Hole in 1999 Bennington Pontoon

[TD_Maker]

So I am driving my pontoon boat back to the storage area where I keep her. I was following a lawn service trailer...when all of a sudden a 3ft metal pipe falls off the trailer and starts flipping along the road. I swerved my new 2013 F150 truck to avoid the pipe; unfortunately, I ran over the pipe with my trailer. Apparently the pipe flipped and punctured a 2" hole in one of my pontoons. It is a perfect puncture hole....kind of like opening a beer can. In fact, the metal tab is still connected (bent inside) Unfortunately, this hole is on the bottom of the pontoon....completely submerged when in the water.

What are my chances of getting a watertight welding repair? Do I try to get it patched or try to use the tab inside the hole? This sucks? Who plans for this kind of problem?

 

[jweckley]

Re: Hole in 1999 Bennington Pontoon

Im sorry. That is terrible. from experience the lawn service is responsible for the damage if the pipe came off of their truck. I would try to track them down. Just my 2 cents.But yest a GOOD aluminum welder should be able to make a water tight seal on the damaged log.

 

[crb478]

Re: Hole in 1999 Bennington Pontoon

It can be welded and if the tab can be pulled back into place with a close fit it can be used. Get a good aluminum welder to look at it. Being an overhead weld it will be a little tougher but no problem for the right welder. Also make sure that they look for any stress cracks that may need to be dealt with. A small hole can be drilled at the ends of any cracks to stop them from splitting more and then welded up but if no one looks for them and its just welded up it can be water proof one day and then cracked open after towing or rough waters.

In NC the lawn service trailer would be responsible for securing their load and responsible for the damage, its probably the same in your state so you might try to find them.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Hole in 1999 Bennington Pontoon

It can be welded and if the tab can be pulled back into place with a close fit it can be used. Get a good aluminum welder to look at it. Being an overhead weld it will be a little tougher but no problem for the right welder. Also make sure that they look for any stress cracks that may need to be dealt with. A small hole can be drilled at the ends of any cracks to stop them from splitting more and then welded up but if no one looks for them and its just welded up it can be water proof one day and then cracked open after towing or rough waters.

In NC the lawn service trailer would be responsible for securing their load and responsible for the damage, its probably the same in your state so you might try to find them.

Great reply...

Laws are same here it TN as well. IF the items comes off of a truck or trailer, Owner is responsible for damage. IF it is picked up off road and thrown, Different story. That can go either way depending on if the vehicle has proper flaps and is open to interpretation at that point.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Hole in 1999 Bennington Pontoon

I found myself with the need of some welding below the water line too. Over here on Florida's west coast (Crystal River area), there are several small shops that offer their services on Craigslist. These "services" include custom alum. work, up to/including complete air/flats boats! I called a couple and found them very easy to talk with and ended up spending a VERY reasonable amount for my repair! They offered to do it while I waited, but being 10 minutes from there I dropped it overnight....

If you can't find anyone over there, shoot me a PM, and I'll be happy to forward the contact info for the outfit I used (near Hernando, just south of Ocala).