We discuss the difference between a pontoon and a tritoon and how the history of pontoon design has evolved to meet consumer demands.
The recent surge in the popularity of pontoon style boats has been nothing short of amazing.
But is this popularity justified?
I will attempt to answer that question by identifying some of the evolutionary changes that pontoons have incorporated over their history.
As larger outboard motors became available and popular, one of the major objections to a pontoon was eliminated. Original pontoons were sold with 50 to 95 horsepower outboards and were not intended to compete with full planing runabouts. But, as more powerful outboard motors became commonplace pontoon top speeds increased proportionally and pontoon boaters began to venture beyond their own local waterways.
Today, I would consider 115 horsepower to be the starting level necessary to ensure satisfaction with your pontoon boat. For some pontoon buyers, a 300 HP or even twin 400’s are not too much horsepower for their ideal pontoon. The current speed record for a performance pontoon is 116 mph. This certainly eliminates the concern that pontoon boats are too slow.
Another concern voiced by early pontoon owners is that the aluminum tubes used for pontoon flotation is not very efficient. Most pontoon tubes provide a ‘semi-planing hull,' while most other pleasure boats types operate on a more efficient ‘planing hull’. To translate, the planing hull rides up onto the surface of the water and skims along the top, while a displacement hull will waste much of its power, pushing its way through the water. Manufacturers are addressing this concern in several ways.
Almost all pontoons currently weld aluminum lifting strakes to the side of their tubes to increase lift and spray flaps to the forward portion to reflect spray. Even greater lift became available when manufacturers added a third pontoon down the center of the boat and introducing what is referred to as “Tritoons." While traditional pontoon buyers will say that the added center tube only adds surface drag and cost, my tests have shown that a center tube provides an overall advantage, both by increasing flotation and improving handling characteristics during turns. While all pontoon boats, even in a medium chop, will deliver a ‘catamaran-like’ ride that owners appreciate, it should be noted that neither Pontoons nor Tritoons are intended for voyages through ‘big water’ or strong winds.
Have you ever heard of a V-bottom pontoon boat? This is what some manufacturers are adding to the rounded bottom of their pontoons. The tube essentially becomes a narrow V-bottom. It’s not easy to accurately test the advantage of this change, but is logical that V-bottom pontoons will travel over waves with less pounding than round tubes.
Lets not forget about appearance. Do you remember the early pontoon boats? They looked like floating pig pens. Most of today’s pontoon designs incorporate smoother lines and brighter colours so that buyers need not be ashamed to ride in their boat.
Despite these many improvements with pontoon boats, I believe the most important benefit of a pontoon is its versatility. You can take your next door neighbour fishing, or you can take ALL your neighbours for a cruise around the lake. A considerable list of options from ski bars to party bars can be added to basic models, and ordering different bimini tops and full cover options will increase the ability to use your pontoon however and wherever you choose.
Pontoon pricing is as varied as the multiple choice of models, from “affordably practical” to “look at me" extravagant, but as long as you order your ‘toon’ with sufficient horsepower to push it to your destination of choice, you will love it.
That being said, the pendulum of boat model popularity is never at rest and already we see some pontoon owners needing a greater adrenaline rush by adding a personal watercraft to go with their pontoon. Who knows what the next big trend will be after pontoons? It may not even be invented yet.
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