Water in pontoons?

[Jcrain]

Yesterday I was changing a low tire on the trailer of a 20 foot SunTracker BassBuggy when it slipped off the jack. I heard s "sloshing" sound, as if one of the toons had water inside. Is there anyway to get the water out? I didn't spend a lot of time looking because of a storm that blew in. Also, are the toons on Suntrackers one large chamber or do they have paetitions? What are the chances of filling them with foam?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Water in pontoons?

Foam isn't an option. If water gets in there and the foam soaks it up (which it will), you'll never get rid of it without replacing the tube.<br /><br />I don't think they're sectioned. If there isn't a drain at the bottom of the back of each toon, there should be fittings near the back on the top of the toons that have internal plumbing reaching down to the bottom. Plus antoher fitting near the front or middle to act as a vent. Look for plumbing-type fittings. Those kind need pumping or syphoning. Or you can pressurize the vent and blow it out. Just be gentle with psi. That's a lot of surface area and one psi is a lot of pounds on that much surface.<br /><br />Since you're not seeing water dripping, it's probably safe to assume that the leak isn't on the bottom. Get some Fantastik (or other soapy spray) and soak the joints. Pressurize the tanks no more than a few psi and look for bubbles. But first drop the bow as low as possible. I find most leaks that way. They take quite a beating up there.

 

[llfish]

Re: Water in pontoons?

You can fine 12 volt low pressure air pumps for air mattress on E-Bay cheep. A fast way to check for leaks below the water line is to use a 12 volt pump the next time you go out. If you do not find the leak that way then follow WillyBWright's suggestion.

 

[Jcrain]

Re: Water in pontoons?

THanks, guys. I won't get to the boat for a few days but if it has the top fittings, I'll try the air in the vent method. I'm 99.999% sure it don't have bottom drains

 

[Jcrain]

Re: Water in pontoons?

I tried the air trick. Put about 3 psithe front plug but didn't get anythout of the back, not even air. Any ideas?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Water in pontoons?

So it held pressure, yeah?<br /><br />Maybe, just maybe, someone put water in for ballast - maybe it's supposed to be there. Does the rig float level?<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Jcrain]

Re: Water in pontoons?

It sits just a tad tail heavy when not running. Cruising a a whopping speed of 10 mph (only got a 40 horse johnny on it) it stays about the same attitude. It's just hearing the sloshing sound makes me nervous.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Water in pontoons?

Round alloy toons are very strong, if you have a leak it is likely you would be able to see a pit from corrosion or a stress crack - visually inspect first, if they look o/k then pressure test again and confirm that they hold pressure. <br /><br />If both those tests don't find any leaks then I would be confident that the water is either in there for ballast (put in there on purpose) or its a build up of condensation over the years. <br />Fresh water in alloy toons won't cause a problem.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[rayjay]

Re: Water in pontoons?

I think all modern pontoons have airtight bulkheads every 4 or 5 feet. Check the Tracker site.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Water in pontoons?

Originally posted by rayjay:<br /> I think all modern pontoons have airtight bulkheads every 4 or 5 feet. Check the Tracker site.

I thought the same thing but I searched their site with no luck.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[rayjay]

Re: Water in pontoons?

Myacht houseboats do. I just checked the Sun Tracker site and they do have multiple airtight chambers.

 

[Jcrain]

Re: Water in pontoons?

you got a web address for them?

 

[rayjay]

Re: Water in pontoons?

http://www.suntrackerboats.com/about/index.cfm?fuseaction=about.quality

 

[Jcrain]

Re: Water in pontoons?

Thanks.

 

[Jcrain]

Re: Water in pontoons?

Hmmmmmmm It looks like quite a few improvements in the bassbuggy over the last 14 years. <br /> Any ideas about the two fittings on the top of each toon? the forward one is open, ie, I can put a rubber hose all the way to the bottom of the toon. The aft fitting is blocked by something about 1 inch into the hole. It appears that the above reply by WillyBWright hits the nail on the head. Just can't get squat out of the other hole. And the local SunTracker dealer just wants to sell me a new boat.

 

[flashback]

Re: Water in pontoons?

Just a thought, could it be condensation, since the tubes have open vents, humid air could enter them and condense inside the tube... I know this happens to gas tanks, compressor tanks etc...