Pontoon / Tritoon Boat Question
- Thread starter Toxic Storm
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Honestly, wasn't the plan for the day but we did get going pretty early! We had originally planned to do Gregory and then come back to Twilight and do hole in the roof in Rock Creek and call it a day. It kind of spiraled when someone on the boat said "it would be cool to see Bullfrog right now" and we decided to make the run. I do have a 100 gallon fuel tank on my Avalon and for parts of the trip we were running 50+ MPH to make time, so that did help.
I'm pretty sure we've crossed paths a few times on the lake after looking at the pics on page 1 of your Avalon! Great looking boat, love the colors and your engine choice. IIRC I saw you in Rock Creek at some point last season.
hidesert cowboy
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one other thing is running an outboard. these days they are dead nuts reliable. you have to try to hear the thing running at idle. They will also last the life of the boat for most people especially with the type of boating we typically do. after running an I/O v8 for years, the 4 stroke outboards these days are the easy button.
while pontoons aren't as fast, one thing to remember is you're not running a vhull boat wide open that often most likely anyways. Most of your time is spent at cruise. Cruise speed with a tritoon is pretty much the same speed. as long as the boat runs 28-30 mph on plane with a load. you should be able to do anything short of a wake boat. wake boats are annoying BTW. I do recommend a minimum of 200 hp for a tritoon. there are lots of 150 hp tritoons and they work. but you're going to run them wide open pulling tubers at the altitudes we boat at.
YES a large fuel tank is a must. my 223c has a 52 gallon tank and I plan on putting 2 5 gallon cans on for our next trip. probably overkill as long as I keep the cruise speeds in the low 20's my fuel mileage is pretty darn good.
while pontoons aren't as fast, one thing to remember is you're not running a vhull boat wide open that often most likely anyways. Most of your time is spent at cruise. Cruise speed with a tritoon is pretty much the same speed. as long as the boat runs 28-30 mph on plane with a load. you should be able to do anything short of a wake boat. wake boats are annoying BTW. I do recommend a minimum of 200 hp for a tritoon. there are lots of 150 hp tritoons and they work. but you're going to run them wide open pulling tubers at the altitudes we boat at.
YES a large fuel tank is a must. my 223c has a 52 gallon tank and I plan on putting 2 5 gallon cans on for our next trip. probably overkill as long as I keep the cruise speeds in the low 20's my fuel mileage is pretty darn good.
I was in Rock Creek in mid June last year.
Not when you get sand in your fuel & fuel system. Two years ago our Yamaha started idling very rough and was lacking power. We pulled the boat home & found a considerable amount of very fine sand had made it through the two filters (one 10 micron) & into the engine's booster pump canister. I figured if it was there, then it was also in the fuel injectors. After a full flush of everything it was back to normal. I was up in Page a few weeks ago and got 5-gallons of straight gas from Maverik in a fuel jug, which is about the only place I buy straight gas. Sure enough what did I see in the bottom of the fuel jug? SAND, ughh
I like it I had same problem with my Yamaha 200 on the 2275 FSI Bennington only has 25 gallon tank, note to self was adapt and overcome so I carry up to 50 xtra gallons depending on trip which are in 10.5 gallon verticals plastic jugs and just use a siphon hose to transfer. Also expensive coolers for Ice and adult beverage we are set for 10-22 days the tritoon gives us plenty of room to hit and unload at base camp. Then the lake is ours O YEA I bet you never hear anybody complain they have to much horse power. I moved up from a 50hp on a fisher 20ft pontoon I cruised Powell for 24 yrs, then I stumbled upon a Bennington with Yamaha 200 was more than I hoped for but I still notice 300hp on those tritoons.
captain jack
Member
I have owend a suntracker 20 foot pontoon for three years. Has a 90 hp motor. Does about twenty mph at Powell fully loaded. Not quick or flashy but has done us well. We load it down with food and camping gear for four for up to a week. The good thing is I can go around 90 miles on a tank of fuel. We eat, sleep, fish, and have good family time. Usually we head down lake and don't see the marina for about 5 days. You can spend a lot more if like
This is what we love about our Toon.
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