Key Takeaways
- Pontoons have two buoyancy tubes, while tritoons have three. Both boats offer their own advantages depending on your planned activities.
- Pontoon rentals are cheaper than tritoon ones. The latter offer more speed and better performance on rough water, especially with larger groups.
- Cherokee Lake is largely calm with a weak current, barring certain spots where you may need a more powerful engine.
- Roscoe & Hooch offers a large variety of high-quality rental boats and watercraft, including pontoons and tritoons.
There’s nothing quite like spending a day on the lake with your family or friends. There’s just so much you can do and explore, especially at a scenic spot like Cherokee Lake. Whether you’re looking for some adventure, a quiet day out fishing, or simply an enjoyable time with some good company, you can do it here in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
If you’re considering going boating in a group, especially on lakes in the Southern U.S., you’ll often have two options: pontoons and tritoons.
At first glance, they look the same, but they differ significantly. Here’s more on pontoon vs tritoon rentals on Cherokee Lake.
What Are Pontoons and Tritoons?
A pontoon is a stable, more-or-less flat recreational boat, perfect for calm waters. It relies on two hollow metal tubes, or “toons,” underneath the deck for buoyancy. Equipped with a motor and able to carry multiple people, it’s perfect for a group outing for cruising, entertaining, or even watersports on a lake.
The main difference between a pontoon and tritoon is that the latter has three tubes instead of two. While this may seem quite simple, the third tube makes a big difference in performance and how you can use the boat.
Ultimately, the choice of pontoon vs tritoon rentals comes down to lifestyle and personal preferences.
Understanding the Difference Between Pontoons and Tritoons
While both pontoons and tritoons are fun, depending on where you’re boating and what you intend to do on the day, one could be better suited than the other.
1. Speed and Horsepower
If you’re looking for speed and horsepower, tritoon rentals are the way to go over pontoons. The three tubes and bigger size allow tritoons to distribute the weight more evenly and accommodate larger engines.
- Traditional pontoons are ideal for cruising at around 15-30 mph.
- Tritoons can comfortably race at over 40 mph when paired with a 150-200 horsepower engine. Some models even support higher horsepower.
2. Stability
One of the more important concerns when choosing between pontoon versus tritoon rentals is ride quality and performance over rough water.
Pontoons are great for boating on calm lakes and smaller bodies of water, offering a stable, relaxing ride. However, if you plan to be out in choppier afternoon conditions or stronger currents, tritoons are a better bet.
The third tube keeps the boat from rocking too much, and the extra buoyancy can provide a noticeably smoother ride when it’s windy or turbulent out on the lake.
3. Price
Tritoon rentals cost more than pontoon ones. The added horsepower and stability come with a moderate cost increase.
At Roscoe & Hooch, a typical 115 HP pontoon rental is $200 for four hours, versus $325 for a tritoon with 150 HP.
Most of our customers find that pontoons serve them perfectly well for casual boating activities in complete comfort. If you need added horsepower or carrying capacity, explore tritoon rentals instead of pontoons.
4. Passenger Capacity
A significant difference between pontoons and tritoons is that the latter can carry the same number of passengers at higher performance levels.
Our pontoons can comfortably seat 8-12 passengers. The third tube on a tritoon boosts its weight capacity, making it ideal for larger groups, including big families or team outings. If you intend to host a large number of friends, a tritoon’s extra lift will help the boat perform better.
5. Planned Activities
Ultimately, choosing pontoon vs tritoon rentals is all about what you want to do with your boat.
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Watersports
If you’re looking for adventure, especially high-adrenaline activities like pulling on a couple of adults on skis or wakeboards, a tritoon is probably a better option. However, for relaxed tubing runs with kids or casual cruising from cove to cove, pontoons are perfectly adequate.
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Groups
If you’re entertaining a big group and don’t want to sacrifice speed, or you’re looking for added performance and stability, consider a tritoon versus a pontoon rental. However, if all you’re looking for is a relaxed day swimming out in calm waters, a pontoon will work just fine.
