Tritoon vs. Pontoon vs. Advantage Party Cat
08-06-2014 | 09:43 AM
#11
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From: Murrayville Georgia
You are alittle optimistic. 24ft tri-toons are very generic hulls and no matter what tweeks they do to the toons (to differentiate from the competition) they are all within a few mph of each other for a given power. A 150hp is basically a 35mph boat, a 200hp is maybe a 40mph boat. A 4.3 v6 with 10 people on it is maybe a 30mph boat.
08-06-2014 | 10:03 AM
#12
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From: Ontario, Canada
check out a 28 magic cat, its a real powerboat that you can be proud of yet it will hold 10 ppl (not the mid cabin) a tri toon is also awesome once you learn to maneuver them for docking. You can share the boating fun with friends much more easily than in a fountain. I would only get a tri not a pontoon because of the speed, stability and fuel economy benefits and you can also run 70 with twins lol. You can also check out some of the newer deck boats like a searay sunesta they look a little odd but have a v hull and inboard and seat 10.
08-06-2014 | 10:06 AM
#13
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From: Central IL
You are alittle optimistic. 24ft tri-toons are very generic hulls and no matter what tweeks they do to the toons (to differentiate from the competition) they are all within a few mph of each other for a given power. A 150hp is basically a 35mph boat, a 200hp is maybe a 40mph boat. A 4.3 v6 with 10 people on it is maybe a 30mph boat.
Hey, is that a rental? Why yes, yes it is!
08-06-2014 | 10:09 AM
#14
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Wow opinions are all over the place but I really apreciate all the input. This is going to be a tougher decision than I thought. Maybe I should just leave the fam damily on the dock and enjoy my Fountain by myself. LOL
08-06-2014 | 11:32 AM
#15
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Agreed with the magic deck! Thats what I run and there is a huge resale market for them out west. mine will do 70 all day long. Also look at the eliminator deck, shockwave, conquest and caliber 1. They are all the same hull design, the deck layout is the only big difference.
08-06-2014 | 11:39 AM
#16
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From: Grand Haven, MI
We have a few of these "Lake Erie Barges" on our inland lake. I apologize if I'm insulting - I hate them - they think and act like they are a Ferrari when in fact they are my dad's Buick. Sure they can get up to speed considering they have outboards in the 250hp+ range- but they take up so much lake real-estate, wide turns and heaven forbid a skier falls - takes them forever to come back for a pick-up. The other thing that drives me crazy is when they are going slow around the lake - they fail to realize that they can get in closer to shore - (stay in the right lane unless you are passing!!!). I agree with you - there must be something that we are all missing - it seems everyone wants one -- what is even more upsetting is that Cobalt has come out with one for 2014.
I agree with whomever said this - I would opt for a Sun Deck type of boat - lots more speed, maneuverability and for sure would be a heck of a lot easier to trailer.
Sorry if I offended.
3pointstar
I agree with whomever said this - I would opt for a Sun Deck type of boat - lots more speed, maneuverability and for sure would be a heck of a lot easier to trailer.
Sorry if I offended.
3pointstar
08-06-2014 | 12:40 PM
#18
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From: Red Oak, Texas
I have an Aqua Patio 24' pontoon. Had a 60 bigfoot. Wanted to go faster, put a 135 on it, went 2 mph faster, burned twice the fuel. I have a third "toon" in the shop to add in the center with lifting strakes, which will be installed shortly. Research says tritoon is the only way to go if you like getting anywhere in a reasonable amount of time. I added the pontoon to a fleet with a 30' surface drive Scarab and a 20' Chaparral SSI. I guarantee it will be a speed and culture shock.
My buddy has the Advantage Cat. Very strange handling boat. All weight MUST be distributed equally around the boat for it to run right at speed. Very touchy to load, conditions, wind etc. Seems like a lot of work just to go boating.
I also have a buddy that found a 2000 Chaparral 236(?) Sunesta! That's what I would get! all the room of a pontoon but speed of a runabout!!!
My buddy has the Advantage Cat. Very strange handling boat. All weight MUST be distributed equally around the boat for it to run right at speed. Very touchy to load, conditions, wind etc. Seems like a lot of work just to go boating.
I also have a buddy that found a 2000 Chaparral 236(?) Sunesta! That's what I would get! all the room of a pontoon but speed of a runabout!!!
