Tube Noise

[pugbro]

I pulled my boat out to get it cleaned up and ready for summer and while giving it a good bath, I heard a noise which sounded like a small air leak in one of my tires...After several minutes of crawling around under the boat, I realized the noise was coming from the plugs in top of the tubes. When I loosened the plug, the noise stopped. I know these plugs are for leak testing at the factory. The plugs in my tubes are plastic. Would it create any problems if I drilled a small hole it the center of these plugs to equalize the pressure in the tubes. Would there be a possibility over time for water to enter the tubes?

Thanks



KEEP IT FUN...KEEP IT SAFE!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Tube Noise

I bulid pontoons and we went to plugs with a really small hole in them last year.

Shouldn't hurt anything and I don't think much if any water can get in.

 

[adamjr]

Re: Tube Noise

The cause of the sound you heard was more then likely air entering or escaping. If you were washing the pontoons with water from your hose the odds are that the water was cooler then the air temperature. As you rinsed the tubes with the cool water you reduced the temperature of the air slightly inside the tubes. As air cools it decreases in volume. More then likely you head a vacuum froming within the tubes. Conversely if the water you used was warmer then the air in the tubes you caused the air to expand slightly and you heard air escaping.