You’ve already decided that you’ll purchase a pontoon boat. Everyone will come together to enjoy life on the water on this multipurpose, family-friendly boat.
You have researched various brands, determined your spending limit, and are finalizing the specifics. Two toons or three? is still a question even if you already know every single option you want, right down to the exterior colors.
In general, Tritoons are more potent than Pontoon. A tritoon pontoon boat allows for higher horsepower, dual engines, faster speeds, and improved stability.
Below, I’ve outlined how these two options differ from one another. Before making a purchase, this should help you understand which option will best meet your needs.
Pontoon With Two Tubes
Pontoons have historically been constructed on two tubes, known as toons. This is the typical build and how you can anticipate it to arrive from the factory; it is occasionally referred to as a bitoon.
Advantages
With the evolution of pontoon boats over time, so did the way people talk about them. Or do you need to upgrade from the basic bi-toon? The following information may aid in your decision-making.
The price of a bitoon is one of its main benefits. This is not a feature that you will have to pay extra for because most pontoons come standard with only two tubes. This is an affordable method for creating the pontoon boat of your dreams.
A bitoon will be sufficient for you if you boat on a small body of water that is generally calm. On smooth, small bodies of water, no more than two toons are required for boating.
If the body of water where your boat is is shallow, two toons are also more practical. Less boat in the water will prevent the boat from bottoming out in shallow areas.
A bitoon is a great match if you’re considering an engine with less horsepower, in the same way. A triple tube is typically an forced choice once you start looking for vehicles with more horsepower.
The less heavy choice is to go with a bi-toon. This is useful when selecting a boat lift, a trailer, and a tow vehicle. Regarding trailers, you have two options.
Use a scissor lift trailer if you’re only towing the boat a short distance. I do suggest a trailer with bunks for the hull if you’re towing the boat more than 10-15 miles.
Disadvantages
A pontoon with two toons has a few features that might make your time on the water less enjoyable. You ought to be aware of the realities associated with having just two toons if we are to live up to your expectations.
Two toons will not be adequate if you intend to boat on large bodies of water with significant chop. Three toons cut through rough water better than two toons. Additionally, your horsepower will be constrained.
With a bigger engine, a bitoon won’t function nearly as well as a pontoon with three toons. Most often, a larger engine is required if you are boating on large bodies of water.
The boat won’t handle as well as it would with three tons because two tons typically equate to less horsepower. When docking, you will have less control because two toons provide less stability in the water. If you dock in choppy water, this is a big deal.
The boat can accommodate fewer people because two toons provide less buoyancy. A smaller fuel tank and less in-floor storage will also be present on the boat.
After all of that, keep in mind that a bi-toon has its place. This is a cost-effective choice if you are boating on a small, smooth body of water with a smaller engine and fewer passengers.
Pontoon With Three Tubes
Two tubes, or toons, have always been included in the standard construction of a pontoon boat built in the traditional style. But as manufacturers keep coming up with new designs, performance pontoons are becoming more popular.
Despite the fact that performance pontoons are faster and stronger than older boats, three toons instead of two are now very common. This alternative, also known as a tritoon or triple tube, is worthwhile to take into account. Considering a triple tube pontoon boat’s benefits and drawbacks.
Advantages
There are many benefits to having a three toons (also known as triple tube) pontoon boat as pontoons advance. The extra ton and higher horsepower that come with it have a significant impact on the boat’s stability if you are sailing on large, potentially choppy waters.
A smoother ride will result from the ability of three toons to cut through water. Both while stationary and moving, tritons handle large waves much better than bitoons.
Not only will you have a smoother ride, but the third toon will also give you greater engine capacity. When looking for a powerful engine, the options are virtually endless. Great characteristics for large bodies of water.
You will be able to accommodate more activities, like watersports, if your engine is bigger. More cutting-edge steering and throttle options will also be available.
Tritoons are the preferred choice when it comes to speed. A third thing you’ll discover is that having dual engines requires three toons.
The boat will take off more quickly with a larger engine. Having a smooth ride is greatly dependent on this. Additionally, when parking at the dock, three toons make it simpler to maneuver. As a result of the extra weight, the boat will be easier to control by redirected wind and currents.
More buoyancy from an additional ton means you can carry more people and have a bigger fuel tank. In a similar vein, a third toon provides additional in-floor storage with a center-toon ski locker that is typically long enough to store auger anchors or water skis.
