Adding lift strakes

[ToonGuy]

My .02 (and you get it for free!):

I've built both boats. The advantages of the shorty tube are obvious. A few things to think about you might want to factor in:

You will have a substantial amount of "rake" with a short tube. This could be an issue if you are already heavy in the stern.

You will probably have to raise your motor as far as you are able, as the new stance will put the prop way too low. The last one I did we actually had to drill another set of holes to get the motor in clean water. This could possible create an issue with your steering.

A full center tube can be set up with the motor set back, so besides the additional flotation and extra lift from a full set of strakes that will also increase performance. You may not notice as much with a 115 but it WILL make a difference.

That will create another issue however of longer control and steering cables.

A full center could be fashioned to hold the fuel tank, it's nice to clear up deck space and get that heavy fuel lower in the chassis.

Bottom line for me...if I'm tearing my toon down for major work might as well go all in. I'd do the full toon, and never look back. And if you decide to up the power in the future you'll be good to go.


Either way don't forget to under skin and take advantage of your new upgrade.

[Bamaman]

Boat manufacturers spend quite a bit of time testing and engineering strakes on their boats. It's just not as easy as welding aluminum angles to the sides of the toons. Screw up and there's no going back.

And sometimes we've got to accept that pontoons are compromises in every way. We ask them to run fast, turn well and take heavy loads of people. A displacement hull that's been fooled into being a planing hull just cannot do it all.

And sometimes it's best to put the old boat on the retail market while it's the Summer selling season and buy another boat that might better serve our needs better.

[curtiscapk]

Bill knows his stuff... I would go with the full center. Actually I will be this fall if everything comes together.

[RcgTexas]

Bill knows his stuff... I would go with the full center. Actually I will be this fall if everything comes together.

I was just wondering when you would take that step. That top speed will improve and you will get better performance with that 1fif teen.

[Crab Island Cruiser]

My .02 (and you get it for free!):

I've built both boats. The advantages of the shorty tube are obvious. A few things to think about you might want to factor in:

You will have a substantial amount of "rake" with a short tube. This could be an issue if you are already heavy in the stern.

You will probably have to raise your motor as far as you are able, as the new stance will put the prop way too low. The last one I did we actually had to drill another set of holes to get the motor in clean water. This could possible create an issue with your steering.

A full center tube can be set up with the motor set back, so besides the additional flotation and extra lift from a full set of strakes that will also increase performance. You may not notice as much with a 115 but it WILL make a difference.

That will create another issue however of longer control and steering cables.

A full center could be fashioned to hold the fuel tank, it's nice to clear up deck space and get that heavy fuel lower in the chassis.

Bottom line for me...if I'm tearing my toon down for major work might as well go all in. I'd do the full toon, and never look back. And if you decide to up the power in the future you'll be good to go.


Either way don't forget to under skin and take advantage of your new upgrade.

My motor already sits a few inches behind the deck so I don't believe the cable length will be an issue.
I'm more worried about drilling holes to fit the motor, bu I guess I could make a template from my current pod.

I would love to sell my toon and get a new/newer tritoon but that's just not in the cards.

The biggest issue I have my toon now is nose diving with all the waves here. It's always windy n there is a ton of boat traffic.

[gobeernet]

What is your current load/speed and what do you expect to achieve?

I'm in a similar boat (22' 25" tubes 115hp Merc) and am interested in the outcome! I have thought about adding a center toon many times. What I've gathered agrees with the above statements, go full log with transom or don't bother. I haven't determined if additional motor setback is worth it or not though. (new cables, longer boat storage, etc)

[Crab Island Cruiser]

What is your current load/speed and what do you expect to achieve?

I'm in a similar boat (22' 25" tubes 115hp Merc) and am interested in the outcome! I have thought about adding a center toon many times. What I've gathered agrees with the above statements, go full log with transom or don't bother. I haven't determined if additional motor setback is worth it or not though. (new cables, longer boat storage, etc)

Me, wife , son and 2 boxers, gear, full tank of go go juice.
Yami F115 4 blade 13x17 prop. 26 mph plowing through the water.

Several manufacturers use a pony tube so that would be cheaper/easier. Full tube would be best route but costs more and more work to install.

[Crab Island Cruiser]

Here is a pic of how my motor sits.

[Crab Island Cruiser]

Holy large pictures batman. That is from my phone. if someone can downsize that for me that would be great.

[ToonGuy]

[Crab Island Cruiser]

Thx!!!!

[Waterlogged]

Personally, I would go with the one with the motor mount. I don't see drilling the motor mount holes being that big a deal. I would check to verify the price difference of shipping the two sizes, could be a game changer, but I would make sure before deciding.

Glenn

[Crab Island Cruiser]

Update:

Been a busy month.

My upgrades are on hold for $$. The AC in my house took a dump and I shelled out 5k for a new one.

After I recover some fundage i'll be back on the upgrades.

[Crab Island Cruiser]

I found a closer local metal supply/fab shop and started to under skin the toon. I only did a small amount to start with and will continue when I have more time/money.

So far I have 2 pieces of .090 aluminum equaling 5' x 10'. I had them cut in 2 pieces to make it easier getting them under the deck. I used 5/32 aluminum rivets. I hope those are strong enough.

I'll post some pics when I get some good shots.

[mofn]

Jump on the $1700 unit you wrote about. My shipping costs alone for a 3rd toon was $575 4 years ago.
If you find a good welder it is costly (mine $85 per hour, I was told by others that was cheap, still did not help the pucker factor.)