Should I scrap it or fix it?

[asdasc]

I am really torn on what to do with my pontoon boat. I inherited it from within the family, and it floats enough that I use it. I have been told that since it is such thick aluminum that I can probably get a few hundred dollars in cash for recycling it, which I could then put toward a better condition used one.

The problem is that it is REALLY heavy, and it takes on water on the left side. Even when it has been pumped, it is very heavy and rides low in the water. That makes it tough to steer and it draws more water. Where I use it, the winter water levels are very low so I really am limited where I can take it. Being really heavy also makes it more difficult to haul out of the water. On a normal pontoon boat, I would be ok just dragging it up on shore in the late fall. With this one, I don't know if structurally it can support its own weight, so I have to borrow a trailer.

What do you think? Can I get enough cash from scrapping it to buy a used platform to build from that is more solid?

 

[asdasc]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

pictures for reference...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

If you use it..... rebuild it and keep it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

i would rebuild. the deck could be holding water, adding weight. use a non skid deck surface vs carpet, while you have it a part, pressure test the toons, and fix the leaks. toons should be completely sealed.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=267327

 

[asdasc]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

Actually, I have already stripped it and put a new deck on it. I cheaped out and was going for a short term fix and used pressure treated ply, rather than marine ply.

My fear is that the cost to repair the leaking pontoons may be more money than it would cost to get a newer set of non-leaking pontoons, minus the scrap money.

Has anyone scrapped aluminim pontoons? How much did you get from the recycler? I am thinking $300-400?

 

[flycaster]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

Has anyone scrapped aluminim pontoons? How much did you get from the recycler? I am thinking $300-400?

Have you priced the recyclers payment for scrap metal lately???
It like everything has HAS TANKED.
It is going to be a loooonnng time to recover,, at least come up to where it was three months ago.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

So maybe I missed my window of opportunity.

If that is the case, the decision is easier. So, in the spirit of low cost fixes, what do you think about the idea of using JB weld or something to fix any leaks once I find them?

I *think* it is just one big open tube inside there, but you can see vertical seems every 4 feet, so maybe not. It was home built I think in the 60's. If I pull the threaded plugs on the top of the tubes in back, I can pump the water out. Can I do that while it is in the water? Or will it sink faster once I pull the plugs?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

do the pressure test and see how bad it really is. i'm planning on testing mine this winter, when i get the boat off the trailer, to work on trailer also.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

Yeah, if Aluminum pricing has dropped, it makes this worth saving. One of the other issues I have is with it so heavy, my 18hp moves it pretty slow, and so I should have a lower pitch prop. I am thinking that if I save it, I can mount my '59 18hp Evinrude also on there and run it as twins! I would need to put that motor together, but shouldn't be a problem if I get a couple key parts. I have another remote throttle and shifter set up, and the electrical harness. Hooking the steering cable together to both should be easy. I have to look if I have room on the transome for both, and would have to convert one to run on a pump as I only have one pressure tank but I have been wanting to try that anyway. That way I get the added bonus of a backup motor if ever I had an issue on the lake with one.

 

[flycaster]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

Yeah, if Aluminum pricing has dropped, it makes this worth saving. One of the other issues I have is with it so heavy, my 18hp moves it pretty slow, and so I should have a lower pitch prop. I am thinking that if I save it, I can mount my '59 18hp Evinrude also on there and run it as twins! I would need to put that motor together, but shouldn't be a problem if I get a couple key parts. I have another remote throttle and shifter set up, and the electrical harness. Hooking the steering cable together to both should be easy. I have to look if I have room on the transome for both, and would have to convert one to run on a pump as I only have one pressure tank but I have been wanting to try that anyway. That way I get the added bonus of a backup motor if ever I had an issue on the lake with one.

When you have two motors mounted on the back, don't they have one motor running clockwise and the other running counter-clockwise??
I think this has something to do with torque and pulls to one side???????
Not trying to sound like the bearer of bad news, but this how I would look at it. GOOD LUCK

 

[asdasc]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

Yeah, I know all the new ones are done that way, for the very reason you mention. I think that 'back in the day' they did it and both were running the same direction. I think that makes a much bigger difference when you are up on plane and have very little boat in the water.

I don't think I have to worry too much about that.

If anyone knows more about this, I would love to learn more about it. Maybe there is more to it than I know.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

That boat has U tubes, the coast gaurd requires that they be filled with foam for flotation so i would say the majority of your weight is waterlegged foam.

Don't know how old the boat is but that has been a requirement for quite a while.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

I am pretty sure it was home made in the late 50's or early 60's. There are plugs up high on the back of the tubes. Before trailering it from it's home in Farwell, MI down to Harsens Island I had stuck a 1/2" hose in there to drain what I could. The left pontoon held a lot more water than the right. At the time it didn't seem like there was any foam in there as I was able to swing the tubing all over the place and ended up putting some weight on the end so that it would settle on the bottom inside the pontoons.

I am pretty sure the guys who built it never talked to the Coast Gaurd about their plans, but who knows, there may be more up front. If it did have foam in it, what options are there for either removing it or drying it out?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

the prop rotation will not be a problem on that boat with doubles. it is a problem when you get into bigger motors. some of the 59's came with fuel pumps some didn't. have to see what you can find, may be cheaper to buy another pressure tank, on ebay.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Should I scrap it or fix it?

Actually, the easiest thing would be to convert them both to fuel pumps. Then I could us a common tank and not have to keep two seperate tanks on board.

I thought I saw where pressure tanks were selling for about $100, right? By the way, I already have a newer plastic tank that I could use so that sort of swayed me to think about converting one to a pump set up.

The motor mounts about 3' forward of the back of the toons, so I don't think the extra weight would be an issue. Any ideas on how to widen the transome? This is what I have now.

And yes, the water seems a bit shallow in the pictures!