Question:
Anyone ever driven a pontoon boat with a "performance package"? I recently
read an editorial in Pontoon & Deckboat magazine claiming the HPT pontoons
on the Crest products were there greatest thing ever. Also, many companies
now offer "tri-toon" models with lifting strakes welded onto the pontoons
for better planing.
Any comments on how these boats handle? How much HP is really needed? Do
these pontoons still ride smoothly at lower speeds like a normal pontoon
boat? Are these pontoons more difficult to trailer? How are they in rough
water (on inland lakes)?
Answer:
-Don't know much about the brands you mentioned. But there's a company
called Playcraft (sp) that makes performace pontoons. I've seen them at the
Lake of the Ozarks shoot out. Speeds in excess of 70mph are common. No
bull.
I think this is the company. http://www.playcraftboats.com/#pontoon
-I have a 2000 Bennington 25 footer with a pre-Bombardier ('99) Johnson 150
hp on the back. It does 35 mph with a moderate load, and the ride is great
at any speed. It is a tri-'toon, with the lifting strakes and the wave
shield. Oncoming waves don't wash over the front like in a regular pontoon
boat, the extra lift really makes the difference.
After spending time in a "standard" pontoon and this one, I couldn't go back
to a two-'toon boat.
-The boats handle the same as a regular pontoon given equal speed.
They ride just as smooth.
They ride great in rough water.
They sit a tad higher in the water so front large waves don't break over the
front as much as on a regular pontoon.
You will need a minimum of 150 hp and most put 200s on them to get real
speed. You still have a lot of drag over a regular boat w/ the same hp.
Trailering is no problem except for the added weight. A regular 24' pontoon
w/ all the furniture and a 90 hp engine and tandum trailer weight in at 4000
lbs.
A tritoon w/ a 150 on it is going to be closer to 5000 lbs tow weight. Plus
the wind load makes for a real truck to pull it at highway speeds.
Another factor is $. Not a cheap boat by any means when you get into that
much HP. Probably the cheapest boat is going to be $40,000 w/ trailer and
everything.