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Towing
Let’s say you’ve rented both a boat and a jet ski and you’re looking to conserve fuel by towing the jet ski part of the way. A tritoon is a good option here. The extra muscle will let it pull your jet ski, WaveRunner, or large tube more easily than a pontoon.
Pontoon or Tritoon: Which Is Better on Cherokee Lake?
A big consideration in pontoon versus tritoon rentals is where you’re doing the actual boating.
Shoreline cruising in the open ocean, white water rafting, or even Chesapeake Bay is a far cry from Cherokee Lake. With the former, you can expect lots of chop and current, all of which need a more powerful engine and a stable boat to negotiate.
Most of Cherokee Lake, on the other hand, behaves like a deep reservoir with minimal horizontal current. Certain spots on the lake are exceptions to this, including:
- Major river inflows, like the Holston River
- Tributary creeks, including Mossy Creek and Craney Creek
- Close to Cherokee Dam, where the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) manages discharges and flows into the lake
If you’re boating near any of these locations, particularly in the afternoon when you can encounter a bit more chop, consider renting a tritoon.
Pontoon vs Tritoon Rentals at a Glance
| Feature | Pontoons | Tritoons |
| Tubes | Two | Three |
| Horsepower | 75-120 HP | 150 HP and over |
| Price | Lower prices (starting at $175/ four hours) | Higher prices (starting at $325/ four hours) |
| Ideal Water Conditions | Calm water with weak or minimal currents | Can handle chop and water currents more easily |
| Groups | Ideal for smaller groups of people or larger groups (8-12 people) in calm conditions | Can support larger groups without sacrificing stability or performance |
| Watersports | Ideal for relaxed tubing runs with kids | More suited for adults on skis, wakeboards, or tubes |
Choose From a Variety of Fully-Equipped Boats and Watercraft at Roscoe & Hooch
Can’t choose between pontoon versus tritoon rentals with all their differences? Give us a call; we’ll be happy to help you decide.
At Roscoe & Hooch, we have the newest and most beautiful fleet of rental boats for groups and individuals on Cherokee Lake. Make the most of your time on the water with boat rentals, conveniently based out of Black Oak Marina on the main channel of Cherokee Lake.
Cruise In Comfort and Safety With Roscoe & Hooch
When you rent with us, you’re guaranteed total comfort and safety with high-quality rental options.
All our boats are Coast Guard certified for safety. They also come fully equipped with a range of amenities, including Bimini shade coverings, Bluetooth-enabled premium sound systems, radios, first-aid kits, and complimentary life vests.
You’re not just limited to pontoon vs pontoon rentals either. Choose from a range of watercraft, including jet skis, WaveRunners, kayaks, tubes, stand-up paddleboards, and more. Book online by 9 AM for a same-day rental!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much better is a tritoon than a pontoon?
The main difference between a pontoon and tritoon is that the latter has a third tube, offering greater speed, stability, and performance over choppy water and for larger groups. Which boat you select depends entirely on the activities you have planned for the day.
2. How much do pontoon vs tritoon rentals cost?
At Roscoe & Hooch, our pontoon rentals start at $175 for four hours for fishing pontoons. Our 115 HP pontoons start at $200, and our 150 HP tritoons start at $325. Visit our rentals page to view pricing for all our watercraft.
3. Do you allow pets on your boats?
Yes, we allow dogs (non-shedding breeds) that weigh less than 20 pounds on our boats. If your dog sheds while on board, we will charge a $50 cleaning fee. Service dogs are allowed as well, provided you’re able to present proof of service or identification.
4. Do I need a boating license to operate a boat at Roscoe & Hooch?
No, you don’t need a boating license to operate a boat from Roscoe & Hooch. You do need to be at least 18 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, watch an instructional video, and sign off to say you’ve understood the instructions.
