Care & feeding of pontoon boat

[Graywolf]

I went fishing with a friend a couple of times this summer on his pontoon boat w/75 horse Merc.. Both times we went out the motor stopped running and we had to be towed . To make a long story short, the secound tome we were towed his wife came over to my house withe the title to the boat and trailer. Kind of a mixed blessing. Anyway I accepted the boat. Not knowing anything about boats I asked around. I was told to use carb cleaner and it seemed to work. My question is:<br /> The boat is a 24 foot Harris 1969 and seems to be in pretty good shape. The deck has 3/4 treated plywood (only a couple of corners need worked on). How do I get the river crud off the pontoons? Wire brush? How/or should I check the pontoons (logs). Anything else?????<br /><br />Thanks

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

Go Here: Overton's and type in "Toon Brite". It really works well! Or if you are near a A/c Parts house, ask them if they will sell you some "Alumibrite" Coil cleaner. Also does the same thing.

 

[CODE-1]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

Hi Graywolf, I have a 20' Fiesta Fisherman pontoon I keep in the river here and I pull her out and use a pressure washer whenever the need arises. Works great. Good luck.<br />Ron

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

And after getting it cleaned up, put some sno bowl, toliet bowl cleaner on the toons.

 

[Graywolf]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

Allright thanks guys, i will see what works.

 

[azboatman]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

you got a good boat there in the harris/kayot. if it's as old as you say, yes, you should check the pontoons for leaks. if you find water in the 'toons, drain them. note; they are sectional, there is more than one drain per pontoon. they are on top and its a bummer to drain them.if you find water you can use soapy water and a little, very little-5psi-max air pressure to find the leak. check very carefully the welds on top where the cross members (z-rails) attach to the pontoons

 

[severino]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

Hey Graywolf, I am in the process of purchasing a harris flote boat, proably close to the same year(early 70's). The boat is equipped with a 50 hp Johnson. I have owned power boats but never a "toon". Wondered if you have had your boat in the water.

 

[DJ]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

Graywolf,<br /><br />It sounds like you have the toon part figured out.<br /><br />Now, go to work on the engine.<br /><br />DO NOT use carb. cleaner in a 2-stroke engine like your Merc. 75. It washes down the bearings and the cylinders and will turn your Merc. into a boat anchor.<br /><br />Your engine probably needs the minimum.<br /><br />1. Impeller (water pump) service.<br /><br />2. Lower unit fluid change.<br /><br />3. Carburetor rebuild.<br /><br />4. New spark plugs.<br /><br />You can do all of this yourself. I's not that complicated.<br /><br />I would suggest you purchase a manual. About $30.00. They are available here on iboats.<br /><br />We'll be here to help.

 

[Trent]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

Djohns...... Wondering (your point of view) Why not to use carb cleaner? I might be reading wrong??? We use decarb cleaners and several additives in fuel. <br /><br />How are you saying not to use carb cleaner? Direct injection into the carb as the engine is running????????? Carb cleaner is good in cleaning a carb when you are doing an overhaul of the carb...Just trying to see what your saying???

 

[DJ]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

Trent,<br /><br />I have no problems with most fuel additives. Nor, do I have a problem using carb. cleaner to clean carb. parts-off of the engine.<br /><br />All carb. cleaners, I'm familiar with, contain no lubricants. They are made to super clean things. They do just that inside a 2-stroke. They wash down the bearings and the cylinder walls.<br /><br />About the only thing I will use it for on a 4-stroke is to clean the choke linkage on a carbureted engine. I try not to spray alot of it down the throat of the carb.

 

[Graywolf]

Re: Care & feeding of pontoon boat

Thanks a lot guys, I am getting ready to have the motor gone through, a friend of mine works on motors part time. I have asked around and everyone says he is great. <br />Severino the title says it is a 1969 and yes I have had it in the water and it helped to produce some nice fish for us (I'm in heaven ). I have found a manuel and it helps. As soon as I figure out how to post a pitchure, I will do so. The boat shop says the motor is a 1985 according to the Ser.#. Any ways my friend says he doesn't think there is much wrong with the motor , which is my main concern. After that is up and running I am going to start working on the deck and stuff. Not much wrong with that but boy does she need a good cleaning.