Leaky pontoon

[Jordeli]

Hi Everyone, It's been a looong time since I've visited the forum. I've been pretty busy trying to get my house built on Tenkiller Lake. I put my boat in the water and it did just fine for a while, but I had to return to Kansas and left my boat in the water for 2 weeks, when I returned, I took the boat out for a run and it seemed sluggish and heavy. I found that one of the pontoon cells has small pin hole leaks. The pontoons have separate cells and the other cells seem to be fine. I was wondering if I could fill that empty cell full of polyurethane foam, like "Great Stuff" it would expand and fill the cell making it water tight and not add any weight. My question is, am I out of my mind of has anyone done something similar? Or has anyone have another idea? Jordeli

[Bamaman]

The right way would be to drain the toon(s) of water. Then put low pressure air in the toon and go over all the seams with soapy water. Chances are that's where the leak is.

It just takes a small spot weld to seal up a hole.

[BobL]

I was wondering if I could fill that empty cell full of polyurethane foam, like "Great Stuff" it would expand and fill the cell making it water tight and not add any weight. My question is, am I out of my mind of has anyone done something similar? Or has anyone have another idea? Jordeli

If you want to try it, you will need Closed Cell foam but the problem with closed cell foam (from what I have been told) is that it will still allow water vapor to permeate into the closed cells. There it condenses and cannot come out. Again, from what I have been told, closed cell foam is still not 100% closed. Foam used in boats is not designed to be sitting in water and you already know you have a leak. That is my $0.02.

[mpilot]

If the hole is above the waterline you might could try a little JB weld on it. A friend did it to his old JC and it got him another season before he pulled it out to get a permanent fix. I second the getting it welded option though as that is the best bet long term.

[OldePharte]

I think adding foam is a very bad idea.

First, it doesn't solve the water leak issue.

Second, even using low expansive foam, one has no idea of how much to add. If you can get in the tube chamber, it will jus puddle up where it is added, and if too much is added, it could damage the tube.

As others have said, find the leak and have it repaired.

[Jordeli]

Thank you for the replies to my question, I appreciate the input. I've read a little about checking the pontoons for leaks. Where can I get a low pressure pontoon test kit. I've heard that any more than 3lbs pressure is liable to cause a rupture of the pontoon. Looking forward to cruising Lake Tenkiller. Jordeli

[Bamaman]

Many boats have plugs on the top of the toons. You could use Gorilla tape to tape a vacuum cleaner hose (that blows) to the port. Then go over the seams with soapy water.

The fix is easy. Finding the hole sometimes can be a little difficult. But you want a peace of mind that your boat's not going to partially sink. Then you'd need to drill a big hole in the hull to drain it completely. Small welds is all it takes often to fix the problem.

[Bamaman]

Many boats have plugs on the top of the toons. You could use Gorilla tape to tape a vacuum cleaner hose (that blows) to the port. Then go over the seams with soapy water.

The fix is easy. Finding the hole sometimes can be a little difficult. But you want a peace of mind that your boat's not going to partially sink. Then you'd need to drill a big hole in the hull to drain it completely. Small welds is all it takes often to fix the problem.