Is safe?

[hobbsb2]

I am new to pontoon boating and we just got a used boat. Had a bad storm that tore it away from dock and onto beach area. Now it is listing in the back pontoon. Is it safe to take boat on lake with water in the pontoon?

 

[drrpm]

Re: Is safe?

It seems like a bad idea. Maybe if its a real short trip to get it from the beach to a ramp so it can be pulled out and fixed and the list is minor. Otherwise no way.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Is safe?

It seems like a bad idea. Maybe if its a real short trip to get it from the beach to a ramp so it can be pulled out and fixed and the list is minor. Otherwise no way.

Agree. And only if another boat is there to rescue you in the event of catastrophic failure. If you are going to do that I would do it as soon as possible because time will only make things worse.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Is safe?

What are you figuring to do with the pontoon on the water? are you thinking about playing or are you worried about getting to the ramp to take it out for repairs?

I don't think anyone will tell you its a good idea to go out and play with a leaking pontoon, aluminum or fiberglass boat. but I think it would be a good idea to get that pontoon repaired so whats the plan here?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Is safe?

Depends...

Some pontoon have multiple watertight bulkheads welded into them. In those designs, you are perfectly safe having one section punctured, it will still ride with plenty of capacity. (been there, done that, had a pontoon pushed onto the rocks. No problem on the couple mile drive to the ramp.)

On the other hand, other pontoons do NOT have those! Look at the logs for any vertical welded seams on the outside. Without the bulkheads, you will sink, and fairly quickly.

 

[hobbsb2]

Re: Is safe?

What are you figuring to do with the pontoon on the water? are you thinking about playing or are you worried about getting to the ramp to take it out for repairs?

I don't think anyone will tell you its a good idea to go out and play with a leaking pontoon, aluminum or fiberglass boat. but I think it would be a good idea to get that pontoon repaired so whats the plan here?

The plan is to try and get it out and syphon the water as well as look at the problem to fix. I appreciate you answering my question. We have not even been able to take a ride in it. The storm hit the weekend after we got it. I will need to get someone to help me get it out.

Thanks again. I will heed everyone's warning.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Is safe?

What kind of barge is it? I'm not positive, but I think pretty much anything made in the last twenty years is baffled.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Is safe?

do you have any idea how big the problem is?

if it were me I would figure that out first, if were only talking a couple of small holes then I would make a run for the ramp, if were talking a fairly substantial tear then that's another story.

another thing to think about, is the boat sitting on the lake bed or is it floating? if its floating then it probably will not go any lower so long as you don't put another hole on the top of the pontoon so the remaining air in the pontoon is keeping anymore water from getting in. Get in it and go to the ramp.

Once your on the trailer on the ramp pull it out slowly you don't want to overload your trailer and you have no idea how much water is in the pontoon, so simply pull it out slowly and allow the water to drain then get her fixed up.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Is safe?

"safe" depends on whether the logs are compartmentalized as s-crater mentions. It's amazing how much floatation those logs are capable of. The day we re-named the Party Cruiser (must've done it wrong & ticked off the gods) we attempted to trailer it, and unbeknownst to me, the boat drifted sideways just before I signaled the wife to pull forward up the ramp. The center of the starboard log was resting directly over the stupid excuse for a guide roller, and once all the weight was on the guide, it punctured the log like a Bic pen thru a Coke can. The center section of the log QUICKLY filled with water. We had to back the boat WAY down into the water because the guide roller was stuck in the log and didn't want to come out. Even with the center of the log full of water, the outer sections still had enough flotation to hold up the boat AND half of the triple-axle trailer, AND the 3 of us who were jumping up & down on the trailer fender trying to get the trailer to drop. (Not a good day)

So yeah, your boat will probably float okay, and may be "safe". But your first order of business should be to locate the source of your water intrusion and get it fixed. Shouldn't take all that long, either. I poked our hole on Sunday, had the boat back in the water then next Thursday--