Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

Jonezy Hick

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Joined
Apr 14, 2012
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29
I got a great deal on two pontoons that are the same size as my current pontoons. I was thinking of making a tri toon but the idea popped into my head of making a quad toon and keeping my current transom.

This would be the easiest non fabricating, bolt on application.

My question is associated with the hydrodynamics of four toons. Will the weight of the two new toons justify the increased buoyancy?

And will the water move around the tubes and hit the transom in the same manner. I just want to make sure the new toons do not screw up my water flow.

If this is a terrible idea let me know

Jones
 

5150abf

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Aug 12, 2007
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5,808
Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

Unfortunately you will need to build the boat and try it to know if it will run.

I really don't think that you cna get 4 tubes under a boat anyhow, just not enough room, 4-25'' tubes touching is 100'', the widest your boat can be is 102 and that gives you no room to get under it to bolt the tubes on, if your boat is only 8' wide there is no way they will fit and this is not allowing any room for the motor pod.

It would be interesting to see though but I don't think you have the room, now 3 tubes would obviously fit and be fairly easy to bolt up but here again, you would have to run it it to know how it will run.
 

luckyjr

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Oct 2, 2010
Messages
169
Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

I had the same idea once but mine was because of small width of alum plate and small dia toons. you can extend your cross members and make it work but as 5150 said most legal limits 102. My son had a 9' wide boat and never had any problems. Or you could extend your toons in the back and make it a tri. Toons give you about 60lbs of lift for every cubic foot.
 

Jonezy Hick

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Apr 14, 2012
Messages
29
Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

The great/worst thing about my boat is that it is old and uses 19" pontoons. I will have roughly 1" clearance between each pontoons.

I think your right about building it first and then work on the depth of the prop. It should be easy to manipulate the transom after the toons are in place and a few test runs.

Now I have to start thinking about the trailer modifications. But with summer here I think this project will have to wait till fall. Unless I get some time off from work that is not lake related....


Jones
 

5150abf

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Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

Your problem will be you can't get your arm in a 1'' gap to bolt the tube up and even though you are doubling your flotation you are doubling your drag also so speed wise I don't think you will gain much at all and unless the new tubes are shorter than your old tubes you won't be able to get your motor pod on.

I don't mean to pee on your parade but these are problems that I see you having, going with 3 tubes woudl be really easy and it would bolt right up but I woudl certainly like to see a 4 tube boat.
 

luckyjr

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Oct 2, 2010
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Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

5150 is an expert he shooting you straight.
 

FastFission

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
134
Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

Your problem will be you can't get your arm in a 1'' gap to bolt the tube up and even though you are doubling your flotation you are doubling your drag also so speed wise I don't think you will gain much at all and unless the new tubes are shorter than your old tubes you won't be able to get your motor pod on.

I don't mean to pee on your parade but these are problems that I see you having, going with 3 tubes woudl be really easy and it would bolt right up but I woudl certainly like to see a 4 tube boat.

Ask and ye shall receive...

courtesy of Craigslist

quadtoon.jpg
 

dmoriarty51

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
305
Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

saw a houseboat style craft last year that was on 4 tubes, but it was probably 12ft wide 30ft+ long looked to be a custom 1 of a kind type craft if i happen to catch it out again i try to remember to grab a pic.
 

BoogieBarge

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Dec 14, 2011
Messages
14
Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

Here is one with 5...
Boogiebarge_folded.jpg
but really a totally different concept. I'd say go for it!

better view - and I would mention that the tenderness of the vessel would change. Meaning if everyone ran to one side with the additional weight and that much floatation you would notice a difference in the roll.
 

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Re: Quad Toon. Am I crazy?

i'll say it, you are crazy
stick with the tri-toon idea, tested and proven,
and send me the fourth toon so i can make a tri-toon also:D
 
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