Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

[jjohnson120]

Well sealing may not be the best term, but I'm wondering about putting aluminum or so other type of sheeting on the bottom to make it smooth for the when water hits it. I've seen this on the water glide system, but some have said the sheeting might actually be somewhat helpful for a cheaper price then paying $2000 for the kit. I may be able to get some aluminum cheap or free so if it would help water from hitting the i-beams and slowing the boat, I think it might be worth it.

 

[Cubbyblue22]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

If you can find it at a cheap price I say go for it. I know a lot of people increased their speeds by quite a bit just by adding sheeting on the bottom of their toon.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

That is called a wave tamer and it is a very popular option on pontoons and works really well to get rid of the surging that happens as the water hits the crossmembers of the boat.

It isn't super hard to do and just requires some sheet aluminum and rivets, the sheet has to be of a decent thickness since it takes such a pounding under the boat and you need quite a few rivets, stainless are recommended, I would go with 5 across each crossmember and if possible overlap the sheets front to back to make sure water isn't going to hook anything because it will rip it right off.

Now you won't get the extra flotation that the wateglide gives you but you shoudl get a smoohter ride and maybe a tinny bit more top speed, if you can coverthe brackets also that is even better.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

Sounds like something to look into. I think i can get aluminum cheap so it wouldn't be that pricey. Any ideas on how much speed increase? Like 10 percent or more? Thanks for the replies.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

One of the best improvements you can make. Definitely improves the ride, so you will feel you are going much faster. I saw maybe 1 MPH difference, but not being slowed down by every wave hitting the crossmembers made it seem like it was much more..

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

Besides aluminum is there anything else people have used? A buddy of mine works at a huge machine shop and from time to time they buy huge machines in crates. Well the crate usually are made of wood, but to keep them covered have aluminum or plastic sheets. Hoping I can come across something like that so maybe it will cost me nothing other than buying bolts. Let me know if there is anything else.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

How will adding sheeting to the bottom of the I-Beams effect the plywood deck, long term?
I would think that unless you cover from toon to toon, water will still wet the underside of the deck and then take much longer to dry out.
If it ever does.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

Well I know with mine there wouldn't be a way of completely closing it off. Under the toons would still be all open therefore air should have no problem getting in there to assist in drying off. I bet it gets a lot less wet under there with the sheeting.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

There are many, many pontoon boat owners that have skinned their underside, and I've never heard of anyone that was sorry they did it.

It makes the boat ride with less vibration due to waves no longer splashing on the crossmembers, and the sound level is reduced greatly. The modification also improves speed and fuel usage.

Skinning the underside is a do it yourself job--easily completed in a day. Many manufacturers are now offering this as a reasonably priced option--if you're purchasing a new boat.

 

[luckyjr]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

When your talking aluminum and other covers, galvanized sheet metal would not be as costly. It takes thicker aluminum to come up to the strength of thinner sheet metal. Resulting in the weight difference not being that much. Self tappers screws help speed up the process.

 

[ressless1]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

Two 4 foot by 10 foot, 1/16 inch aluminum sheet cost me about $225 including 8 cuts and 6 bends. The Stainless steel, coated, screws with neoprene washers were $35. By myself the job took about four hours, without getting into a hurry.

A lot of water hits the underside. Much smoother ride, especially in choppy water.
I took this video the first trip after underskinning:
http://youtu.be/3WsROZ6uwjQ

 

[luckyjr]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

Two 4 foot by 10 foot, 1/16 inch aluminum sheet cost me about $225 including 8 cuts and 6 bends. The Stainless steel, coated, screws with neoprene washers were $35. By myself the job took about four hours, without getting into a hurry.

A lot of water hits the underside. Much smoother ride, especially in choppy water.
I took this video the first trip after underskinning:
http://youtu.be/3WsROZ6uwjQ

That is a great shot . Could you tell me how you took it. I want to do the same. I took mine out today. Could not wait the cabin is about ready to be set on the new deck and wanted to see how she performed . I would like to see why I don't experience any drag by the cross members being hit by the spray. I guess it is going over the cross member down the channels.

 

[ressless1]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

I took the video with a cheap Casio Exlim, refurb camera purchased about 4 years ago for $100.
I just lay down on the deck and hung my head over, held the camera as close the the water as I dared

It was morning and the water was fairly smooth.

On the trip before underskinning I watched the water and it was hitting the undercarriage and bouncing in all directions, not nearly as smooth as this video, but I did not take the camera that trip.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

From the sounds of it it seems to be a worthwhile project. Probably something I'll attempt to do during the off-season. You mentioned having bends done, where the bends where the metal meets the toons? you have any pictures of the underside while not on the water? Thanks.

 

[ressless1]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

From the sounds of it it seems to be a worthwhile project. Probably something I'll attempt to do during the off-season. You mentioned having bends done, where the bends where the metal meets the toons? you have any pictures of the underside while not on the water? Thanks.

Yes, I do have pictures, and posted some of them on the other thread about underskinning. I may try to post some more there, so they stay in one place. Search for that thread.

 

[luckyjr]

Re: Sealing the underneath of a Pontoon

I took the video with a cheap Casio Exlim, refurb camera purchased about 4 years ago for $100.
I just lay down on the deck and hung my head over, held the camera as close the the water as I dared

It was morning and the water was fairly smooth.

On the trip before underskinning I watched the water and it was hitting the undercarriage and bouncing in all directions, not nearly as smooth as this video, but I did not take the camera that trip.

I assume you installed it 4' wide x 20' . That would be the best to see where it is hitting, then underskin that location. Great info thanks.