Pontoon Strakes; Do or don't?

[Egret189]

Hello all, I just recently bought a cheap pontoon with intentions of fabricating or purchasing "strakes?" for it. I hear that you must have 150-200hp for this to work. Well, i've got a 40hp mercury. The 'toon is a 20ft bassbuggy and is almost completely open and isnt very heavy. Im not looking to achieve mind boggling performance, I just would like to be able to plane and maybe get some more speed out of it. However, i have no clue what the dimensions should be, or if it would even work at all with my....small-ish engine. It looks like most strakes are just an L-shaped angle aluminum? Any help on the subject would be appreciated.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Pontoon Strakes; Do or don't?

Not even close to enough power for strakes to be effective. Bigger motor is the only solution that I am aware of. Also strakes are engineered to work. Incorrect design can and likely will slow you down.
BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

[Water logged]

Re: Pontoon Strakes; Do or don't?

My Party Barg 22 planes out on the strakes with 115 hp, but I don't think it would make it with any less power. I am pretty sure that 40 would not get anywhere near pushing your 20 ft up to planing speed.

Glenn

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Pontoon Strakes; Do or don't?

Not nearly enough horses.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Pontoon Strakes; Do or don't?

Although I don't think they will make a significant difference with a 40 hp motor, this tracker video seems to say they will help with lower HP. Note the performance difference with 60hp motors on identical boats, one with NV performance package (larger 25" tubes with lifting strakes) and one without.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0JwePW21I&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_stronger_r2-2r-8-HM

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon Strakes; Do or don't?

Welcome to iboats.

Agree, your engine is on the small side for strakes to work also as Jeepman said if you get it wrong they won't do anything or make it slower adn it will probably cost close to a $1000 by the time you are done, aluminum isn't cheap.

If you want ot do it get with a tracker dealer and order everything through them and they should be bale to get you all the right dimensions for welding them on.

 

[Cubbyblue22]

Re: Pontoon Strakes; Do or don't?

I thought about adding them to mine too.....but it's just too much of a risk putting them in the wrong spots. I may be able to get the dimensions from someone but you have to make sure the logs match perfectly. I have the U-shaped toons and so it's hard to find a perfect match. Also i'm not sure if it would even help much seeing as I have a 24ft with a 100 hp outboard. So yes it's a great idea and might help in certain circumstances, but it's a great risk.

 

[Egret189]

Re: Pontoon Strakes; Do or don't?

Okay, after reviewing prices, and such... Im not going to risk anything on this one. The 40 hp pushes the boat about 20mph, and thats fine with me. Maybe on another project I will look into it again.
Thanks for all the replies, Jake.