square or rectangular pontoons?

[alumi numb]

seems like they would be far more efficient so how come there not, flat bottom at least?

 

[5150abf]

Re: square or rectangular pontoons?

Round or an arch is the strongest shape there is, flat is the weakest.

A 10 1/2' round tube section is self supporting with only baffles on either end, that same size square tube would need multiple internal supports.

And it is easier to just run a tube through a roller and it is done where a square tube would need to have 3 sides formed on a break and the top welded on which would qualify it as a U tube so it would have to be filled with flotation foam.

So I would say it is both an engineering and manufacturing problem, too time consuming to build and not as strong as what is already being used.

There are several people making toons that aren't round but they are rare.

Basically round is the strongest easiest way to do it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: square or rectangular pontoons?

some of the fiberglass "toon" are using different shapes, i really don't consider them toons.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: square or rectangular pontoons?

had a feeling it was an issue of economics for the companies but for sure not you.
chinook pontoon boats are rectangular hulls but are more comercially oriented.
seems like an add on kit might be feasible if it were less expensive than remotoring.
thinking someone here is adding a hydofoil system to there's.
just got me thinking since there was a post about getting more speed without going to a bigger o/b.
thanks.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: square or rectangular pontoons?

Mine has octagon tubes and I like it, at about ~20mph with 3 people on board it actually "planes" out like a regular boat does. The flat area on mine is 10" wide. Mine is an older 20ft Kennedy, they don't make them this big anymore, they went to "mini" toons now. Ercoa is had hexagon tube and those also "plane out". The DOWNSIDE is when they are planed they ride pretty stiff when crossing waves and wakes compared to a rounded toon.

 

[ScreaminToon]

Re: square or rectangular pontoons?

Yah i have an Ercoa flagship with 28.5 inch HexToons.. flat bottom i have a evinrude 175 on it and it planes out like a normal boat somewhat it doesnt come up in the front but once you get going it actually gets ontop of the water