Increase air pressure in pontoons?
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Increase air pressure in pontoons?
I thought i heard water sloshing around in one of my toons so i let the plug out in the back and to my surprise compressed air came out. I was told that it was not compressed... well i called a dealer and he said it will be fine and dont worry about it. Does everyone agree?
Also if thats the case can i fashion something to put air in it and maybe put like 5 or 10 PSI in the toons to increase floatation? If so does anyone have any ideas for putting air in from a standard air compressor?
Also if thats the case can i fashion something to put air in it and maybe put like 5 or 10 PSI in the toons to increase floatation? If so does anyone have any ideas for putting air in from a standard air compressor?
2009 StarCraft Classic 200 RE
2007 Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke
Smyrna, TN (Near Nashville)
Usually on Percy Priest Lake.
2007 Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke
Smyrna, TN (Near Nashville)
Usually on Percy Priest Lake.
Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
i would be very careful putting air in the toons. 3 lbs is the max i've heard of. toons aren't designed to hold pressure like an air tank. also, i don't think compressing the air will increase buoyancy as you won't be increasing the volume of the log which would increase bouyancy. there are some pics floating around here of an exploded toon from too much air.
here's a thread from another site..
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=267327
here's a thread from another site..
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=267327
2003 Premier Grand Majestic 250 PTX Honda 225 OB (PTX baby!)
2002 MasterCraft X30
2007 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2005 Kawasaki SXR800
2004 Yamaha SuperJet
1989 Kawasaki 650sx
Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama
2002 MasterCraft X30
2007 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2005 Kawasaki SXR800
2004 Yamaha SuperJet
1989 Kawasaki 650sx
Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama
Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
Changes in temp could cause it to be pressurized if it is hotter when you pulled the plug than it was when it was sealed. An increase in air pressure will not increase floatation. It would actually decrease it buy a very small (not noticeable) amount since air has weight. The displacement of the water versus the weight of your boat gives you floatation.Fanatic1074 wrote:I thought i heard water sloshing around in one of my toons so i let the plug out in the back and to my surprise compressed air came out. I was told that it was not compressed... well i called a dealer and he said it will be fine and dont worry about it. Does everyone agree?
Also if thats the case can i fashion something to put air in it and maybe put like 5 or 10 PSI in the toons to increase floatation? If so does anyone have any ideas for putting air in from a standard air compressor?
Last edited by jrolin1 on Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
OK, awesome. Thats why i posted here. So i dont screw something up lol.
Ok well any ideas on how to pump back up to 3 psi?
Ok well any ideas on how to pump back up to 3 psi?
2009 StarCraft Classic 200 RE
2007 Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke
Smyrna, TN (Near Nashville)
Usually on Percy Priest Lake.
2007 Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke
Smyrna, TN (Near Nashville)
Usually on Percy Priest Lake.
Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
Fanatic1074 wrote:OK, awesome. Thats why i posted here. So i dont screw something up lol.
Ok well any ideas on how to pump back up to 3 psi?
No need to do that.
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Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
OK, then ill leave it. Thanks guys!
2009 StarCraft Classic 200 RE
2007 Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke
Smyrna, TN (Near Nashville)
Usually on Percy Priest Lake.
2007 Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke
Smyrna, TN (Near Nashville)
Usually on Percy Priest Lake.
- HandymanHerb
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Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
The only time you pump it to 3 pounds is when leak checking, and never go over 3 pounds or bad things can happen fast, so just leave it alone and since you had air coming out it means you don't have a leak.
In Memory of John 6x6 Larsen
Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
I have 3 drain plugs on the top of each log. One for each chamber. The plugs have a small ( 1/16") hole in them to vent any pressure or vacume. I would assume it is a good idea for all pontoon logs to have a vent to prevent expansion or contraction from heat and cold.
I wouldn't advise trying to pressurise a pontoon log. It could end up costing you a bundle.
I wouldn't advise trying to pressurise a pontoon log. It could end up costing you a bundle.
Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
Screw the plug in when it is cool out and you will pressurize the log when the sun comes out.
Air coming out is a good thing, I means the log is still sealed.
Air coming out is a good thing, I means the log is still sealed.
1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
As in many thinks in this life their exists the "Gray Zone" which consists of inspirational ideas that may prove out as beneficial, or impractical, or . We're now about to enter the zone.
NEW SOUTH BAY PONTOON BOATS
•3.5 PSI Air Pressurized & Chambered Pontoons
Source: http://www.yachtworld.com/willsboro/willsboro_9.html
Air pressurized chambered tube construction, strengthens inner walls of pontoons. NO LEAKS!
Source: http://www.southbaypontoon.com/default.asp?page=dare
Now as far as I'm aware of Forrest River is "maybe" the only manufacture that has an actual valve to maintain the recommended air pressure, but others may also exist.
Why would having holes in your logs be a "good thing?" please splain this feature in some detail.
Lets see I have sealed logs yours as you stated have "holes" in them. We both stupidly hit something when traversing some shallow water and create some small perforations in our pontoons. We assume we're still ok and tie our boats off on the dock not to be seen again till the following weekend. We return the following weekend to view a horror. Your boat is practically sunk because your beneficial holes allowed all the air to escape and your toons are filled with "water". My boat suffering the same damage more or less is just listing a little in it's slip. The "sealed logs" pressurized the pontoons and prevented any or very little water to enter the pontoons themselves.
I'm thinking the "sealed logs" at least as the most practical pontoon.
