What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

[nhmaina]

I am looking at the 18' CC fish and fun by Avalon and it looks very nice. I like it because I can get a tritoon and get a tow bar that works with tubes. Very few companies appear to have this. I was thinking of getting the tritoon with 25" pontoons and a 90hp yamaha 4 stroke. I would like to use it on lakes as small as 100 acres and up to 14000 acres in new hampshire. I am concerned about the larger lake and how well it will take the wakes of the other boats. The larger lake as lots of other boats pulling riders and can get alittle choppy. I know my 15' larson bowrider was getting knocked around more than I would like. I didn't want to go much bigger than 18' because of the smaller lake which has almost nobody. Also, I wanted the tritoon because I thought it would work better with having 4-5 on board and pulling 2 in a tube. Also, they have the option to have a 27" center pontoon, how does that help if I am not after speed? Will that help with the chop? Opinions please?

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

I am not familiar with the Avalon but if the waves made it uncomfortable in a bowrider, you will also be uncomfortable in most any pontoon. But it would seem that you could avoid most unacceptable waves in a 14,000 acre lake.

The center pontoon will not help with the chop because a pontoon basically 'plows' through waves. The worst thing that normally happens with a pontoon is water coming over the deck.

Good luck and keep us informed of your decision.

 

[nhmaina]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

I am not familiar with the Avalon but if the waves made it uncomfortable in a bowrider, you will also be uncomfortable in most any pontoon. But it would seem that you could avoid most unacceptable waves in a 14,000 acre lake.

The center pontoon will not help with the chop because a pontoon basically 'plows' through waves. The worst thing that normally happens with a pontoon is water coming over the deck.

Good luck and keep us informed of your decision.

Thanks for the input. I was hoping the 18' pontoon would ride the waves better than the 15' bowrider, because of it's length, kind of spanning 2 waves or so.

 

[lncoop]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

Thanks for the input. I was hoping the 18' pontoon would ride the waves better than the 15' bowrider, because of it's length, kind of spanning 2 waves or so.

Generally speaking it will, but you'll take water over the bow, and if you get sideways in a wake you'll really go for a ride. Not really a big deal, but it might frighten your passengers. As for Avalon; they're good barges, but if you're concerned about waves you won't be happy with an eighteen footer. Also, just about all the manufacturers have triple toon models with ski/tow bars.

 

[nhmaina]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

Also what is your opinion on a 90hp motor on a 18' pontoon pulling two people on a tube, specifically a big mable?

 

[lncoop]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

Eighteen foot triple tube with a 90 will run like a scalded dog. Your tubers will have a good time.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

Personally I would see if you could go a little longer. A 22 footer would make a big difference in spanning the waves. My 25 footer pretty much is impervious to most waves on our 1500 acre lake and the wind can kick up some whitecaps.

With a shorter boat, the waves can not only cause bow stuffs, but can also have the rear end lift out and causing the motor to lose bite.

Just my perspective..

 

[lncoop]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

Personally I would see if you could go a little longer. A 22 footer would make a big difference in spanning the waves. My 25 footer pretty much is impervious to most waves on our 1500 acre lake and the wind can kick up some whitecaps.

With a shorter boat, the waves can not only cause bow stuffs, but can also have the rear end lift out and causing the motor to lose bite.

Just my perspective..

What he said.

 

[nhmaina]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

My only problem with going longer is that i would really like to put this boat in several different lakes and getting a larger boat in and out of the water would be more difficult. Having said that, the 20' Avalon has a nice layout that would actually hold 2 more people comfortably, but then you need a larger engine, etc. I just don't want to go down the path of bigger, more money, more maintenance etc. I would like to keep the size somewhat managable. Perhaps I am dreaming. By the way, I like that expression "scalded dog" not that I would ever scald my dog...but it gets the point across.

