adding a third toon

[Lonnie5]

I am wanting to add a third toon to my 1984 pontoon with 19in toons with a 90hp. will adding the third toon give me more speed or turn better pulling a tube thanks?

 

[The Rooster]

Re: adding a third toon

Without lifting strakes and additional power you're not going to see much more in performance. You are just adding extra weight & drag under the barge. Several other members have done this conversion w/ great results, but most stepped up to V6 power of 150 hp +. Good luck !!!

 

[MaPaHa]

Re: adding a third toon

I agree with The Rooster. It will float better and have a better ride especially when loaded but I wouldn't count on much if any improvement in speed but will probably help turning a bit. Overall you will like the ride but not the speed.

See these threads a page or two back:
"What engine for my tritoon? Last post Jan 21, 2014
"Add a toon" Last post Nov 11, 2013

I added one to mine and I would do it again but... It didn't help the speed until I put the strakes on it and more HP.

Mark

 

[crb478]

Re: adding a third toon

I agree with the above. I added a third toon to mine and it has 23 inch logs and a 115 hp. The ride is much improved, but I probably lost one or two mph. That said I can go faster in rougher water with the 3rd toon so the loss in speed is not really an issue since it is faster when I need it. I can see where a bigger motor would get it up and faster, but this one is a good runner so I will keep it a while.

 

[MaPaHa]

Re: adding a third toon

If you want speed and turning I would look at a "Pontoon Water Glide". I originally put one of them under my pontoon and they do what they say they will do. Its less added flotation when you're sitting still (compared to the third toon) but less drag when you get moving because it gets the boat out of the water. A weekends work and instant improvement for speed and turning. Several folks on the site have them. It may cost more or less depending on how much you're paying for the third toon.

Mark

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: adding a third toon

No.

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: adding a third toon

I'm in the process of adding a third toon with transom built in should be done with it by the end of march.i also got mixed reviews about adding the third toon but moved forward with doing so after some in-depth conversation with a gentleman here that goes by brianmc he also added the third toon and was very pleased with the result. I picked my toon up out of Joplin Missouri for about four hundred and found others between that and 800 . Good luck and I'll report back with my results

 

[BrianMc]

Re: adding a third toon

You never mentioned the size of your toon,but the guys pretty much summed it up. If it's speed your after you'll have to add strakes and more hp. With a 90 and 19" tubes you might research installing strakes on what you have.

 

[Lonnie5]

Re: adding a third toon

im only paying $400 for the toon is it worth the trouble?

 

[MaPaHa]

Re: adding a third toon

If it were me I'd probably add it. 19" toons can use the help with flotation especially if you have a load.

One thing I would recommend that is a "must-do" is to add under skinning. Depending on how you attach the center tube you could do the skinning before the tube goes on or do it after. If you do it after there's more small pieces to work with in a tight area. If you do it before you may have trouble attaching the tube itself unless you use self tapping screws. Mine was done after with small pieces and parts of it were hard to get in. I would recommend to build it as an "ell" shape and take it down to the outer toons where water can't squirt out between the joist. I pop riveted mine to the upright section that go from the tube to the joists and sealed them with a "butyl" caulk where water can't get behind them. The top of my toons are dry and all of the water is channeled to the back.

This can help speed especially in rough water. A 19" toon doesn't sit very high and with much of a load and any rough water the waves slam against the joist to slow you down. With a empty boat on smooth water underskinning may not help much but how much time is that really? Most often the under-water is slowing you down. I've seen too many pontoons flooding water from the rear joists and it adds a lot of drag.

Do state the length of your pontoon and the type and age of the motor because it makes a difference on how we see the project. My guess is with a 20-22 foot boat and a 90 hp motor (rated at the prop) and under skinning, that you will like the way it performs and will probably see some improvement in turning. The speed is an issue between lift and drag and I can't see a big win there but the shorter the boat it won't hurt much on smooth water but may indeed help maintain speed under load and rougher water. If it's a 28 boat then the drag will pick up a bit and could slow it down. Let us know the length and motor.

Let us know about the prop also because you could probably make a change there and get some improvement. I run a "pontoon" 4 blade with exhaust holes in it and the hole shot is awesome. (I've had adult skier tell me to "ease up" a bit on the throttle coming out of the water). You may want to consider a three blade that may give more speed than the 4 blade. One possibility is: with the center toon you pick up ride but loose a notch on speed, but with the underskinning and changed prop you could gain it back. Overall you will have a nice handling boat.

Mark

 

[crb478]

Re: adding a third toon

im only paying $400 for the toon is it worth the trouble?

For that price I would try it out, just be aware that there will be more cost before it is over. Stainless nuts/bolts, will you need another or longer wiring harness or steering cable. Now is the perfect time for underskinning as stated above. Also before underskinning run any speaker or electrical wires you think you might want in the future. It will be much harder later.

 

[Lonnie5]

Re: adding a third toon

its a 1984 evinrude. what would you use for underskinning thanks

 

[The Rooster]

Re: adding a third toon

its a 1984 evinrude. what would you use for underskinning thanks

Normally thin aluminum sheeting using either self tapping screws or rivets.