Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hello
Looking to pick up some pontoons and build a boat this year, original plans were tri-toon at 8ft wide

what about a quad-toon at 10 ft wide?

plans include lake/river and ICW use in future

this should give me plenty of buoyancy and stability, and redundancy with 2 75hp engines and dual fuel tanks

uses some fishing, camping and leisure exploring

plan to build enclosed cabin with "covered" lounge and eating area, and the roof of the cabin will be sun area

towing in NC is not an issue w/10 ft wide, and here in TN lake is only 20 min away

I'm sure you have taken in consideration trailering with a ten foot wide boat. Other than that I say go for it!

PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've thought about that in the past. Like many of my great ideas, this one never got further than my brain. Good luck I'd love to see it.

At 10 foot wide I don't think you need 4 toons. You'd be better served by going with 3 toons and larger diameters like 40" or so. that way you could keep the weight down.

I don' t know why you'd want to make things so complicated on an otherwise simple boat configuration. If you want more stability than 2 toons, just go with 3 toons and a larger single engine.

Most people here believe the sweet spot in a pontoon is going 3 toons with lifting strakes and 150 hp or more.

Remember that pontoons are so large and unaerodynamic that they tow like they're substantially heavier than they are. My 24' tritoon is about as large as I'd want to tow anywhere. And I leave mine at the lake all the time because it'd take up my entire driveway if I brought it home.

[quote="slingshot"]At 10 foot wide I don't think you need 4 toons. You'd be better served by going with 3 toons and larger diameters like 40" or so. that way you could keep the weight down.[/quote]
Around here in TN lake area and surroundings the smaller toons are for sale

[quote="RcgTexas"]I'm sure you have taken in consideration trailering with a ten foot wide boat. Other than that I say go for it!

PICS!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]

Yep as long as I stay at home lakes or NC which gets me to the coast, I am good

[quote="ron nh"]I've thought about that in the past. Like many of my great ideas, this one never got further than my brain. Good luck I'd love to see it.[/quote]



[quote="Bamaman"]I don' t know why you'd want to make things so complicated on an otherwise simple boat configuration. If you want more stability than 2 toons, just go with 3 toons and a larger single engine.

Most people here believe the sweet spot in a pontoon is going 3 toons with lifting strakes and 150 hp or more.

Remember that pontoons are so large and unaerodynamic that they tow like they're substantially heavier than they are. My 24' tritoon is about as large as I'd want to tow anywhere. And I leave mine at the lake all the time because it'd take up my entire driveway if I brought it home.[/quote]

What makes it more complicated?

you start with pontoons, lined up, attach cross-members, lay down .063 alum deck and weld, same for 2, 3, or 4 toons

as for towing, I plan to have the front sun/rain cover attached with hinges to the cabin. This will allow it to fold down in the front and act as a air foil (thinking it will )

Main reason for 10ft wide leaves me with a 2 ft walkway on both sides of cabin (to have access to middle of the boat for locks and such) and doing so leaves me with a 6 ft wide wheel house and a roughly 10x10 living space

right now just in thinking stage, and these have made me do some "interesting" things...actually for the last few years


SORRY for quote screw up, this apparently is done differently

I also don't see the need for more than 2 or 3 toons. At 10' wide (not sure of the length), I assume high speed maneuverability is not a top priority.

These guys only use 2 or 3 toons.

http://www.catamarancruiser.com/

Bob...wow, those boats are nicer than my house and less redneck also

3 toons it is...

I hope to start drawing Next couple weeks when it is nasty outside, and go pickup an old boat and a couple toons before Christmas, when folks need $$$$

[quote="bansil"]Bob...wow, those boats are nicer than my house and less redneck also

3 toons it is...

I hope to start drawing Next couple weeks when it is nasty outside, and go pickup an old boat and a couple toons before Christmas, when folks need $$$$ [/quote]

If you want to get real creative with three toons look at the new premiers. They have one that's 12 feet wide with 6 foot tall cuddy cabin in the 42 inch middle toon. Harris has a 10 footer with a bathroom in the middle toon.

There is a pentatoon on Lake Murray. I know the guy that built it. It is 16 ft wide and about 32 foot long. It has a two car metal carport for a canopy on part of it. One of the toons in back is the gas tank. Not very fast but can haul a bunch of people. He sold it not long ago.

[quote="jrolin1"]There is a pentatoon on Lake Murray. I know the guy that built it. It is 16 ft wide and about 32 foot long. It has a two car metal carport for a canopy on part of it. One of the toons in back is the gas tank. Not very fast but can haul a bunch of people. He sold it not long ago.[/quote]

Yep I live in the neighborhood with the guy that built it. I think it had like 5 mix and match pontoons on it. The new guy keeps it up near Dreher island, repainted it and hung a new motor in it. We've runever into him a few times at Frayed Knot and out on our friend's houseboat.

Bansil....

I assume you saw the 10 x 35 unit?

http://www.catamarancruiser.com/catamaran-cruiser-10x35

I figured this may be close to the size you are looking to build. Looks like it has only two toons.

That was a nice toon, and only 2 'toons also,

I want at least 3 for the stability and smoothness

So on the fence about 8 v/s 10 wide, boat will only be 24 long and 2 people, maybe 4 with a tent setup under front cover

We don't have many friends : my best friend is my wife

The biggest reason for thinking 10 wide is I can keep a 6ft wide wheelhouse with walkway 1/2 way down boat,
The state room/living a rear will be 8 or 10 wide

Gotta work on fence and barn for new additions arriving next weekend, hope to look at some toons on the 23rd

OKAY, so quotes don't work and smiley don't work, is it me or the site?

just a fyi, it seems that most tri-toons from the manufacturers are 8.5 feet wide. I am guessing that why 8.5 feet x 4 ft marine plywood is readily available.

and i can also not get the quotes to work.

Good info,
Going to pick up Alpacas this weekend instead of Pontoons

Wifes Christmas present Trumps mine