You might be able to access more high-end features if you have a third toon. Some manufacturers only offer arches or towers for triple tubes.
Disadvantages
Although there are benefits to having three cartoons rather than two, there are a few things to think about as it might not be the best choice for you. The following are some drawbacks of triple tubes.
When considering the addition of a third toon, cost is one of the key factors to take into account. Depending on the length of the boat and any additional features, such as lifting strakes, the cost is $5–10K higher than that of a bitoon.
High horsepower engines and triple tubes do go together economically. However, this might not be the best option if you want to keep the boat within your budget.
If your tow vehicle cannot handle the additional weight, having a third toon does add weight to the boat. If you intend to trailer the boat down the road or store it in a lift, you should also take into account the additional weight.
What kind of third ton they add to the boat is something you should consider when researching manufacturers. To save on cost, some will add what’s called a “pony log”. This kind of cartoon is 1/64th the size of a typical cartoon.
The toon begins at the bow but does not extend the entire length of the boat because it is shorter. This results in less running surface all the way back to the engine, which in turn causes the prop to encounter more soiled water.
Water that hasn’t been sufficiently cut through and smoothed over is referred to as dirty water. This causes spray both internally and externally. This can eventually cause the prop to experience enough turbulence to cause damage.
How to Choose: Tritoon Boat Vs Pontoon Boat
You ought to be able to determine which choice is best for you given the obvious differences and uses between them. A bitoon is more than enough if you’re boating on a small, smooth body of water.
I do advise considering a triple tube, or tritoon, boat if the water is particularly rough and the engine is powerful. In almost every class they build, manufacturers offer this option.
Although it is technically possible to add a third ton aftermarket, doing so is so time- and money-consuming that it is preferable to have the boat constructed that way from the start.
Test-driving both varieties of pontoons is a great way to determine whether you need two or three toons. It’s a great way to get a feel for the ride and see what other features are offered depending on your choice.
Cost may be a concern, but if you ride a triple tube, the extra money may be worthwhile. A decision based solely on price will not be the best choice for true satisfaction if you are unaware of the physical differences in performance.
Tritoon Boat Vs Pontoon Boat: Which is Better?
Which boat is superior now that we are aware of some of the fundamental differences in the tritoon vs. pontoon argument? In all honesty, the only area where a pontoon truly outperforms a tritoon is in terms of overall cost. Even brand-new pontoons are much more affordable to purchase. And if you’re shopping for used boats, the savings can really add up because many older tritoons and pontoons are currently very inexpensive in comparison to newer models.
Tritoons win out over pontoons in terms of:
- Overall speed and horsepower
- Stability
- Weight capacity
Pontoons may offer superiority in terms of:
- Cost
- Fuel
- Maintenance
- Storage
A pontoon may be a better option if all you want to do is some simple recreational cruising and fishing on a lake because it does the job better and costs less. Triple pontoon boats, however, might be what you need if you like to travel more quickly and want to do more activities like tubing and skiing at greater speeds, or if you want to host parties and socialize with more guests.
Conclusion
Choose a pontoon boat with triple tubes if you want a bigger, faster boat. Tritoons are larger, so keep in mind that you’ll need more storage space for them when they’re not in the water.
The pontoon is ideal for those activities, as well as basic cruising, lounging on the water, and fishing.
Tritoons are a great choice for water sports like tubing, waterskiing, or wakeboarding because they are stable and perform well. Consider the type of body of water you’ll be boating on because tritons perform better in rough waves. A tritoon is thus definitely something to think about if you’re on Pewaukee, Winnebago, or Okauchee Lake.
FAQs
Is It Hard to Drive a Tritoon Boat?
Driving one is not challenging. Driving a pontoon boat would be simple if you could operate a car. Even operating a regular car is easier than this. It is very simple to learn, but you still need to use common sense and abide by the law and safety regulations.
Can Tritoons Handle Rough Water?
Tritoons are increasingly popular for a variety of reasons, one of which is their capacity to handle rough water. Tritoons are more stable and able to navigate more difficult waters because they have three large buoyant pontoons instead of the conventional two.
Can a Tritoon Flip Over?
A pontoon boat, whether a bitoon or a tritoon, can be flipped with almost no effort. Their distinctive design virtually prevents them from tipping over, and reports of such occurrences are extremely rare.
