Adding third toon

[marin072]

I want to add a third toon, i have a 22 ft pontoon and would like to know if i can remove a metal piece in front of the motor so I can put a longer middle toon. Pictured below, the toon i was told in length was/is
17 feet, if someone could tell me what this piece in front of the motor is called and if removing it is OK. I figured putting the middle toon would replace the need of that metal piece. Thanks

 

[jlh3rd]

that middle piece is usually called the motor pod. On my pontoon it is all part of the transom, all one piece welded aluminum, bolted to the crossmembers.
You need to find a trustworthy knowledgable person/place that understands the dynamics of adding a 3rd toon. Will that toon have the transom included.
Adding a 3rd toon will increase hp requirements unless you have enough already.
Adding a third toon may affect how the motor/prop sits in the water while underway. You might have to lower the motor for correct prop position, if it can be lowered.
Do your homework. You are changing the design/dynamics and if you are not careful you could make an expensive mistake.

 

[airshot]

There are a couple tri toons in my area of the big lake, from what I have saw, most all are running twin out boards on the outside pontoons, none on the center. One is a big tri toon, really big....has twin 300 hp. outboard motors, rumors say he can hit 40 mph.....

 

[RGrew176]

I have a friend with a 30" Bennington with twin 350's. He says he can hit 70 MPH with his boat.

 

[cyclops222]

Needs a 300' fuel hose to keep running

 

[captmello]

if your new log doesn't have a built it transom for your motor, keep the new log in front of the existing motor pod. That's what I did.

 

[Stinnett21]

Doesn't adding a toon create trailering problems? Can the new toon hang unsupported over time?

 

[jlh3rd]

Doesn't adding a toon create trailering problems? Can the new toon hang unsupported over time?

I'd think so...and there might be a simple solution, maybe not.
These are things that aren't thought about, until the "oh crap" moment.
That's why I say talk to someone who knows what is involved.

I looked at adding a 3rd toon from a company that sells the pre-formed, sectioned 3rd toon kit. I asked if this third toon could cause an improper prop alignment. The answer was, well, it might. Which if it did, would have led me to the rabbit hole of transom jacks, maybe reinforcement, etc.

 

[aspeck]

Most of the people I know that have added a 3rd log have done so with a shorter log that is placed in front of the transom supports. They also keep the boat in the water all summer and in the winter have someone with a trailer load it and move it to the storage lot where it is removed from the trailer and placed on foam and/or wooden blocks.

As for engine height, yes, it will probably raise your boat in the water, so you may need some adjustment in the height. Do you additional holes to lower your motor? Does your transom have adjustments, or is it fixed? If there is no wiggle room, understand you may need a jack plate to do what you want the pontoon to do.

With all that said, everyone I know who has added another log to their toon has been happy with it in the end ... but there was an adjustment period. Just talked with one of the guys a couple minutes ago ... got their toon back from the welding shop yesterday and launched her to see what she would do. Very happy with it, but are now thinking they will need to up the horsepower ... more because they can than because of the need ...

 

[cyclops222]

 

[captmello]

when I added my third tube, I also upgraded my trailer from a scissor style, which doesn't support the tubes at all, to a two bunk trailer. the middle tube hangs free, while the outer tubes are supported.
The middle tube is not that heavy, I'd say 125 lbs, never weighed it. I only trailer twice a year, 180 miles each way.

Now that I have the third tube, 6 ft shorter than the outer tubes, the bow sits 3 inches higher and the stern is at the same depth. I've been very pleased with the results.

 

[marin072]

Thanks for all the replies the toon I'm thinking about is a kit they sell that is a polyfoam ( pontoon wholesalers poly3rdtoon). From what I've seen on on YouTube, it's kind of straightforward, just 2 rails going straight up and down and then the toons which come in three sections, the rear the middle the front go in the middle, just push them in. When I call the manufacturer, I was wondering if I needed to put support for it, he said they're so light i don't have to though I only Travel with the boat when I put in the boat and when I take it out and that's 20 minutes away from my home. And to give you a an idea of what I have I don't have a high performance pontoon just 22 ft and already maxed out at 115 horsepower motor if that was an aluminum toon yes support would be needed because of the weight also it's maintenance free as well I just like a little bit more buoyancy once again thanks for the replies will let you know how it goes

 

[Stinnett21]

Hmm interesting. Also, have you checked out the T.A.P. fin system you could install on the other two toons? You'd be rolling then.

 

[marin072]

Hmm interesting. Also, have you checked out the T.A.P. fin system you could install on the other two toons? You'd be rolling then.

Never heard of that system will have to check it out and see

 

[marin072]

Doesn't adding a toon create trailering problems? Can the new toon hang unsupported over time?

If it's an aluminum toon then yes but the poly foam are one third the weight depending on size

 

[jlh3rd]

"I looked at adding a 3rd toon from a company that sells the pre-formed, sectioned 3rd toon kit. I asked if this third toon could cause an improper prop alignment. The answer was, well, it might. Which if it did, would have led me to the rabbit hole of transom jacks, maybe reinforcement, etc."

yep, see my post #8
if it's the Co. I looked into, they've been around awhile.

 

[captmello]

if you raise the stern by adding a middle toon, you better have room to adjust your motor down. If not, you're going to regret the whole project.

 

[jlh3rd]

"I looked at adding a 3rd toon from a company that sells the pre-formed, sectioned 3rd toon kit. I asked if this third toon could cause an improper prop alignment. The answer was, well, it might. Which if it did, would have led me to the rabbit hole of transom jacks, maybe reinforcement, etc."

yep, see my post #8
if it's the Co. I looked into, they've been around awhile.

if you raise the stern by adding a middle toon, you better have room to adjust your motor down. If not, you're going to regret the whole project.

forewarned....

 

[JohnSz]

Thanks for all the replies the toon I'm thinking about is a kit they sell that is a polyfoam ( pontoon wholesalers poly3rdtoon). From what I've seen on on YouTube, it's kind of straightforward, just 2 rails going straight up and down and then the toons which come in three sections, the rear the middle the front go in the middle, just push them in. When I call the manufacturer, I was wondering if I needed to put support for it, he said they're so light i don't have to though I only Travel with the boat when I put in the boat and when I take it out and that's 20 minutes away from my home. And to give you a an idea of what I have I don't have a high performance pontoon just 22 ft and already maxed out at 115 horsepower motor if that was an aluminum toon yes support would be needed because of the weight also it's maintenance free as well I just like a little bit more buoyancy once again thanks for the replies will let you know how it goes

The Poly3rdToon 3/4 tube is a diy install. Getting their full tube with transom is much more significant work, removing engine pod, motor, gas tank, etc. Most report better handling with a slight higher speed. I have had back and forth discussion with them. For my 22' toon, the engine pod is longer than normal, and could only fit the shorter 20' kit. He didn't think it would be worth it, and only recommended a full length tube with engine pod. Merc 150.

 

[jlh3rd]

waterglide is another Co.....
and this: