Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

[bnnipp]

I recently purchased a 2007 Regency 22 Party Barge. The barge is listing to the starboard side about 6-8 inches. This is my first pontoon and i'm not sure where to start looking. Any ideas?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

right off I would say water in the toon.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

Welcome to iboats.

If it came with a trailer pull the boat, have someone start driving(5'-6') then stop suddenly then put your ear on the tube, if there is water you will hear it slosh.

If it does have water you will need to find a welder and have the tube drained and repaired.

Correct method is to tip the boat slightly back on the trailer and drill at the rear of each chamber to drain, if you get a little air in while it is draining it goes alot faster, then get 3-4psi in each tube section, one at a time, and strt sprayong with soapy water, mark and repair all leaks.

The leak could be anyhwere, I normally find them at the back of the rear brackets, but as I said it could be anywhere.

 

[luckyjr]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

Welcome to iboats.

If it came with a trailer pull the boat, have someone start driving(5'-6') then stop suddenly then put your ear on the tube, if there is water you will hear it slosh.

If it does have water you will need to find a welder and have the tube drained and repaired.

Correct method is to tip the boat slightly back on the trailer and drill at the rear of each chamber to drain, if you get a little air in while it is draining it goes alot faster, then get 3-4psi in each tube section, one at a time, and strt sprayong with soapy water, mark and repair all leaks.

The leak could be anyhwere, I normally find them at the back of the rear brackets, but as I said it could be anywhere.

Don;t you put air in most likely section and then do the soapy test? If found, you may also use a aluminum rivet to plug the hole.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

Suntrackers like to leak. Don't ask me how I know. Go ahead and take her to a good aluminum welder. He or she will pressure test the toons and repair any leaks, after which you should be good to go for a long time. It's not as expensive as it sounds. Just make sure you find a good aluminum guy, otherwise your small problem could be compounded. Your local marine dealer(s) should be able to recommend a reputable shop. Welcome aboard.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

Yes you air check it but if it has water and you get a little air in it it pushes the water out faster and most likely your leak is a crack so a rivet wouldn't do you any good, normally it is at the very back of the back bracket or the very front of the front bracket, these are stress points and prone to cracking.

 

[luckyjr]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

Yes you air check it but if it has water and you get a little air in it it pushes the water out faster and most likely your leak is a crack so a rivet wouldn't do you any good, normally it is at the very back of the back bracket or the very front of the front bracket, these are stress points and prone to cracking.

Good info, cracks
I can see that happening because the toon wall is thinner than the risers and the stress in those areas is significant. The way I understand it, my Crest has 1/8" toon walls but most manu go with .093 and only use 1/8 in the rear toons.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

You know, actually, before I did anything I think I'd contact Suntracker and see if there's any kind of warranty to be honored. There may not be since you're not the original owner, but it never hurts to ask. Might save you a couple of C notes.

 

[bnnipp]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like checking the toon for a leak is the best place to start.

 

[Dragboatdad]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

I have a party cruiser 32, it lists just slightly to port. I will do as mentioned above, however I wonder if the boat is not balanced perfectly because of the cabin and all the stuff on board.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

Has it always had the list or it just showed up?

We build boats with the gas tank on one side and the extra weight makes the boat list slightly and everyone thinks they have a tube leaking, I woudl mark the tube and see if it gets worse.

No sense in drilling a tube if there is no wate in it unless you mean the trailer test, that si the easiest quickest way to tell if there is water in a tube.

 

[Dragboatdad]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

I will do the trailer test. I just bought it, it was in a covered marina in the water all of it's 2 year life. It's really clean but anything is possible. A quick examination didn't reveal any obvious issues. I will look for cracks too
I just want to say, everyone is very nice and helpful on this site. It's not so on some of the forums I visit.
Thanks, Dragboatdad

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

I would mark the toon and just watch it for awhile. I very well may be weight I dont think any of them sit exacly square in the water. I would sure do that befor pulling it off the water. Take a pencel and make a mark on the toon.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

I would mark the toon and just watch it for awhile. I very well may be weight I dont think any of them sit exacly square in the water. I would sure do that befor pulling it off the water. Take a pencel and make a mark on the toon.

Ordinarily I'd agree, but since he just bought her I think it makes sense to go ahead pull her for a close inspection. There are all sorts of goodies that are invisible when a boat is in a slip.

 

[copwad]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

Mine was doing it. Brought to welding shop and had it pressure tested. 80 plus gallons in two toons. Pressure testing best way to find leak.

 

[Water logged]

Re: Pontoon boat listing to the Starboard side

That Regency will have a center mounted gas tank in front of the OB, should not cause list.

Glenn