Center Pontoon Outboard Set Back?

[willy13]

I have noticed that most manufacturers will make the center pontoon longer than the side pontoons so that the outboard is set back behind the side pontoons. I am guessing that this is done so the prop see's clean water. Instead of getting washed out by the wake of the side pontoons. I am curious to know how much your outboard is set back, measured from the back of the side pontoon to the outboard mounting surface. My plan is to add a center pontoon to my twin-toon and would like to know how far back I should go. So far from searching the internet the max. set back I have seen is 30". This was on a custom pontoon boat not from a manufacturer.

Below is a link to what I am talking about. Not to sure exactly how much set back this example has.
http://www.custompontoonboatkitsetc.com/id5.html

[Harvey]

I added a third tube to my toon last winter. My toon is 23.6 with 23" dia tubes. I set my center tube back 18" and dropped it down 2" below outside tubes. Added a new Mercury Verado 250 hp four stroke. Rides and handles the water so much better. Will run 50 mph with top up with one onboard. Will run 45 mph with six to eight people and coolers onboard. I just love it now.

[willy13]

[quote="Harvey"]I added a third tube to my toon last winter. My toon is 23.6 with 23" dia tubes. I set my center tube back 18" and dropped it down 2" below outside tubes. Added a new Mercury Verado 250 hp four stroke. Rides and handles the water so much better. Will run 50 mph with top up with one onboard. Will run 45 mph with six to eight people and coolers onboard. I just love it now.[/quote]

Manitou drops there center pontoon below the side pontoon. I am not sure if other manufactures do the same. I was going to make mine level.

Thx for the measurement. I might just go to some local dealers with a tape measure.

[ron nh]

Mine is 23" longer than the outer tubes.

[ezrollin]

I have 24 ft pontoons and after adding an 8x12 cabin decided to add a 20 ft center tube for stability that is level with the other tubes. I can give you exact setback measurements if you want them. My boat rode very nicely with this setup.

[zoom650]

My tubes are 25" in dia. All are even at the bow.

The center toon is about 12 inches or so longer in the rear as opposed to the outer tubes and is also drop mounted 1" lower.

Lifting strakes on both sides of the center toon. Strakes on the inside edge of the outer toons.

Hope this helps.

[willy13]

My current plan is to buy 3 new 25" dia pontoons. Lifting strakes on both sides of the center and on the inside of the outer pontoons. This will be an early spring project so I have time to figure this out. I am hoping to get 30 mph out of her, she currently runs at 25 mph with 2 toons and no strakes.

[rancherlee]

Mine is 18" on top/ 12" on the bottom. This was as close as I could mount it and still be able to fully trim my Suzuki all the way up. Seems to work well, I might have gone another 6" back if the tube I had bought was a little longer.