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- Aqua Patio
- Bennington
- Crest
- Crestliner
- Fiesta
- Harris-Kayot
- Hydro Glide
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- Manitou
- Premier
- Princecraft
- Starcraft
- Stardust
- Sundancer
- Tracker
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Over my past 42 years as an engineer for Mercury Marine I have had numerous occasions to drive various brands of pontoon boats from
20 ft. to 26 ft. Generally, they have had on-plane handling characteristics that were not as controllable as conventional planing monohulls. These pontoon boats were powered by outboards and stern drives and
had a top speed of 25 MPH.
Recently I had an opportunity to drive a typical, nice looking 24 ft. pontoon boat equipped with the T.A.P.®
Fin System developed by Malcolm Sohm of Conrad Marine. I drove the boat, which was powered by a 115 HP outboard, in calm water, as well as in a 1 ft. to 2 ft. chop. I drove at a variety of speeds, both planing and off plane, including at wide open throttle (25 MPH). I crossed the waves at a variety of angles, and put the boat into a variety of turns from sharp to mild.
My findings were that the boat handled precisely and predictably under all test conditions. The handling feel was clearly superior
to any pontoon boat that I had previously driven. This was the best ride.
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After more than four decades as one of Fond du Lac's top engineers and product developers, Snyder's ears can tune in
the exact pitch of the two-stroke motor accelerating. His career included nine patents to his credit, most of which aimed to improve product safety.
Regarded as one of the leading experts in the
world, Snyder was hired out by Mercury as a consultant to investigate high-profile boating accidents nationwide.
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STANLEY C.
BILL M.
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WISCONSIN
MARYLAND
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30' HARRIS-KAYOT HOUSEBOAT, 130 HP IO
26' CUSTOM CONRAD MARINE, 115 HP
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STD PKG
SS PKG
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Bert Neuland from Lincolnwood, Illinois said after his speedboat broke down, "What a surprise! A pontoon with performance and ride in a 3-4 foot chop."
EAA TV crew with ESPN cameraman Dave Max noted the stability for capturing the precise footage of the seaplanes.
Dave Bigler from Smyrna, Georgia says, "while driving the pontoon boat I was amazed by how the boat turned and crossed the wakes of other boats so smoothly!"
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PAT C.
DOUG S.
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INDIANA
INDIANA
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25' BENNINGTON, 3 LOG 130 HP, ALSO 25' 2 LOG BENNINGTON, 135 HP
SMOKERCRAFT BOAT
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STD PKG
SS PKG
STD PKG
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From Pennsylvania, Daniel Phillips first said, "You look at the fins and you think something that simple couldn't work or make that big of difference." Now after installing them on his 24'(150 HP) Harris Kayot he says, "I'm sold!"
Don Atkins from Texas installed the fins on his 20' (70 HP) Landau Bandit and said, "It runs higher and dryer and it also turns flatter and bob's less!" "I also increased my speed" "I'm surprised that other boat manufacturers' haven't jumped on this!"
"It turns on a dime!" This said by Mark Oltra of Wisconsin after he installed the "SS Package" on his 24' (115 HP) Harris Kayot. He further added, "because of the added lift I received I had to re-prop to compensate for the adjusted R.P.M."
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DON M.
TOM M.
KENNETH B.
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WISCONSIN
NORTH CAROLINA
TENESSEE
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20' HYDROGLIDE, 50 HP
24' STARDUST, 90 HP
21' TRACKER, 90 HP
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SS PKG
SS PKG
SS PKG
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Eb Pyle, owner of Long Island Marine and a 3 log Sundance 2000, said "This is unbelievable! I can't believe what these fins [Conrad
Marine's T.A.P.® System] have done to handling and speed of my 3 log 22' pontoon boat."
Pat Marone, partner of Titletown Fitness Center of Green
Bay and owner of a 1999 22' Bennington 50 horsepower, said "Goofy's right. We glide over rough water and the bottom is dry. My handling is 100% better. In fact, I am up-grading to a 120 horsepower to boat around the Bay of Green Bay."
Al McGee of South Carolina and owner of a 1997 Crest HPT pontoon boat with 150 Johnson outboard, said "My boat was supposed to be Crest's best performing boat; but, now that I added the T.A.P.
® System, I have the finest performance. It turns flatter and it can handle anything. Goofy, you sure know your 'toons!".
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