**Tritoon steering problems Please help**

[Boater1010]

Hi We have a 2008 Harris flotebote Sunliner 200 with the 3 pontoons on it. Motor is a suzuki 115 outboard 4stroke. Question is do 2 pontoon boats steer easier than one like ours that has 3 pontoons? Our boat slip in the marina does not allow for much manuevering as they are all close together. We had a 19' deck boat before and never had issues docking, but now its a nightmare trying to dock this tritoon. Definately does not turn on a dime. Could anyone help with information on this? We are scrambling for ideas? Maybe remove the middle pontoon and go to having 2 pontoons?

Any feedback is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[glastron50gl]

Re: **Tritoon steering problems Please help**

Hey Boater1010, I'm fairly new to pontoons too. My new to me 2005 Harris Crowne 270 gave me fits in the beginning. So I watched how my know it all friends did it. And I even asked. The best advice was to always have the boat out of gear when turning the steering wheel to manuver around the docks. This way you are not fighting momentum. For me this was a huge help.

Nutinbitin

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: **Tritoon steering problems Please help**

I had so much fun loading my 24 footer on the trlr in a crosswind I built guide poles for the tlr. Makes life a lot simpler.
Mike

 

[OldePharte]

Re: **Tritoon steering problems Please help**

I have gone through exactly what you are dealing with. My deckboat"s bow was a bit pointed and all I had to do was get the nose in and I was pretty much docked. The pontoon and it's blunt bow created some problems as I have only 6 inches of clearance on each side. It took me a while to play the drift and get 'er in. Practice, practice, practice.

My neighbor can turn around his 24 foot pontoon in between a set of docks with a foot to spare on either end and never hit anything.

 

[5150abf]

Re: **Tritoon steering problems Please help**

That is just how toons handle, the number of tubes doesn't matter.

Keep practicing and you will get it, it is s different boat than your deck so it handles differently.

I got a company baot once that was 28' long, docked in a channel, between other boats so every time you came in you had to spin the boat around, it was a real challenge the first couple times but by the end of the week end I had it down pretty good.

Being in nuetral helped alot, as you come in put it in Nuetral turn the way you need to then put it in gear, bump neutral ect, practice makes perfect but no I woudln't get rid of the third tube.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: **Tritoon steering problems Please help**

having a boat hook on board makes a big difference, you can reachout, and grab the dock, or push away.

 

[Boater1010]

Re: **Tritoon steering problems Please help**

Thanks for all your help guys. Much appreciated.

 

[steelespike]

Re: **Tritoon steering problems Please help**

I have had good luck using a little reverse to further pull the stern around
too turn a little tighter.
Good idea to pad the dock and leave the bumpers in
the boat till setteled. Leaves nmore room and eliminates snagging a bumper and messing everything up.