NEW SOUTH BAY PONTOON BOATS
•3.5 PSI Air Pressurized & Chambered Pontoons
Source: http://www.yachtworld.com/willsboro/willsboro_9.html
Air pressurized chambered tube construction, strengthens inner walls of pontoons. NO LEAKS!
Source: http://www.southbaypontoon.com/default.asp?page=dare
Now as far as I'm aware of Forrest River is "maybe" the only manufacture that has an actual valve to maintain the recommended air pressure, but others may also exist.
Richard wrote:I have 3 drain plugs on the top of each log. One for each chamber. The plugs have a small ( 1/16") hole in them to vent any pressure or vacume. I would assume it is a good idea for all pontoon logs to have a vent to prevent expansion or contraction from heat and cold.
I wouldn't advise trying to pressurize a pontoon log. It could end up costing you a bundle.
Why would having holes in your logs be a "good thing?" please splain this feature in some detail.
Lets see I have sealed logs yours as you stated have "holes" in them. We both stupidly hit something when traversing some shallow water and create some small perforations in our pontoons. We assume we're still ok and tie our boats off on the dock not to be seen again till the following weekend. We return the following weekend to view a horror. Your boat is practically sunk because your beneficial holes allowed all the air to escape and your toons are filled with "water". My boat suffering the same damage more or less is just listing a little in it's slip. The "sealed logs" pressurized the pontoons and prevented any or very little water to enter the pontoons themselves.
I'm thinking the "sealed logs" at least as the most practical pontoon.
Respect Our Recreational Resources
Leaving Only "The Footprints of Your Passing"
Boating the Muskingum River
1972 35' Crest Pontoon Houseboat
2007 90 hp. Yamaha
Leaving Only "The Footprints of Your Passing"
Boating the Muskingum River
1972 35' Crest Pontoon Houseboat
2007 90 hp. Yamaha
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Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
I am putting my 2 cents on this subject. I keep mine pressurized at 2-3 lbs all the time and check them occasionally. If I take the plug out and the air is gone I know I have a leak somewhre even if there is no water in the tubes. The leak could be coming from a weld on top and lets air out but not water in since it is not submerged. Also the logs bounce when I hit the pilings on the dock and helps it from getting dented as long as the bump is not that hard. There my
Cruising the salt waters of East Florida.
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Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
did you replace the existing plugs with schrader valves. is there an increase in pressure when the temp rises. just wondering cause when i cut the grass at the lake seems like my plastic gas cans seem to inflate when in the sun. may have something to do with agitating the gas but always thought it was a result of the sun.margaritaman wrote:I am putting my 2 cents on this subject. I keep mine pressurized at 2-3 lbs all the time and check them occasionally. If I take the plug out and the air is gone I know I have a leak somewhre even if there is no water in the tubes. The leak could be coming from a weld on top and lets air out but not water in since it is not submerged. Also the logs bounce when I hit the pilings on the dock and helps it from getting dented as long as the bump is not that hard. There my
doc
Dying ain't much of living boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
[/quote]
Why would having holes in your logs be a "good thing?" please splain this feature in some detail.
Lets see I have sealed logs yours as you stated have "holes" in them. We both stupidly hit something when traversing some shallow water and create some small perforations in our pontoons. We assume we're still ok and tie our boats off on the dock not to be seen again till the following weekend. We return the following weekend to view a horror. Your boat is practically sunk because your beneficial holes allowed all the air to escape and your toons are filled with "water". My boat suffering the same damage more or less is just listing a little in it's slip. The "sealed logs" pressurized the pontoons and prevented any or very little water to enter the pontoons themselves.
[/quote]
What you say does make some sense. However, I can imagine a sealed log sitting on the trailer in the hot sun and a weld joint bursting from the heat expansion. You may not notice the bad joint until much later when your logs, all of a sudden, have water in them. Then you have them welded and wonder how did that happen.
I think both views have merrit. Which one should we choose?
Why would having holes in your logs be a "good thing?" please splain this feature in some detail.
Lets see I have sealed logs yours as you stated have "holes" in them. We both stupidly hit something when traversing some shallow water and create some small perforations in our pontoons. We assume we're still ok and tie our boats off on the dock not to be seen again till the following weekend. We return the following weekend to view a horror. Your boat is practically sunk because your beneficial holes allowed all the air to escape and your toons are filled with "water". My boat suffering the same damage more or less is just listing a little in it's slip. The "sealed logs" pressurized the pontoons and prevented any or very little water to enter the pontoons themselves.
[/quote]
What you say does make some sense. However, I can imagine a sealed log sitting on the trailer in the hot sun and a weld joint bursting from the heat expansion. You may not notice the bad joint until much later when your logs, all of a sudden, have water in them. Then you have them welded and wonder how did that happen.
I think both views have merrit. Which one should we choose?
Last edited by Richard on Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
I have a tapered nylon plug that I remove and screw in a shrader valve from a car. I cut the rubber end to a taper so it screws into the hole. Then I pull out the shrader valve and quickly screw the nylon plug back in before too much air leaks out.dockholiday wrote: did you replace the existing plugs with schrader valves. is there an increase in pressure when the temp rises. just wondering cause when i cut the grass at the lake seems like my plastic gas cans seem to inflate when in the sun. may have something to do with agitating the gas but always thought it was a result of the sun.
doc
Heat and sun expands your gasoline and will expand your red fuel tank if you forget to open the vent valve.
Cruising the salt waters of East Florida.
Re: Increase air pressure in pontoons?
You can buy tire valves with 1/8" NPT threads on the other end. Then you just need a bushing. I was using one to pressure test the pipes I put in before I back filled them.
1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha