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Pontoon Options: Choosing a Performance Package
Pontoon boats were invented for pleasure cruising, but definitions of pleasure cruising can vary from person to person. Leisurely voyages on calm waters might be an exclusive interest for some boat owners, but others enjoy the thrill of the wind in their hair and actively participating in a variety of watersports. If you fall into the latter category, you’ll want to add a pontoon performance package.
The key component of a pontoon performance package is the addition of a center tube underneath the deck. Three-tube pontoons, or tritoons, offer better balance and weight distribution, and allow for powerful engine upgrades that make for a more stable ride at higher speeds or on choppier waters. Tritoon boats offer greater stability and plane out faster.
Level 1: Pontoon Sports Package
If you’re looking to increase passenger capacity and engine horsepower while maintaining a smooth ride, the Sport Package might be the place to start. It features a 25-inch diameter center hull with high-strength aluminum inner lifting strakes to provide quick planning times and improved stability.
A partial aluminum skin kit reduces drag and surging caused by water hitting the cross-members. The addition of a full-length keel, from bow to stern on each of the three tubes, cuts the water for a smooth ride by breaking surface tension.
Also included with the Sport Package is a Rough Water Package upgrade, which provides additional bracing inside the pontoon nosecones and sturdier C-Channel brackets spaced closer together at the bow and stern of the pontoon’s chassis.
Level 2: Pontoon Performance Package Plus
The Performance Package Plus goes the extra distance, offering a full-length center hull that integrates with the motor pod, providing a longer running surface The increased buoyancy and greater control at the helm make for a smoother ride at any speed.
A more complete aluminum underdeck skin kit is included in the Performance Package Plus on all models except the Cruiser. This reduces the surging effects caused by water hitting cross members at speed. Inner lifting strakes, full keels, and Rough Water Package upgrades are also included, and the center hull is dropped one inch deeper into the water than the outer tubes, allowing the boat to bank into the turns.
Other advantages of the Performance Package Plus include an extended rear swim platform and a fuel capacity of 40 gallons, allowing more time on the water without having to scramble back to the fuel dock.
Level 3: Pontoon Performance III Package
For optimal handling and the greatest fuel capacity and highest horsepower ratings, the Performance III Package is the clear choice.
Featuring a 25-inch diameter center hull lowered a full inch, creating a V-hull design for increased control and drag reduction while on plane, this package ensures your boat will carve through the water with ease.
The Performance III Package boasts the longest running surface, which translates into a smoother, more controlled ride with maximum stability. It also features an extended rear swim platform and a larger, reinforced, integrated 50-gallon fuel tank. With the ability to accommodate engines up to 350 HP, the PIII Package is the ultimate choice for pontoon watersports.
If this basic breakdown doesn't answer all your questions, check out the Pontoon Performance Package page for additional information to help get you a step closer to the perfect pontoon for your needs.
Read about the differences between pontoon and tritoon boats.
To see your dream boat in person, find a pontoon dealer near you.
