tri-hulls

[fisher_ducky]

I am purchasing a '72 sea star tri-hull. My question is how does this boat handle compared to v-bottoms or john boats. I am hoping that a tri-hull is a sturdy little boat (16ft) and will be easy to navigate... anyone who owns one of these I could please use some pointers.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: tri-hulls

They are a semi air entrapment type hull which will ride pretty soft and they are fairly efficient with lower power... They handle very similar to v bottom hulls... Just like with any new boat, take it easy until you learn about any strange handling charicteristics...

 

[rocks beware]

Re: tri-hulls

Hi Fisher<br /> I also own a '72 Seastar 17' tri-hull. It's an awesome boat. I had to replace some of the flooring due to rot, but otherwise it is a very solid boat. It rides really well and is very stable. I get about 33 mph WOT with an old 85hp Johnson. I wish I had more backround on these old boats as I think they were really well made. Let us know how things go and if you need any more info. Good Luck,<br /> Rocks

 

[BlackSmoke]

Re: tri-hulls

Depends on the water. Tri-hulls don't cut through waves like V-hulls, so you wind up bouncing over the top of them and ride can get rough. Great if water is smooth. Stable when you're up in the bow.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: tri-hulls

Ditto blacksmoke.I owned one and it was a very stable boat but it definitely hits harder in rough water than a typical v-hull.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: tri-hulls

Agree on stability issue. Dosn't roll like a deep-V, but harder chop ride and slower speed with same HP due to more wetted surface. Good family boat.

 

[braindead0]

Re: tri-hulls

I just picked up a 1968 15' SeaStar a few weeks ago. I think they ride better than a lot of folks describe, that being said, this particular model the center 'hull' is much bigger than the outboard 'sponson' hulls. It pounds a bit, but at 20mph over 2' wake (from another boat) that 'pounding' isn't that bad... There was a decent amount of chop and at any throttle setting it rode very nicely.<br /><br />I'm getting 20MPH WOT outta a 25HP Evinrude... I figure that's not too shabby.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: tri-hulls

Yeah, people see the word "tri-hull", and assume they all handle the same, when they do not all handle the same. It definately depends on the individual boat. My tri-hull has a very deep V to it, so deep that when at rest the outer sponsons just touch the water. At speed the outer sponsons are not even in the water, so it cuts through any chop as smoothly as a standard V hull at any speed. There are tri-hulls with shallow deadrise that ride like crap, but any boat wit shallow deadrise rides like crap. It all just depends on the individual boat...

 

[braindead0]

Re: tri-hulls

So true, I have no idea where the sponsons ride at rest (I'm in the boat after all ;-).. but it sure rides nice as far as I'm concerned.. Maybe I'll sign a different tune if I put on a 75HP motor..<br /><br />I do intend to take this out to lake Erie next year (only if it's relatively calm).. that outta be some serious fun ;-)

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: tri-hulls

I own a Starcraft Capri 17 ft trihull it has a 85 hp Johnson and will do 30 mph wot. It has the deep center hull it rides nice...but when we are out on Long Island sound 2-3 ft swells the boat slaps enough to make your back sore after 30 min. ride back to shore. The boat is veeerrry steady you can stand any where in it with out it tiltin' very much. I also own a 88 Sea-ray Seville for skiing,in smooth water I still like the old tri-hull....Ted

 

[rodbolt]

Re: tri-hulls

hello<br /> I like the old tri-hulls too. mine is a 1972 19ft thunderbird with a 120 evinrude. does pound a bit if the sound is choppy but with trim and throttle adjustments no worries. the only thing my bird does is sometimes will throw a wave forward and up and let you ride through it.ok in the summer nasty in december <br />gook luck and keep boating