Need Pontoon Advice!!

[chainboater]

Looking into a few different types of pontoons...Anyone ever use t and m marine out of Grand Rapids MI? They sell a 8' wide 24' long pontoon with 23 inch tubes. We are on a lake with a fair bit of boat traffic in the summer and local salesmen are advising us to do 25 inch tubes and 8.5 ft wide for more stability. Is this really a big issue? How noticable do you think the difference is? Its about a 3000.00 upgrade for the 25 tubes. Thanks for any comments!

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Need Pontoon Advice!!

T&M marine is in Grandrapids Minnesota, not Michigan. They seem to carry nice pontoons for the money (about 45 minutes from my house)

as for 23" Vs 25" the 25" pontoons will give you 18% more flotation/weight capacity over 23" pontoons, if you plan on running above 75% capacity of the 23's most of the time then get the 25's. With a lighter load I don't notice a difference between 23's and 25's. If you want real stability in a toon then get a 3rd pontoon in the middle.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Need Pontoon Advice!!

I just moved up to a new toon that is 8.6 wide with 2-25" logs from one that was 8" wide and had 23" logs. The difference in 8' and 8.6" foot is night and day as far as room is concerned. You wouldn't think that 1/2 foot would make much difference, but it does. More room and alot more stable. The 25" logs make a big difference too. Rides much higher and dryer. Also will carry a load much better. It helps greatly with a large motor too. Doesn't squat near as much in the back. I would never go back to smaller logs...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need Pontoon Advice!!

i agree with rick.