HELP! pin hole in pontoon

[acad]

What's the absolute best way to find and permanently fix any leaks in my pontoons? I have the boat trailered right now, but it's the first time in four years. (Small lake with no real ramp.) The boat is always in the water, so the integrity of the pontoons is vital. Is this a DIY thing, or do I have to take it to somebody?

 

[EricJRW]

Re: HELP! pin hole in pontoon

I'll see if I can find the thread, but it implied one way to fix holes was with an aluminum rivet and some glue...

I'll see if I can find that thread.

Finding holes seemed to be to put very low pressure in the logs and use soapy water (like finding a leak in a tire). This info may be in the same thread I'm looking for.

Bit of info on leak test: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=267327

And I can't find that post with the rivet technique. It had a picture or two showing the rivet, maybe that's why searching is not working... But is also mentioned a glue, two letters and number as I recall. Maybe it will ring a bell with someone else.

[edit] Found the rivet thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=138560&highlight=rivet+pontoon (it's not in the pontoon forum, so I was not finding it via a narrow search)

 

[lncoop]

Re: HELP! pin hole in pontoon

Best bet is to take it to a good aluminum welder. He or she will pressure test the toons and fix any leaks. The cost depends on the number and severity of the leaks of course, but it shouldn't cost you that much.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: HELP! pin hole in pontoon

+1 for Incoop. The correct way is to have it welded. And pressure tests should be performed because if you found one leak, there may be others that you did not find.

 

[weltiro]

Re: HELP! pin hole in pontoon

I have the same problem. My boat is at the welder shop. Best to let a welder seal it up.

 

[Borchik]

Re: HELP! pin hole in pontoon

Any good welder usually makes an easy job of it, much less costly than most people would expect.

 

[5150abf]

Re: HELP! pin hole in pontoon

welding is of coarse the best option, make sure the guy pulls the plugs first, as you heat the tube the air in the tube expands and you can't weld it.

If you don't have a welder locally I would consider some JB Weld, scuff ti up good and put it on kinda thin, I used it on a big crack in a lower unit once and it never leaked water in 3 years.