pontoon to tritoon conversion

[docster]

boat is a 2001 Premier Sunsation 180 with 25 hp Johnson on it. Toon is rated for 75HP i believe. Heres my thoughts. Purchase a used toon, that is slightly larger than my tubes (so if i have 20" maybe 23" tube, not sure how big mine are tho, never checked that one out.), weld on a transom mount. Put a 115-150 HP on it, eventually add lifting strakes to outer tubes.

Or....

Purchase the Water Glide kit, install that, beef up transom bracket, put a 115 on it, eventually add lifiting strakes to outer tubes.

The used tube, would be much cheaper (water glide is $2k). Its not worth it to me to go out and buy a new tritoon, this one is in perfect shape, and has all the features we want, plus my upgrades in stereo and lighting.

So on to questions:
1. anyone have experience with waterglide, does it really work like they say?
2. If i use waterglide do i need to do any reinforcing to framework of pontoon to add a bigger motor other than the transom mount?
3. If i decide the used tube, any reinforcing needed for framework to put on a big motor, or will the tube with built up transom mount be enough for that?


for center tube, i plan on it being a bit longer than the outer tubes so that it extends slightly in front, and hangs of the stern a bit so that the engine will be in cleaner water. I have seen people use shorter tubes, and there always seems to be problems with cavitation.

would love to hear your thoughts. My estimates put this at a sub 2k job with used tube, and just over 2k with water glide kit. Thats obviously not including the motor, but i have a 150 Johnson fast strike i can use.

 

[smoedog]

Re: pontoon to tritoon conversion

http://stlouis.ebayclassifieds.com/...at-logs-tubes-floats-new-and-used/?ad=6770692

This guy has a 18'x23'' tube for 650 and will add a transom rated for a 150 for 550. For half the price of the glide, you got everything

 

[5150abf]

Re: pontoon to tritoon conversion

You would just need to make sure the brackets will line up unless you have a welder or know one and it will fity where it does unless you want to move all the brackets.

If you are doubling the rated power I would certainly add 2-3 more crossmembers in the back to help deal with all the new stress.

This is certainly doable but it will take alot of planning and measuring to make it work.

 

[docster]

Re: pontoon to tritoon conversion

i do have a welder, so im good there. I would just like a 40mph toon, i think that would be much more fun, and faster out of the hole to pull a skier/wakeboarder/kneeboarder.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: pontoon to tritoon conversion

i do have a welder, so im good there. I would just like a 40mph toon, i think that would be much more fun, and faster out of the hole to pull a skier/wakeboarder/kneeboarder.

Hey "docster", I think you're on the right track w/ a center tube and strakes for what you are looking to do. I've done the "waterglide" on a 24 Starcraft, and it does what they say: 5-7 mph, in the right conditions, but it took a lot of tweaking to get there. A third tube w/ 150 Fast Strike sounds sweet. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[docster]

Re: pontoon to tritoon conversion

thats what i am thinking. Its super light, not sure how much weight a second tube will add, but the V6 faststrike weighs about as much as the 25hp 4 stroke haha. I may initial just beef up the transom, , add lifting strakes to tubes, and add a few crossmembers and see if that 150 will push that thing into high 30s, then maybe have a custom center tube built for my specific application, but being able to take my time with that.

The nice thing about this, is i keep hearing lots of people say, just sell it and buy a tritoon, well to get into a tritoon equipped the same as my premier currently is would probably cost me 20-30k easy, and i might get 5-6k for my toon, so the upgrade would be 14-20k. I got this guy initially for 3500 without engine, got the 25 for 500 bucks "non running", replaced the starter in it for 75, then worked perfect. put my stereo and lights into it, about 2000. so i am 6000 into it, then i can spend about 2 grand on the parts, do the labor, buy beer for helpers, cook steak for helpers, and for 8 grand i have something that would have cost me 20-30k easy (and thats used.)

 

[bav/270w]

Re: pontoon to tritoon conversion

you can find center pontoon logs with motor pods and lifting straits on ebay. I installed a center log on my 20' lowe and it improved performance and handling especially in rough water.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: pontoon to tritoon conversion

Docster:

You're asking too much out of your present small toon, relatively short boat. There's a safety factor that must be considered. Strakes are highly engineered-tested by boat manufacturers. Pontoons can be a handful when they get over 30 mph.

To get close to 40 mph out of a pontoon, you're going to need a 22'-24' hull with factory lifting strakes and 150 horsepower.

You should consider selling your boat and apply the funds toward a hull/motor combination that's closer to what you're wanting.