Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

[Riff-Raft]

Has anyone out there ever tried changing a pontoon( tritoon ) from a stern drive to an outboard? Probably sounds crazy since I have a perfectly good running engine and out drive. I've got a 1999 Crest Carribean 27' tritoon. Crest just started introducing tritons to their lineup of pontoons in the late 90's. I purchased a "test boat" from them that has a 454mag with a BravoIII out drive. It's hard to get access to the engine..for anything but checking the oil. Considering going to a 300hp out board. Love the boat but wore out with the complex engine compartment. Pros and cons? Cost of a new tritoon gets me scared!

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

....some pictures of your set-up may help. Since it's a tritoon, it may be difficult to change out the transom, so pics would give people ideas.

 

[Riff-Raft]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

Trying to upload a photo

 

[Riff-Raft]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

Ok,that took some doing uploading the photo. Not the best but gives an idea what I'm starting with. That photo was taken right after I added a rear entry door. Since then a swim deck was added across the back with a ladder attached. Obviously that won't work anymore nor will the huge engine pod. Would need to be replaced with a outboard mount off the center toon. The real question is has anyone tried doing this to a pontoon boat?? I have read about attempts doing this sort of thing with Fiberglass runabouts. Seems to me it would be easier working with aluminum and marine plywood? Of course I'd use a fabricator that is familiar with welding aluminum. I love the boat.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

I don't think you'll be happy with a 300hp outboard. Why not just get somebody to do the maintenance work for you? Or sell it, and get what you want.

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

It shouldn't be that hard. I would approach it in a manner of switching out the center log to one built for a outboard. And selling the inboard log to recoup some of your money.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

Wow, I can see where you might have issues servicing that one! I agree, possible, and not that hard, but expensive!

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

27' - Tritoon with a 454..........Best of both worlds.....Ski boat with a big ol couch to lay on.

It would be intersting to see it being transformed tho.....

I my opinion...id leave it as is and pay someone to work on it....the money it would cost to switch it over, could be saved to pay the mech to work on it.

Wish my Pontoon had a 454 BB in it......Whooooooooo!

Good luck and ill be following.

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

I have heard at more people wanting to switch to inboard than I have outboard. I would think the center log would be fairly easy to sale.
sale as a whole or part it out I don't see it being a push but it should come somewhere with in reason and and alot cheaper than buying a complete boat .

 

[Water logged]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

Does anyone make a jackplate that would set the outboard far enough back that it would be practicle.

Glenn

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

The way to do it is remove whats there and add a new tube with a transom.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

On this forum, the Project Fishtoon post has some good transom info stating at post #77.

 

[Mrtoler]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

Replacing the center tube with an outboard transom tube would be the correct way to do this! You can buy those tubes from several places for around $1500 bucks... It wouldent be hard at all, I just purchased a 27' southbay chassis that I'm gonna power with a 300 verado pro and hopefully it'll see 50mph when I'm done. There is a lot of people that would be intrested in your center tube including me if you decided to sell it!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

A 'toon with a burbling BBC.... :rockon:

 

[Riff-Raft]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

I'd like to tie into the existing center toon if possible. This is a test boat from Crest with a 29" center toon and 27" HPT toons on the outside. Handles rough water great. To my knowledge it's the only boat Crest ever put together with that toon combination. One of the reasons I want to keep it is because of the hull. Since it was the first tritoon they ever put a big block in the boat was almost over built. I would have to special order a boat to get one like this. They're priced high enough as it is. I suppose the center could be replaced with another 27" that was dropped down to get the V-hull effect? The boat is heavy but I believe that's way it rides so nice.

 

[Riff-Raft]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

On this forum, the Project Fishtoon post has some good transom info stating at post #77.

Thanks..I'll check that out

 

[Riff-Raft]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

Replacing the center tube with an outboard transom tube would be the correct way to do this! You can buy those tubes from several places for around $1500 bucks... It wouldent be hard at all, I just purchased a 27' southbay chassis that I'm gonna power with a 300 verado pro and hopefully it'll see 50mph when I'm done. There is a lot of people that would be intrested in your center tube including me if you decided to sell it!

If you're needing a center tube for a stern drive it would work. It's 27ft long at least

 

[Riff-Raft]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

Replacing the center tube with an outboard transom tube would be the correct way to do this! You can buy those tubes from several places for around $1500 bucks... It wouldent be hard at all, I just purchased a 27' southbay chassis that I'm gonna power with a 300 verado pro and hopefully it'll see 50mph when I'm done. There is a lot of people that would be intrested in your center tube including me if you decided to sell it!

Where can I pick up one of those $1500 tubes? Any around Michigan?

 

[Mrtoler]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

I don't need the tube for my current chassis because it already has a center tube setup for a 300hp outboard, but there's always another project! My current toon is going to be fishing oriented for big water (gulf of Mexico) but I'd like to have a BB I/o for the lakes and party cove! PM sent
Ryan

 

[curtiscapk]

Re: Converting tritoon sterndrive to a outboard

here you go Bill is outside of ST louis but his work is meticulous

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