Question:
next issue for the pontoon enabled:
Pontoon logs generally come in two shapes: Round tube, and U-shaped. The
U-shaped variety seem to be foam filled, while the round tube variety are
generally three seperate air chambers. The makers of foam-filled, U-shaped
logs claim more rigidity and quietness. The knock I have heard against the
foam-filled type is that if water ever penetrates, it's a much bigger repair
job than finding and patching a hole in an air-chambered pontoon log. I had
written the U-shape log off as inferior, based on this point.
However, the more pontoon reviews I read, the more I see this pattern: U-shaped
pontoons tend to produce a better handling boat that banks in turns, where the
round logs tend to lean to the outside on a turn..
Any enlightened comments from those of you who have "been there, done that?"
Answer:
-Exactly! If you want handling don't buy a pontoon. They are wallowing barges
that have strange characteristics in currents and winds. This is from a guy who
loves his pontoon boat but I know what it is.
If you understand your limitations and how it is going to respond you can go
just about anywhere though. I think it is the boat of choice on lakes, back
bays and near in "offshore" fishing, diving or cruising. This is based on the
Gulf of Mexico (SW Fla). I know other places have other conditions and
requirements.
-Fishing, no doubt.
But, let's put it this way: If you were buying a truck, would you not compare
ride and handling of two models just because that's not the primary use
characteristic of a truck?
Apparently, different models of pontoon boats handle differently, some
signfanctly so. From what I can tell, the key factor aside from power is the
shape and size of the logs. Just trying to get some real-world feedback.
Also, an aside: Some of the performance data I've seen for tri-log pontoon
boat is pretty eye opening. Some are are as fast as conventional hull boats
with the same horsepower.
-If I were considering traditional mono-hulls as an alternative to pontoon
boats, your point would be taken. However, I am trying to understand if there
are differences within the context of pontoon boats themselves. That's what I
am led to believe so far.
