Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I've owned bass boats for years but we're now shopping for our first pontoon, looking at 21-22'. We've spent time on friends' pontoons but never a tritoon. Most of our time will be slow cruising. We won't be pulling skiers, maybe the grands on tubes occasionally, don't need 40mph, but would like to be able to scoot home reasonably fast if we need to. We have looked at, and liked, South Bay 500 series, 21 foot 519 or 22 foot 521. If we buy a new boat our budget would keep us at a 115hp max. The "sport" or "shorty" tube pushes our budget but is still might be an option with 115.

On the 21 or 22' boat is the added buoyancy you get with the third short tube and under-skin a worthy improvement in ride and handling over the two tube?

The 521 sport toon package includes under-skin and inner strakes. And it is rated for 200hp, would this boat always feel underpowered and cumbersome with a 115?

And what about the "squat" factor, will the sport toon boat sit more level, or less level in the water than the same two toon boat?

Thanks in advance for your input,
Jim

Two tube pontoons tend to ride a little smoother because they go through the water and not on top of it. Given the same HP the two tubes don't go as fast the three tubes. The three tube pontoon is able to get on top of the water more and reduce drag thus, it can go faster. You'll be able to pull a tube or knee boarders without issue on both your choices given a 115hp. Keep in mind that some two tube boats come with streaks that run down the side of each tube that allow them to get up and out of the water so they can go faster. There's a lot more but that's the basics.

The two toon boat is a displacement hull--plowing through the water. Like was said, they ride good, however the outside toons dig deep when going into a turn and their speeds drop dramatically. Two toon boats seem to hit a speed wall around 30 mph where they just won't go any faster. Many report less mph even with 115 hp.

The tritoon with strakes are more buoyant and they get on top of the water--fooling the boat into acting like a planing hull. They're good for another 3-4 mph with a 115 hp motor and even more than that with 150 hp. My 24' Express Tube Bennington runs 40 mph, and it's a very stable ride. It handles much, much better than my old Starcraft pontoon boat.

As far as length, I'd go with as long a boat as your space allows, as the 24' rides well and handles larger crowds. And the 115 hp motor is not nearly as strong as the 150 hp.

I'd suggest you wait until you can take an in water demo of the 2 toon boat and tritoon. If you PM me, I can give you the name of a dealer that may can sell you a 150 hp tritoon for what other dealers are selling 115 hp for.

I would absolutely buy a sport tube. You won't regret the extra $.

Typically the minimum hp I would do on any sort of tritoon is 150hp. The 115 isn't nearly enough to start taking advantage of the third toon. I've posted numbers before that show how a 2 toon 115 is more fuel efficient and faster than the 3 toon boat up to around 20mph. The cost difference to go to the 150 is fairly nominal for most outboards that we looked at

[quote="mpilot"]Typically the minimum hp I would do on any sort of tritoon is 150hp. The 115 isn't nearly enough to start taking advantage of the third toon. I've posted numbers before that show how a 2 toon 115 is more fuel efficient and faster than the 3 toon boat up to around 20mph. The cost difference to go to the 150 is fairly nominal for most outboards that we looked at[/quote]

I am converting to a tri-toon and will be using a 115 Yamaha simply because thats what is on the boat now. So I would love to see those numbers. I admit I am nervous that the 115 won't cut it, but thats what I have, so I am going to give it a try.

There is a decent cost difference between a 115 and a 150. Both the engine and the need to run hydraulic steering on anything over 115hp. Well at least thats what the manufacturers recommend.

Before I put the full enclosure on my boat i was getting 27mph wot with my 115 on my 25 footer two long. It dropped down to 23 or 24 when i put the enclosure on, installed generator, dual batteries, refrigerator, margarita machine and grill. I recently swapped out for new Yamaha 150 and I'm up to 31 mph which I think is pretty good considering all the weight and enclosure.

I just installed a center 3/4 toon on my Southbay with a 115hp Merc.
It sits a bit higher and runs 3 mph faster.
The ride is no different as it rode great before and after.
I wish I had a 150hp motor but I am pretty impressed with my 115.
I will tell you this, it cost a lot less to do it now verses doing it later.

IMO, a straked sport 3/4 tube and 115 is OK on a 20-21' toon, especially the big displacement Merc and Suzuki 4 strokes. Of course a 150 would be better but a 115 will still perform. My 140 Suzuki is the same block as the 115 and has no trouble getting up onto the strakes with 6-7 adults on board and still manage over 30mph

[quote="Jim in Alabama"]And what about the "squat" factor, will the sport toon boat sit more level, or less level in the water than the same two toon boat?[/quote]

Pay attention to the diameter of the pontoon hulls. Diameter will vary between brands. The greater the diameter the more flotation. You'll float higher and can carry more folks or gear.

Level depends on a lot of things. Most I see do not sit completely level in the water. The heavier the engine, the less "level" you'll be. Not a huge deal after you get to running speed. Dynamic change when I get underway, my transom is open, and at rest, fills with water, but drains out as the boat moves forward so I'm losing 500 pounds as the water drains. I don't feel my boat squats in the water when I hit the throttle, if that's what you were referring to.

If you're decided on a 115, probably a pontoon will serve you nicely. Tritoon horsepower starts at 150 to take advantage of what 3 toons offer. Most showroom new units I see are rigged with 175 or 200. My toon is capable of full speed turns with it's 150. I'm rated for a 250. Do I feel underpowered? No. Would I love know what another 50-100 hp feels like? Oh, yeah!

Good luck on your decision.

[quote="zoom650"][quote="Jim in Alabama"] Would I love know what another 50-100 hp feels like? Oh, yeah!

Good luck on your decision.[/quote]


Thanks for the help everybody, we're going to go with the South Bay 521, 115, and the sport toon package (3/4 center, inside strakes, under-skin, and hydraulic steering.

I realize that the third log won't make a ton of difference with the 115 but high performance is not an issue for us, even 25 mph max would be ok, and I think this'll do a bit more than that when needed. My hope is that it will do tight turns a little better, turn into the corner rather than sliding like a two log. And the hydraulic steering will be good for my old worn out rotator cuffs. If budget were not an issue I'd have gone with full center tube and 150 ...... but the if was a big'un!

With the right prop you will be at 30 mph with a light load.

I bet mid 30's if it's a new Mercury command thrust. And correct prop of course.

This guy is only getting 32 mph with a 150. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24099
I'm getting 28 mph loaded pretty heavy with a 115.

Right, but that is way to low for the 150, somethings not right. I don't know if the 7 series is heavier than the 5 but I would think it would be. The command thrust spins a bigger prop. Mine hit's 42gps on an 18"er, gut up the street with a 20' bennington and same 2015 115hp gets 37gps, he should get to 35 if set up right. I know south bay is a nice boat, maybe they are just that much heavier.