We've been as curious as anyone to see which performance option would be better and we found out that on this day and on these two particular pontoons, the TAP Fins performed better. A third tube creates a higher ride with more stability. $1,595.00 MSRP: $2,153.25. He mentioned they have added them in years past to boats not factory ordered with this option and performance was maybe a +1 mph. I'd be very interested to see how the boats perform head-to-head.". Dave was only three seconds faster in the blue pontoon versus the tan one. Select use of Lift Strakes by making selection of the drop-down box on Input Screen #4, selecting “One Strake”, “Two Strakes”, “Three Strakes” or “No Strakes”. A simple strake, with both inner and outer faces the same width, will leave the inner face canted at some angle, not horizontal. Lifting strakes, while they certainly provide lift, have an aspect ration of about 1:50, so have very little lift for the amount of drag produced. 3 - 21'3" L x 25"D - (2 w/double strakes) - $900 each For a dual tube pontoon with a 115 hp motor, it's faster than I expected," said Evan. When we really want better performance, sometimes we set up a picnic on the beach with camping chairs and a volleyball net and we take people out in groups of 3 or 4. Both Sweetwater 2386 pontoons were powered with Yamaha 115 four-strokes with a 13.5 diameter prop and a 15 pitch. With three 26” logs with lifting strakes and factory-installed underpinning, this pontoon boat can handle up to 200 horsepower—extra power for cruising and pulling a tuber! For clarification we went to Malcolm Sohm of Conrad Marine who invented the TAP Fin system. Built to stand the last and engineered to stand the test of time, our AquaPatio pulls out all the stops when it comes to pontoon perfection. #4. He had already lowered both bimini tops, topped off the gas in the boats and installed brand new propellers by the time we arrived. Fin System With the T.A.P. At the cruising RPM of 3000, both pontoons were near the 9.5 mph mark, but it was the top speed where we noticed the real difference. The idea is the more surface in the water, the better the pontoon will corner, not slide. This video shows what happens from 5 to 35 mph on a 25 foot Tritoon. Next we wanted to see if there was a difference in the 0-20 mph time between the lifting strakes and the TAP Fins. Lifting strakes improve planing times and increase horsepower capabilities. SUN TRACKER XP3 performance models feature three 26"-diameter pontoon logs with a total of four performance lifting strakes—two on the middle log and one on the inboard side of each exterior log—for enhanced all-around performance, including faster planing, higher top-end speeds and tighter handling. When you're enjoying your new Godfrey pontoon, make sure you and all passengers aboard obey all applicable laws and follow all warnings and instructions in the owner's manual. The only difference in the nearly identical pontoon boats-one has TAP Fins and the other has lifting strakes. Custom Applications 94. So the final question to ask would be the difference in cost. TBDP©/VBDP© accounts for the use of Lifting Strakes in your hull design. pontoon logs, however we measure these logs to be 21' 6" x 25" Dia. "The only other difference is that one is blue and the other is tan. For those that just want to cruise with no need to pull tubes and skiers. Lifting strakes are aluminum rods welded along the length of the pontoons to divert the waters drag force. Brand . As we walked away from the Ramsey Creek dock it felt good to finally have the data and information that we've been in search of for so long. "The only other difference is that one is blue and the other is tan. Check with your local dealer for current engine hp certifications. Upgradable 25" Sport Tube with lifting strakes. USED ROUND Pontoon Tubes in Stock: 2 - 20'L x 25"D 1LS 1RS - $650 each 1 - 20'1" L x 25" D 1LS - $650 each 1 - 20'9"L x 25"D -Black Storage Log - $700 each . If it is someone else's design, is the designer around who could advise you on shape and placement? Many lifting strakes use negative angles, which can generate lift, but can hurt the quality of the ride due to increased slamming loads. After a solid round of testing, the TAP Fins out-performed the lifting strakes in all the different phases of our test. Still, we were working with two very similar pontoons for our test so we weren't about to complain. Color(s) Grays/Greys/Silvers 89. Sometimes the best days on the water with family and friends are when you do nothing at all. Our Sport Tube gives you unsurpassed maneuverability, improved handling and better sport performance. Both SPS packages include 3 full-length 25" diameter pontoons, lifting strakes on the center pontoon, performance foils on the inside of the outer pontoons, solid round keels, under deck wave shield, SeaStar hydraulic steering, and a 32-gallon transom fuel tank on select models. We ran the course twice with each boat and then average the times. Thanks to Evan Davis, the owner of Boat Club of Lake Norman in North Carolina, we finally found the right testing situation. He wanted everything to be as fair and as equal as possible for our evaluation. Get Lifting Strakes. Fin System, the water is channelled back down, creating lift, increasing control and performance. Mounted at the waterline the T.A.P. How the T.A.P. I am also going to skin the deck's underside and add lifting strakes to the two existing pontoons. Lifting Strakes Two stage lifting strakes - invasive species flush: If you want performance, Barletta Pontoon Boats will give you just that. For years we've been trying to find the right situation to compare the TAP Fins by Conrad Marine to manufacturer lifting strakes. Pure, focused and purpose-built, the SR Cruise is available in 17 to 21-foot lengths with a capacity up to 12 people and a maximum 150-horsepower rating. Our Two Tube technology gives you a comfortable, responsive ride that challenges the competition’s triple tubes. Evan was as anxious as we were to see which performance option improved the most and that made our job a lot easier. Upgradable 25" Sport Tube with lifting strakes. WaveCutter nosecones effortlessly slice through the water for a smooth ride. The water literally slides over the strakes, as opposed to coming head to head with the base of the boat. The blue Sweetwater with lifting strakes completed the course with an average time of 2:22, while the tan version with TAP Fins had an average time of 2:10. "The cornering is tight and flat and the ride is super quiet because there is no spray deflecting up onto the