20Ft Tri-Toon ?

[SAMIAM]

Really think you need to go to at least a 24' to stay dry out there.
We use our 24'tritoon in Fla as well and it does great .......if you take big swells at a 45 degree angle you won't bury the bow

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Really think you need to go to at least a 24' to stay dry out there.
We use our 24'tritoon in Fla as well and it does great .......if you take big swells at a 45 degree angle you won't bury the bow

I agree and think of 24 feet as a minimum on Winnipesaukee for a decent dry ride. You can go with smaller but it won't be quite as comfortable and you may not want to go out on rougher days.

I took a 25 foot tritoon to Florida this year and there is nowhere I can't go with it. I never worry about getting wet and the ride is very good. As Samiam said taking any large waves at an angle is best, not like head on with a conventional V hull boat.

[tis]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I agree and think of 24 feet as a minimum on Winnipesaukee for a decent dry ride. You can go with smaller but it won't be quite as comfortable and you may not want to go out on rougher days.

I took a 25 foot tritoon to Florida this year and there is nowhere I can't go with it. I never worry about getting wet and the ride is very good. As Samiam said taking any large waves at an angle is best, not like head on with a conventional V hull boat.

I was taught that's how you should take large waves in boats - and that was way before pontoon boats.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by tis

I was taught that's how you should take large waves in boats - and that was way before pontoon boats.

In the conventional boat by going head on (rather than at a significant angle) in large waves I try to be trimmed with the bow as high as practical, with the prop still having a full bite of the water. A few degrees off of perpendicular allows the boat to ride over, rather than slice the water but it will still feel like you are going straight at the waves. In a pontoon boat, the best way seems to be much more at an angle.

I have had the NH boat put on a trailer and gone from Falmouth MA to the Vineyard and Nantucket many times and the wave heights there can get very severe. It is definitely a learning experience, but also a confidence builder.

I will save the Chatham Coast Guard boarding and voyage termination, and vessel impound story, (when I was younger and dumber) for another time! But, they did send me a very nice letter!

[GusMan]

Back to the original question....

Several years ago I rented a 22' or 24' Toon with a 115hp Merc from Anchor Marine when we rented a house in Blackey Cove.. Super nice boat for cruising around with up to 12 or 13 people. But it was totally underpowered.. it took forever to get anywhere and forget any type of water sports. I would think given your intentions... a 26+ 250hp Triton would fit the bill but of course that's BIG $$$.

FYI.. I have a seasonal camper on a small lake in NH and I LOVE my 20 foot pontoon boat with a Honda 50hp. Of course with no big wakes and no water sports it makes all the difference in the world.

Different strokes for different folks (and lakes!).

Good Luck!

Cheers...

Gusman