 

[lncoop]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

My only problem with going longer is that i would really like to put this boat in several different lakes and getting a larger boat in and out of the water would be more difficult. Having said that, the 20' Avalon has a nice layout that would actually hold 2 more people comfortably, but then you need a larger engine, etc. I just don't want to go down the path of bigger, more money, more maintenance etc. I would like to keep the size somewhat managable. Perhaps I am dreaming. By the way, I like that expression "scalded dog" not that I would ever scald my dog...but it gets the point across.

Thanks nh. Scalded dog is a southern idiom I guess. Your concerns regarding increased maintenance and handling difficulty are unfounded. Having had an eighteen foot barge I can confirm firsthand it's no harder to handle or maintain a 21 footer. Barges are pretty low maintenance beasts. If you're concerned with initial outlay why not buy a gently used one at a fraction of the cost of a new one? Lots of deals to be had out there, especially here at the end of the high season.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

It also doesn't take much to overload an 18fter. A couple of friends that double the average (300lbs vs 150lbs) that the mfg assumed and that will exacerbate the issue. Making bow stuff more likely and generally limiting the ability to handle larger water.

Trailering a few more feet will not be substantially different. Even trailering my 25' is not a big deal once you know what you are doing.

AS for HP, 90 on an 18 seems like a lot to me. I don't know that you would have to increase that much going a few feet longer. Especially if it is a tritoon.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

Also size wise, 7 people on an 18'er is gonna be pretty tight, you won't notice 2 more feet launching or hauling it and the 90 will do fine on the 20 but I agree with roger, it sounds awfully big for an 18.

I have never heard anyone say "I wish I had gotten a smaller boat", I wodul go with the 20 and a 90, I think it will work out much better for you.

 

[katman819]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

I have a 24 Tahoe Vista with a yamaha 150. I agree with others above--consider going larger, mayber at least 22. This is my first pontoon, but I have had many other boats. The pontoon is by far the easiest to launch and pull out. Handlling is diferent than a monohull but I don't think therre would be much difference between an 18 and 22. By the time you get a few people, cooler and fishing gear on the 18 it will feel small.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

A 22' pontoon is a high demand item on the used market. No 18' pontoon is considered a hot item on any boat lot, and we seldom see anything less than 20'. The Avalon is a great brand of boat--a sister to Tahoe pontoons.

The cost to extend a boat from 18' to 22' is negligible, and you would be better served with the larger size boat due to the larger boats being so much seaworthy. They're just much better values.

A 90 hp is perfect for a 22' boat. Go for it.

 

[PhotoBiker]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

A 22' pontoon is a high demand item on the used market. No 18' pontoon is considered a hot item on any boat lot, and we seldom see anything less than 20'. The Avalon is a great brand of boat--a sister to Tahoe pontoons.

The cost to extend a boat from 18' to 22' is negligible, and you would be better served with the larger size boat due to the larger boats being so much seaworthy. They're just much better values.

A 90 hp is perfect for a 22' boat. Go for it.

Up here (near NHMainer) 18' Toons are hot items and not easy to find used (at dealers or on CL). We are looking for an 18' Toon right now for next season but am having a heck of a time finding anything on the used market (though I might want to check more in NH now).

We are going seasonal at a campground about 45 minutes from our home and they have a limit of 18' on boats (the slips are only about 12' - 14') thus 18' is our max.

We have fallen in love with a Windjammer, 1885 (so 8 1/2' wide) that will serve us just right. I'm looking to put a 50HP Mercury on it, but we are getting a standard "Two Toon" type, not the optional center Toon.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: What do people think of an 18' Avalon Tritoon?

If you have length limitations, you have to go with what you can. Make sure an 18' toon will be accepted, as any pontoon can go longer than their stated length with the addition of the engine.

I would suggest you get a "big foot" motor, which has the larger gear case and swings a larger diameter prop for more pushing power. They are perfectly suited to the needs of a pontoon boat. A 60 hp big foot is also a popular motor for pontoons.