sub-floor.". While some manufacturers put lifting strakes on the outside, Harris lifting strakes are on the inside. "For performance and handling I really like the tan boat with TAP Fins on it. The only difference in the nearly identical pontoon boats-one has TAP Fins and the other has lifting strakes. "We have the exact same options and configurations between these boats that are nearly identical," explained Evan when he first contacted PDB magazine. Ultra 25" tubes with heavy-duty decking and exclusive Slipstream. Our unique, two-stage lifting strakes will get you on top of the water quickly and get you in and out of the corners like a pro. By contrast, our strakes facilitate a smooth ride and enhance the nimble reflexes of a V-Toon. 1 - 22'L x 25"D with one Lifting Strake (-) 0RS 1LS - $1000 each . Our biggest challenge? Lifting strakes will also support your boats performance in rough waters. Come aboard and get ready for a slow-down. The "MAX LIFT" kit is for installing strakes on both sides of both toons to achieve maximum lift. The Sweetwater Traditional Fishing model combines the treasured gift of family and your passion to fish in a pontoon where versatility, value and long-lasting quality come together in your choice of 20 to 22-foot lengths. Ensuring fun in the sun every day you're out on the water, you'll love this versatile show-stopper! Thanks to Starcraft advancements in pontoon performance, you can now take full advantage of all the freedom and flexibility a pontoon boat has to offer. All aboard the newest pontoon in the market, the Sweetwater Xperience! In short, pontoon lifting strakes provide the ability for your boat to increase speed by lifting the boat to the surface of the water. Lifting strakes are deliberately angled so that the inner face is horizontal. When I added strakes to the side toons it gained lift but not enough speed to talk about. 3M 1. "On average when compared to lifting strakes installed by a manufacturer, the TAP Fins are around 20 percent less expensive and that includes inside and outside Fins," explains Sohm. Turns out it didn't make that much of a difference. The strakes, welded directly onto the pontoons, produce lift at the bow by displacing water, allowing the boat to, in essence, glide above the water rather than lumber through it. All that was left now was to put the throttle down and see which boat went faster. NOTE: The manufacturer calls these 22' x 25" Dia. Never boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We did the full throttle test from idle to 20 miles per hour three times going in one direction, then three times in the opposite direction and then averaged all the times. To make it more official, we recruited a local family that just happened to be near the dock when we first arrived. Godfrey® is a registered trademark of Pontoon Boats, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc. "Personally if I ordered another boat it would probably come down to price," says Evan. From an economic standpoint the TAP Fins would be the way to go because I believe they are less expensive than the strakes.". Pontoon manufacturers have experimented with tubes of different sizes and shapes always trying to improve cornering. The tan TAP Fin Sweetwater topped out at 5800 RPMs, reaching a full mile and a half faster at 25.0 mph. We mostly run about 22 to 25 mph when cruising. I asked my dealer about adding on lifting strakes to my 22' pontoon SLi. We kept the Magnone family onboard for each testing phase so everything would be as accurate as possible. There is also a significant amount better MPG because the boat is on top of the water rather than plowing through the water. Modern high performance pontoons have lifting strakes welded to the bottom sides of the pontoon. This kit is for those who desire maximum lift when carrying heavy loads with no need for performance turning capabilities, but desire the capability to plain out. In other words, it’s all about balance. If you are designing the boat yourself, put them in. The third pontoon had lifting strakes on it when I installed it but at that point no strakes on the side toons. "The boat is fast. from tip to tip. The strakes easily lift the nose out of the water, and you can really feel the deck lift from 30 mph and above--almost like a tunnel hull boat. The third pontoon that is being added has lifting strakes on both sides. Finding two identical pontoon boats with identical engines so these two performance options could truly be tested, compared and evaluated. Shop our huge selection of center tri toon pontoon logs, single pontoon logs, and pontoon log accessories at Great Lakes Skipper. The Boat Club offers a wide variety of boats to its members so that the cost of ownership, maintenance and storage is taken out of the equation. Make memories that last a lifetime on our Godfrey AquaPatio Twin. The blue Sweetwater with lifting strakes had an average 0-20 mph time of 9.72 seconds, while the tan Sweetwater with TAP fins had more than a second quicker time of 8.05 seconds. We do this because the inner strake design allows the pontoon to bank into turns. Lifting strakes help the pontoon corner. And just like that we were finally in business. Get closer to the action with an open deck design and purposeful seating throughout including available bow and stern fishing chairs in your choice of 17 to 21-foot length decks. We strive to excite, thrill and spoil your family with exhilarating performance with the added benefit of increased stability and safety. Type your paragraph here. "I felt like the blue boat was faster for some reason," said Evan. Full Length Keel Strips Along with both sides, the bottom of the pontoon also has strakes. It was smoother running through the course where I felt the blue boat had to work harder.". Each lifting strake is approximately 203" L. See photos for measurements. ELEVATE your experience with sport boat-style speed and handling. This was when I took the water glide off and I lost between 1-3 mph but gained front lift and all the other stuff already mentioned. Find the right Godfrey Pontoon Boat for you. Pontoon Log A has a lifting strake on the starboard side. Thus maximizing the lift. 1 - 23'L x 25"D with one Lifting Strake 1LS - $1050 each . Some builders of multihulls have had great success with adding … A variety of seating and lounging capabilities allow you to chill during the heat of the day and cruise the sunset after. More weight support increases passenger capacity. That last a lifetime on our AquaPatio Windshield model reserve a boat and simply. 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