rounded pontoons

[Franky219]

Does anyone here have an inflatable with the rounded ends? I've read that they plane out faster than the cone ends(which I have). I'm thinking about buying a new inflatable and would love some input from people that have had both.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: rounded pontoons

If you're having trouble planing, buy smart tabs, not a new boat.

 

[5150abf]

Re: rounded pontoons

And how do you attach smart tabs to an inflatable boat?

I think the screws may pose a problem.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: rounded pontoons

You just strap 'em on with duct tape.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: rounded pontoons

Or you could do it like this.

 

[Franky219]

Re: rounded pontoons

I'm not having problems planing out. It's just time for a new boat. Mine is a 1982 and its time to replace it. I've gotten my moneys worth out of it. My question was does anyone have the rounded ends and how do they perform.
I have trim tabs on my boat and it planes easily but I was wondering if the rounded ends would make it plane out even better.

Edit: rude statement removed, no one would want to help you. no need for it.

Tashasdaddy

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: rounded pontoons

The shape of the pontoons has zero noticeable effect on the planing performance. The only thing that matters is how much surface area is aft of the transom and how far aft of the transom it is. So the bigger the tubes and the longer they are, the quicker it will plane and at a slower speed.

This of course assumes all other factors are equal. The type of hull and floor you have makes a much bigger difference on planing performance, as does the length of the boat.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: rounded pontoons

There are three end designs:

Rounded

Cone

Slant

Rounded are a little labor intensive, but, third world production so cheap. They have the least amount of drag as a design.

Cone designs are the easiest to produce as well as being friendly to PVC fabric limitations. Drag is usually marginal.

Slanted designs provide higher stern buoyancy, but at the cost of additional drag.

The trade-off in these three types is drag versus buoyancy. Depending on all of the other variables such as engine weight, boat size, etc., one end design might be better than another on an otherwise identical boat. In general though, the heavier the engine the better off you would be with more buoyancy. The lighter the engine, the better off you would be with less drag.
So, the answer to the original question is....It all depends on the individual boat, the individual engine and how it is loaded.

I wouldn't worry about cone design unless you plan to buy a very expensive boat that you plan to keep for 15 or more years.