Pontoon leaking or not ????

[cobweb48]

HI, I just got a 1991 Sylvan 20 ft. pontoon, I was wondering if the pontoons should have any type of water or compressed air in them, I could hear water sloshing around in the right pontoon, we took it out for the day and it floated just fine, I took the plugs out of the pontoons. The right pontoon had about a gallon of water come out and the left pontoon had air that gushed out. iam new to this, can anyone help with comments, Thanks So much.

 

[Bama Hound]

Re: Pontoon leaking or not ????

Since it is a 1991, boat is new to you. It depends on how long you had it in the water. For all you know that gallon of water is all that has been collected since 1991 Now get you some teflon tape and apply to plug and replace it. Look and see if toons have crease damage or hairline crack along weld. Look on nosecones and see if there is abrasion from beaching. Don't panic you know toon is empty now, so any other water that gets in there is fresh. The fact that air rushed out your left toon is good that was as good as a pressure test. Most likely those pontoons are 3 separate compartments each. Nosecone and two other independent sections welded together. They are inherently safe. You may be able to look on top of toons and see fittings with plugs in them then again maybe not Enjoy your new toon.

 

[cobweb48]

Re: Pontoon leaking or not ????

Since it is a 1991, boat is new to you. It depends on how long you had it in the water. For all you know that gallon of water is all that has been collected since 1991 Now get you some teflon tape and apply to plug and replace it. Look and see if toons have crease damage or hairline crack along weld. Look on nosecones and see if there is abrasion from beaching. Don't panic you know toon is empty now, so any other water that gets in there is fresh. The fact that air rushed out your left toon is good that was as good as a pressure test. Most likely those pontoons are 3 separate compartments each. Nosecone and two other independent sections welded together. They are inherently safe. You may be able to look on top of toons and see fittings with plugs in them then again maybe not Enjoy your new toon.

Thank You So Much, And we are having a great time, just nervous for a while.....will mellow out with time Iam sure...Thanks Again

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon leaking or not ????

The tubes will just normally build pressure during the day and it could be alot depending on when they were built, if it was in the winter when it was cold they will build alot more.

They will even build a vacuum which is also normal that is why alot of makers went to vented plugs, as the tubes build pressure the baffles in them will bang really loud as the air expands, it is harmless but makes quite a racket.

Your starboard(right) tube has a leak obviously and should be air checked, the port(left) sounds like it is still air tight.

A very common place for leaks is at the back of the rear bracket or the very front of the front brackets, these are stress points and a prone to crack over time but a little compressed aior and a spray bottle of soapy water will tell you where it is and 3-4psi is all you need.

 

[cobweb48]

Re: Pontoon leaking or not ????

The tubes will just normally build pressure during the day and it could be alot depending on when they were built, if it was in the winter when it was cold they will build alot more.

They will even build a vacuum which is also normal that is why alot of makers went to vented plugs, as the tubes build pressure the baffles in them will bang really loud as the air expands, it is harmless but makes quite a racket.

Your starboard(right) tube has a leak obviously and should be air checked, the port(left) sounds like it is still air tight.

A very common place for leaks is at the back of the rear bracket or the very front of the front brackets, these are stress points and a prone to crack over time but a little compressed aior and a spray bottle of soapy water will tell you where it is and 3-4psi is all you need.

Thanks i will try that right away