Should I Build a Tritoon or Pontoon? Everything You Need to Know

What is a Tritoon vs Pontoon?

A traditional twin-tube pontoon boat has a hull with two aluminum pontoons beneath the deck and open space in between. These classic boats are great for gentle cruises and calm-water outings, making them a solid choice for any boater (especially beginner rebuilders).

As the name suggests, a tritoon has three pontoons for support instead of the traditional two. While it may seem unassuming, the extra center tube dramatically improves stability, allows the boat to handle more horsepower, and supports larger loads with ease.

Deciding Between a Tritoon and Traditional Pontoon Boat

Before committing, it’s crucial to think about how and where you’ll use your boat:

Water Conditions: Will you mostly be on calm inland lakes or more expansive, choppier waters?
Performance Needs: Are speed and watersports important, or are you more about cruising and lounging?
Cargo Size: How many people (and how much gear) will you typically have on board?
Rebuild Experience: Are you ready for the added complexity of a tritoon rebuild? An extra toon means extra work.
Renovation Budget: Are you willing to pay more upfront for performance, or do you want to keep things simple and affordable?

Pontoon vs Tritoon Performance—Which is Better?

Let’s take a look at where tritoon and pontoon boats excel best.

Tritoon Benefits

Speed & Power: The center tube adds support for better acceleration, top speed, and load handling.
Smoother Ride: More buoyancy means a drier, more controlled ride on rough waters.
Cornering & Handling: Enjoy smoother, more precise turns.
Weight Capacity: Extra lift keeps you riding flatter, even when carting around people and gear.

Pontoon Benefits

Calm Waters: Ideal for leisure rides, fishing, and sandbar hangs.
Budget-Friendly: Expect lower engine costs, plus reduced operating expenses and insurance rates.
Building Simplicity: A less complex boat is easier to tow, lighter on lifts, and more straightforward to store.

Stability Differences Between a Tritoon and a Pontoon

Twin-tube pontoons are naturally stable at rest, making them perfect for gentle waters and smaller lakes. They offer plenty of support for a casual boating lifestyle.

Alternatively, tritoons provide that added layer of buoyancy and balance that distributes weight more evenly across the water. This results in a smoother ride when the lake gets choppy.

What is The Cost of a Tritoon vs Pontoon Boat?

With only two tubes and lighter engine requirements, a traditional pontoon rebuild is generally more affordable. They’re generally cheaper to buy, power, maintain, and insure.

Tritoons pack the power on the water, but they also carry higher upfront and ongoing costs:

Construction: Three tubes instead of two (plus optional performance packages) means more boat to dent, damage, and maintain.
Engines: Bigger motors are necessary for bigger performance.
Fuel: Heavier hulls and higher horsepower lead to more fuel burn.
Storage & Towing: An extra toon means more weight, and that requires stronger lifts, trailers, and tow vehicles.
Insurance & Maintenance: Expect this area to be slightly more expensive since the boat and engine package are typically worth more.

Rules of Thumb When Choosing a Tritoon vs Pontoon

Are you going to a large body of open water, doing extreme watersports, or carrying eight or more passengers? If you have the budget for some extra fun and insurance, a tritoon with power steering could be a great (and significantly safer) move!

Are you visiting small, inland lakes, casually cruising, and carrying no more than eight passengers? A well-built pontoon will do the job perfectly, especially if you’re on a tighter budget.

If you’re still on the fence, there are tons of tips and tricks to make a twin-tube pontoon fit your needs! Adding lifting strakes, underskin, and the right propeller to a two-log pontoon improves lift, reduces drag, and sharpens handling. It won’t fully match a true tritoon with equal horsepower, but it definitely narrows the gap and offers an effective compromise.

Ready to Start Your Pontoon Boat Rebuild?

Whether you stick with a classic pontoon or upgrade to a tritoon, we have everything you could need from replacement DeckMate boat seats to fencing, flooring, accessories, and more, so you can rebuild with confidence.

Explore our Restoration Resources for tutorials, tips, and customer rebuild stories—or check out West Michigan boating expert, Tom’s Toons, for step-by-step tutorials.