Foam filled toons and water absorbtion

[AGUS]

I have an old pontoon with U-shaped logs that had water in them for a long time. I have read that the foam in these logs absorb water and increase the weight.

Is there any cure for this? I have considered cutting off the back of the logs and removing the foam while also adding a better way to drain them as needed. Even better would be to replace the logs with newer style round logs which I assume do not have foam.

Your thoughts?

Thanks
Aaron

 

[HotTommy]

Before I cut open a log, I'd have already made up my mind as to whether I'd replace the logs or junk the boat. I say that because I can imagine (I have no actual experience doing this) foam that is either hard to remove, hard to dry out, hard to replace, or divided into sections by bulkheads. If I had already decided to replace the logs, I'd see no drawback in opening one up to see if it could be salvaged. BTW, you'll need to find out how the water got in too.

 

[gm280]

WOW, I can't imagine toons filled with soaked foam. The weight would certainly take away from the ton's ability to float and hold the hull up. If this were my situation, I know I would cut the toon open and at least see what's going on. And I would certainly remove any and all foam that was water soaked. In fact, I would remove all the foam and let the empty sealed toons do their job without foam... JMHO!

 

[alldodge]

Agree with HotTommy, if your ready to replace the logs, cut the old ones open to see what you have. If closed cell foam was used the foam will not soaked, but if open cell was used it could be.

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

The proper way would be to remove the toons and open them from the top which is a flat sheet of aluminum slid in from the rear sealed and crimped.
this would require prying open the channel the top sheet is in and may require cutting some weld's.
unless a took has had a hole knocked in it most all toons leak at the top even the round toons where the m bracket is welded to the top .in your case it would be the sheet that slides in to close the top of the u .
either way you go I strongly suggest that you skin the bottom of the deck in a manner that deverts the water from hitting the cross members and the top of the toon .

 

[AGUS]

I'm looking for a cheap boat with round toons now

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Lol didn't mean to scare ya!