Adding 3rd pontoon - need to modify motor pod

[lightpants]

I am preparing to add the third pontoon that I bought the other day, to my boat. In order to get it in the position I want it to be, I need to cut away part of my transom.
I am going to cut away the part shaded in green. It is 11" from the front of the motor pod
The pontoon will then sit right next to the transom.
The part that I cut will be well above water level.

What do you guys think?

Will it adversely effect my boat?
Jim

[RcgTexas]

In my opinion you need a center pontoon with a motor mount on it and remove the motor mount you have now. I did. It will let your motor run in undisturbed water which will capitalize on the effectiveness of the third log.

[Bamaman]

I take it you're setting up an "express tube", or 3/4 length toon for the middle.

Believe me when I say you don't want to cut off the front of your engine pod. It does get in the water at very slow and medium speeds. And where is that water going to go if the front of the engine pod is not there to divert it to the side?

I was polishing my toons yesterday and looking at my express tube--about 12 inches from the front of my engine pod. It's really a very inexpensive addition to get improved performance. I cannot have a center tube storage, and there's no in tube 50 gallon gas tank. But I don't need or want a 50 gallon fuel tank. My boat runs just as fast as the full length 25" Sport Performance Tube now available on my model of Bennington boat. When it comes to boats, all such changes are just compromises of sorts.

[lightpants]

I take it you're setting up an "express tube", or 3/4 length toon for the middle.

Believe me when I say you don't want to cut off the front of your engine pod. It does get in the water at very slow and medium speeds. And where is that water going to go if the front of the engine pod is not there to divert it to the side?

I was polishing my toons yesterday and looking at my express tube--about 12 inches from the front of my engine pod. It's really a very inexpensive addition to get improved performance. I cannot have a center tube storage, and there's no in tube 50 gallon gas tank. But I don't need or want a 50 gallon fuel tank. My boat runs just as fast as the full length 25" Sport Performance Tube now available on my model of Bennington boat. When it comes to boats, all such changes are just compromises of sorts.

Yes, it is an "express tube" It is 16' long, y boat is 24'
I don't follow your concerns with water getting in the motor pod if I cut it. I was going to cut 10" off the front, and then put the 3rd tube right against it. So the express tube will block/ divert the water from the front to the motor pod. As I look at the motor pod currently, the front 6" are not sealed against anything. So, if there was water splashing up there, it would get inside now. (as you can see from my awesome diagram!
I made a quick diagram of how close the tube is going to sit to the motor pod. I don't think water getting in there will be a problem. And if it is, I can have a flat front welded onto the motor pod.

[rancherlee]

I would weld a vertical plate into the cutoff that extends up past the bottom of the cross member and through bolt it to the cross member so its still triangulated for strength. Those little "ears" left over after cutting the piece out will have less than 10% of their strength left if left alone and may crack off after awhile from flexing otherwise. The front and rear of the transom pan are the most important mounting points where all off the stress is located.