My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

[Bubba1235]

Bought an older (1987) 30' Tri-Toon with engine and trailer for $250 so I am confident that if I don't like the project work I can get my money back out of it pretty easy. (He said with fingers crossed.) Here are a few snap shots of it.

1. That canopy MUST go! It can not be folded down and has a ton of bolts mounting it. I towed it almost 100 miles at about 45 MPH and it felt like I had 300 sq foot of sail deployed. I won't be doing that again! Currently I am thinking a decent canvas bimini as a replacement.

2. Deck seems to be in pretty good shape from what i can tell. Feels solid and I don't see any delamination of the plywood. Carpet is going to be replaced.

3. The furniture is all garbage and will be added to my burn pile by the end of the week.

4. Same for the helm station! Straight to the burn pile. Not even going to try and save any guages. Going all digital with a computer display. (I think)

5. Trailer and toons seem to be in good shape. But a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint on the trailer is planned. Toons just need cleaning.

6. The business end... This is an older 150 HP Mercury but was overhauled (have shop paper work) before the previous owner died and the boat sat for almost 4 years. 11.4 hours since the overhaul. Have to find a manual and see if I can get the old girl running again.

Tentative plans:

Get the O/B running
All new controls
All new carpet
All new furniture
Remove the fuel tank and decide to clean it or replace it.
Install water tank and heater.
Replace the grill on the bow with a gas grill (or get rid of it completely.)
Install a changing screen.
Need to install some fenders on the trailer. Also need a ladder to get into boat when on trailer!!!

All sorts of electronic toys... (More on that later.)

Not certain yet:

I don't like the space the bow deck takes up (6') so may extend the fence forward and put in longer benchs.

Change the mounting of the axel so I can lower the entire rig a foot or so.

Bimini top that can fold and be stored.

Install a small gen set. (1200 watt portable unit.)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Nice project! I would just make that canopy with collapsible supports...... looks rugged.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Wow! That looks like an awesome project!! Can't wait to see the pictures of the progress that you make!!
Good luck!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Tower-O-Power! Great motor. You will have a PM in a few minutes relating to the 150.

I would either hinge the legs of the canopy so you can dip it down on an angle to facilitate towing.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

I understand your logic of not wanting to invest more than what it is worth, however I will say that I think it will be hard not to invest more than it is worth. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though because if you buy all new seats, carpet, electronics, etc, and invest say $3000 in it, you will NOT be able to purchase a boat comparable to that for $3250. Just saying-it may look old on the outside (which you can always change the outside looks too) but the inside will be just as nice as those pontoons selling for way more than what you have invested.
Good luck!

 

[boatflipper]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

I can imagine. It's gonna take a lot of seats to cover a 30' pontoon

 

[ddrieck]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

I can imagine. It's gonna take a lot of seats to cover a 30' pontoon

naaa....just take the couch and Lazy boy out of the living room redneck stlye

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

that's an awesome project though. Think of the possibilities with 30' of flat, open space

 

[boatflipper]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

I was thinking/day dreaming that I would use some of the space to install a cradle and lift to hold a jet ski.

Momma could relax with friends, I can go terrorize the fish.

That is a great idea! Just be sure the weight is balanced if you do that!

 

[boatflipper]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

naaa....just take the couch and Lazy boy out of the living room redneck stlye

What was I thinkin'?! That's a great idea!

 

[osborn159]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

while your bs'in ive seen some of the good ole boys toolin down the st johns just like that, couch on the back, lazy boys on the front sittin on a couple of stacked milk crates at the helm, obviously they dont have any female supervision. looked like good fun though.

 

[Caravandaddy]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Looks like a great project. Interested to see what you come up with.

Just an idea; but how about using gas (or is it hydrolic) assist like on a van liftgate for the top.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

You've got to save the top. That thing it SO SHARP! I understand it is impractical for towing though. Hopefully you can figure something out because it's much nicer than what you typically see on a toon. If you do end up ditching it, at least save it so if whoever buys this toon from you is slipping it, they can use it. I think it would be a sweet selling point.

I also like the big deck in front for fishing and BBQing.

A close family friend of ours had a big barge of a pontoon down in Ocean City, MD. We went out on that thing every summer when I was growing up. In my opinion he had the optimal set up for large toon. No carpet, just non-skid. No permanently mounted furniture other than the console and drivers pedestal seat. He had 2 huge wooden storage boxes, one on each side with padded lids and he had a bunch of deck chairs. It was awesome and easy to clean. Just hose it down! While this kind of set up wouldn't have a plush rich look of a fully furnished setup....it's practical as heck and cheap!

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Nice boat. I look forward to seeing how this one turns out.

My parents had a 28' pontoon boat with a hard top like that. They had it down Ocean City, MD also. It was a great back bay boat. Did a lot of fishing and crabbing from that thing. I really liked the hard top. Provided great protection from the weather. The only down side was it did act somewhat like a sail while cruising. But hey, my folks were not in any hurry to get anywhere.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

I feel so left out that my comment was not individually replied to

I guess my boxes and deck chair idea is out the window since your wife got involved I think you may be keeping this one Bubba!

 

[boatflipper]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Move the fence or no?

There is a deck on the front of the boat that is roughly 7' long. (Has the BBQ and a fishing seat.) When I look at newer toons it seems they all have cut that space way down in order to have more space in the seating area. Is that a trend because people don't want the deck out front? Would it make sense to extend the fence and just leave a foot or two on the froint deck?

Keep in mind I am hoping to resell it. (Wife is developing other plans...)

I wouldn't bother with the trouble of extending the fence. You have plenty of room inside of it as-is.

 

[Crazyju]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Looking at the pontoon at my marina, half have a trolling motor and fishing seats. I think you might cut out half of your potential buyers not leaving room for fishing seats.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

I love it Bubba! You have me wanting to look for a toon to rebuild now.

 

[ben2go]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Sell the gauges and controls on ebay or cl if you haven't disposed of them yet.That boat has had the wood deck changed.They originally came with 1/4 inch untreated pine ply.If you use wood,make sure it isn't pressure treated.It has trace amounts of copper that will dissolve aluminum fairly quick.Ask me how I know.Wait,please don't, the memories of my old boat are far to hard to re-live.

 

[86RajunCajun]

Re: My new (old) 30' tri-toon and what I plan.

Gonna be one hell of a partybarge bud! Lookin forward to following your thread!

Good luck!
RC