that their strakes go to the very rear of the toons. This is certainly different than the strakes on my Suntracker 21'. My inner ones go mostly to the rear of the toons but the outer ones stop about 2/3 the way back.

[RcgTexas]

I have heard about this from other sources. It seems it is believed that stopping them short of the stern (like was said above) keeps the stern from riding too high and causing cavitation.

My problem with that is : if that were true wouldn't bass boats cavitate. If your motor is placed at the right height on the transom, it seems to me that it will run right with no cavitation. But no one pays me to think anymore.

[ToonGuy]

The most common reason to stop them short of the rear of the toon on the outsides is to make the boat turn better. There may be other advantages as well, but this is the reason many 3-log toons don't even install outer strakes.