The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

[mod10g]

Ok like a lot of post I have read I'm a first time buyer looking at a couple of boats. One is an older 1995 G3 tritoon with a 150 mercury and the other is a 2001 Bennington with a 90 mercury both look to be in great condition. I'm going to look at the Bennington this weekend but the G3 is a four hour drive away, question is from everything I've read the Bennington is a top notch boat, but would the G3 with the bigger motor and extra toon be the better boat? I have some older teenage girls but I don't think the need to pull a tube all the time will be necessary. So what do you guys think newer Bennington "pontoon" with the smaller motor or the older G3 "tritoon" with the bigger motor? Thanks

 

[MinUph]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Where will you be boating? Small lakes, big lakes, Rough water? Personally I'd go with the newer one.

 

[fergusmj]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

I would go with the Tritoon with a bigger motor if the condition of the two are similar. But I also opted to buy a tritoon chassis and plan to put a 150hp or bigger on it instead of just buying a regular pontoon.

 

[tooltech]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

I was in the same boat as you so to speak 2 years ago after spending months researching and test driving pontoon boats I went to 5 boat shows and talked to many boat reps and owners I choose the bigger power and tri toon I am very happy I did I find the tri toon handles alot smoother in rough water also does not wash out when cournering when you are tubing I bought a 2285 southbay has a 350 mag inboard and a bravo 3 leg I know its a little over kill but I love the looks I get when grandpa passes the speed boats good luck in your journey

 

[The Rooster]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Triple tube barges weren't that common in the mid 90's and it may not have the lifting strakes like the newer ones, but if you'll be boating on larger, rougher bodies of water, Tri-toons are hard to beat. If that 150 is a carb. model, its going to suck fuel at a fairly good clip. Good luck !!!

 

[Malibu Rudder]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

I vote for the tri-toon and larger motor as long as all else is equal. Decide which one has been better taken care of.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

A lot depends on the size lake and how rough it gets. The Benny is a great boat but don't expect to break any speed records with the 90 on it. You can always keep looking for a newer tritoon with lifting strakes.
The tritoons ride a lot better then a 2 toon boat and I think it's the way to go.

 

[mod10g]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Thanks for all the input guys, I will check out the bennington this weekend and if the guy is willing to deal on price I may go ahead a get it, if not I will make the drive to look at the tritoon.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Are both motors 2 strokes?

 

[mod10g]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Yes both are two stroke.

 

[junkman41]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

I would concider the price for each of them, then I would concider how I plan to use the vessel, I would probibly go for the bennington, but thats me.
Good luck

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

It all comes down to budget. If at all possible, try to regroup and buy something newer with 4 stroke motor.

I have a new Bennington 24' tritoon with a Yamaha 150 hp 4 stroke. It's good for 40 mph, and will do anything I ask out of it.

The trick is to have lifting strakes on the toons to get the nosecones out of the water. You'll get substantial fuel mileage improvement and another 5 mph with strakes. And they're just so much more seaworthy than twin toons.

My old pontoon was a Starcraft with a Yamaha 115 hp 2 stroke. It accelerated great and ran good, but it hit a mph wall at just under 30 mph. And it lasted 27 years before I upgraded.

If you go a 2 toon boat, go for one that's 22'+ with 115 hp. The small engine pontoons just don't cut it--boring.

 

[mod10g]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Mainly this is so we have something to do in the summer as a family and I can keep an eye on two high schoolers without them knowing that's what I'm doing!!!! Just want a nice boat I can enjoy and if we are done with it in five or so years I don't take a big hit on the resale.

 

[5150abf]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

A 2 tube with a 90 will run @25-29 depending on load and tris are normally gotten for big water-to go fast or for large loads, doesn't sound like you have any of those.

You don't say how big the boats are but a 22 is a very ice boat with lots of rom and a 90 on that boat is certainly adequate.

The Benny is a really good boat and I think after looking at that you will kick yourself for driving 8 hours to look at a 14 year old G3.

There is a good chance I welded the tubes on the Benny, I have worked there since '97.

 

[mod10g]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Ok guys I'm picking up the Bennington Saturday, the guy came down actually under what I thought I could pick it up for (starting low actually worked for once!!!) So my next question is about underskinning and the under deck ladders. Is it worth skinning if your going to hang a under deck ladder on the front? Wouldn't the ladder basically undo what the skinning is trying to solve?

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Underskinning is certainly worth the small investment in money and time. It's also a do it yourself job.

After you pickup your boat, then regroup. I would think there's a ladder on the rear already. I personally wouldn't want a ladder under the deck unless it's on the rear end.

 

[mod10g]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Reason I want one in the front is for the kids to be able to jump in and swim off of the deck on the front while the adults can sit in the rear and not get wet. If the kids have to swim to the back of the boat to get aboard and walk the entire lenght of the boat to get back to the front they will have everything wet!!!

 

[newarkboater]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

Your on the lake, everything is getting wet anyway.

 

[Water logged]

Re: The old pontoon vs tritoon question.

A ladder mounted under the front of the deck is pretty far forward and ahead of the splash area. Of course that situation may vary depending on the front of deck to front of tunes configuration.

Glenn