?? Can You add a 3rd Tube to Pontoon and Rig w/ More Power

[Caketoo]

I really like the tri-toon pontoons with the 250 HP and> O/B engines. I just do not like the price tag. Is it possible to add a 3rd tube to a 22'-24' pontoon and rig with more power? If possible how is boat rated from for i.e 90hp to 150hp. Also, while looking at tritoons, JC, Bennington, and the more expensive boats always pop up. Are there any pontoons/tritoons (or deck boats with pontoon type seating/decking) that would allow me to bolster speed with a more powerful OB motor, that are reasonably priced. Noise is not a consideration. As well I primarily boat on a 250 acre lake in Michigan. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Caketoo]

Re: ?? Can You add a 3rd Tube to Pontoon and Rig w/ More Power

It probably would exceed my pitly budget (15-17k) Capt B.. Just trying to buy up, and get the most bang for my few bucks. Any Ideas, good used tritoon/deck boats/ with 200-250hp outboard to pull tubers with comfortable seating for on average 880lbs?

Thanks

1987 Four Winns Horizon 205hp
1988 Riviera Cruiser 22' w 25hp

 

[5150abf]

Re: ?? Can You add a 3rd Tube to Pontoon and Rig w/ More Power

Cost is your enemy here, just a new center tube is going to be around $2000, tubes look pretty simple bu there is alot to them and aluminum is really expensive, a single 10' sheet is @$230 then add in labor and you end up with a pretty expensive peice and then you need to ge *** on the boat.

I would keep shopping around and find a tri in oyur price range, DIY for theis is pretty involved.

 

[BuckyBadger]

Re: ?? Can You add a 3rd Tube to Pontoon and Rig w/ More Power

I've looked into repowering my toon just up to the rated hp(from 60hp to 115hp) and that is a expensive enough. Add the cost of a third toon plus installation. Adds up quick. Agree with Bubba on getting it rated properly for insurance, liability reasons.

 

[Caketoo]

Re: ?? Can You add a 3rd Tube to Pontoon and Rig w/ More Power

I appreciate the info, now I'm considering a 1994 JC Tritoon 226 and repowering w/a 2008 Yamaha VMAX 250 HP HPDI. I got two HP ratings for this pontoon, 230 HP and 250 HP from JC Pontoons (230) and a Yamaha/JC Pontoon dealer in Flordia (250). Also, things to consider, can trasnom hold the weight of the 4 stroke 250 Yamaha? Are different cables needed? Will new bigger VMAX engine be able to trim up/down under swm platform. Ive got pics of VMAX and transom area of 1994 JC Tritoon. Anything else I need to consider? I need to pulll the trigger on this if it can happen. Thanks Again.

 

[5150abf]

Re: ?? Can You add a 3rd Tube to Pontoon and Rig w/ More Power

If the transom is rate for 250 it can hold the weight but weight is the lesser consideration when rating a transom, it is the torque when you are under power.

Controls are specific to the engine so Merc controls will only work with a Merc and so on so if it isn't wearing a Yamaha now you will have to get new controls.