Getting water out of tubes, anyone added plugs?

[chrisg]

Got my '87 pontoon out of the water today, and the wife heard sloshing when I stopped the trailer. From reading other postings, there is a plug at the top of the toons. I saw they are in a hard spot to access, and I am wondering, being 20 years old, would I even be able to get the plugs open? ( I heard that aluminum causes a chemical reaction which 'welds' the plug together over years. ) So, even if I get the plugs off, it is in an odd spot, trying to feed a tube down would be difficult. So, can I get drain plugs added to the back of the pontoons? ( what about the fronts?) Or perhaps plugs added to the top side of the toons, in a location where I can put a tube down?

Or drill holes at the top of the toons, and close them with self taping screws, and rubber gaskets. Do Toons have to be sealed?

thanks

 

[mthieme]

Re: Getting water out of tubes, anyone added plugs?

I'm not familiar with toons, but it seems to me that a welding shop could add flanges in the back bottom to accept a threaded brass pipe plug like on regular boats.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Getting water out of tubes, anyone added plugs?

Yes tubes need to be sealed and a hole in the top is worse than a hole in the bottom, you Can cut the entire bottom out of a 2 liter bottle, stick it in the water and nothing gets in... until you loosen the cap, then water comes in and the bottle sinks.

Best case, find a weld shop, drill and drain the tubes and repair the drill holes then air check the tubes and repair the leak.

The problem with plugs under the water line is you are making a hole below the waterline, if your plugs don't seal or get knocked out you take on water.

If you decide to go with plugs they do make a brass thru hull drain that would work and you could do that yourself.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Getting water out of tubes, anyone added plugs?

my monark was built with drains,

 

[chrisg]

Re: Getting water out of tubes, anyone added plugs?

Has anyone attached a "a brass thru hull drain ", from what I saw, they are screwed on from the back side. Also, even if I added a drain, I was told that the 'toons have 2 chambers. how would I get the water out of the front one?

Also, I guess having the water inside freeze must not be a big deal, as I'm sure the water has been in there for years.