Elliptical Pontoon

[5150abf]

The latest and greatest from Bennington.

The tubes are the standard 25'' tall but they are 32'' wide so they offer the flotation of a 32'' tube without the weight or added height.

They ran one last week with a 150 E-tec and got 40mph, normally a round tube boat would run 35 or less.

Wasn't my idea but I was on the team that got this from prototype to production, alot of hurdles to clear, tubes like to be round ya know.

They don't bank like the ESP center tube boats do but handle really well and the added flotation helps alot with the monster motors everyone wants to hang on the boats now days, 4 strokes are nice but they are heavy.

A 350 Yamaha outboard weighs 802 pounds WITHOUT a prop or fluids.

Someday I will figure out how to post full size pics and it is a cell phone pic so it is a little blurry.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Elliptical Pontoon

never seen oval pontoons before. I really like flat bottom pontoons like the Ercoa (hexagon) and Kennedy (octagon). I always wondered why other companies don't run these shape pontoons unless those companies have those shapes patented. The seem to require less HP to go faster though I'm sure they cost more to manufacture. My parents had a 20' Ercoa with full furniture and a live well. With a 50hp 2 stroke yamaha it ran 22-23mph gps with 3 people on board which is an easy 5mph faster than round tube pontoon the same size on the lake. My 1987 20' Kennedy I bought hits 16mph with a 28spl on the back and 2 people, can't wait to try it out with my 70hp Johnson 4 stroke as I think high 20's are possible with ease.

 

[KCook]

Re: Elliptical Pontoon

Very cool to learn about this 5150abf.

"They ran one last week with a 150 E-tec and got 40mph, normally a round tube boat would run 35 or less."

Ok, but how does this compare to a traditional circular tube fitted with lifting strakes or a keel pad?

Kelly

 

[5150abf]

Re: Elliptical Pontoon

Chines don't float so they are only good for speed and then you still have to accelerate enough to get them to plane, the elliptical adds flotation so they sit higher in the water so acceleration and top speed are both better than a round tube with chines.

We put chines on these to, haven't heard what one of those will do but it should be better yet.

 

[KCook]

Re: Elliptical Pontoon

When I've run the old circular log 'toons, I noticed a lot of spray. It would also be interesting to see if these ellipticals cut down on the spray.

Kelly

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Elliptical Pontoon

Interesting report. Are these going to be available on Bennington's 2009 pontoon boats?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Elliptical Pontoon

Yes, we started making production boats in mid-July.

I have only run maybe 6-8 boats and don't know if they have made it to the the field yet.

I expect we will sell quite a few of them, if I get a chance I will get a better picture, amybe beside a regular round tube.