benefit of the 3rd toon?

[timeforfun]

First, let me say thanks for any thoughts/answers. Happy to have stubbled upon this forum...

We (my hubby and I) are new to boat ownership. We have 2 seadoos, but it's time for the change

We are looking at a used tritoon and really could answer what the tri instead of just the pontoon. We are starting with a used boat....craiglist....
I think it is a 2001 Odyssey 21ft with a 190...for $14000

so any help with the above question or cautions when buying a used boat is helpful...

thanks for your time
lisa

 

[5150abf]

Re: benefit of the 3rd toon?

Welcome to iboats!

A 3rd tube especially on a smaller boat like a 21 is well worth the money, basically it increases your flotation and load by 1/3, they ride alot better and higher in the water, the down side being you need that much more power to push them.

I/Os require a bit more maintanence than an outboard boat so plan on paying to have it winterized each fall and there are other things that need attantion from time to time like gimbal bearings and bellows and such so I/O are bit more expensive to own in the long run.

A gimbal bearing is on the drive shaft between the engine and outdrive and the bellows is a rubber peice on the outdrive that keeps the water in the lake and out of you boat, they both go bad eventually and are alittle spendy to replace.

Not really much to look at with a toon, eveything is out in the open and easily inspected, walk the deck and make sure it is solid everywhere and have the engine inspected by a professional and cetainly run it on the water if at all possible.

As to the Oddesy, they are a more entry level boat and weren't know for super good quality, not saying it isn't a good boat just that there are better and the price seems a bit high for a 10 year old boat but that depends where you are located, that may be the going rate where you are.

Spend some time looking, the last thing you want to do when looking for a boat is to get in a hurry, look around and the right boat will find you.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: benefit of the 3rd toon?

+1 to everything 5150 said. The third pontoon allows the bigger V6 engines to be mounted on the transom. Triple toons definetly handle rougher water better than twin tube barges. Depends on where you guys will be boating, and what kind of water sports you want to do, as to weather a third toon is worth the price. The price does seem a bit high, but if it's been maintained well and doesn't have extreme hours on the engine you might negotiate a bargin. Go price a new one and see what I mean. Good luck, and keep us posted. !!!

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: benefit of the 3rd toon?

GO for a boat ride before purchase