How far should pontoon sink into water

[aldennis]

Just bought a 1988 Godfrey 24 foot pontoon boat with 88 hp Evenrude. How much of the pontoons should be in water when boat is empty. Also seems to captiva at 1/2 and above throttle. Do the pontoons have foam in them. Will be pulling out this weekend to check toons.
Thanks
Al

 

[roscoe]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

Depends on the weight they are supporting, and the diameter of the toons.
But generally, less than half in the water.

Captiva ??

Not foam, air.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

If you saying the prop is getting air above 1/2 throttle most likely the engine is set too high. The toon guys do a lot of experimenting with 4 blade props, engine height and different kinds of props before they hit the right combo. The dealer should be able to head you in the right direction.

 

[5150abf]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

No, Godfrey has never put foam in thier tubes and the boat should set about half or less at the back alot less towards the front.

When you pull it this weekend have someone drive it forward a couple feet then stop hard, put your ear on the tube and listen, if there is water you will be able to hear it slosh around.

Alot of toons set low in the back, you have the gas, battery, engine and normally alot of furniture, that is alot of weight and it will make it ride low.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

Just curious as I have never owned one - do the tubes have drain plugs? I'm assuming not, but again, just curious.

 

[lncoop]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

Welcome aboard Al. At twenty years and change it's not a great leap to suspect water in the toons. It happens. Follow 5150's high tech method for checking. If you do hear the telltale sloshing find a good aluminum welder to pressure test the toons and repair the leaks. By captiva I suspect you mean cavitate, in which case you actually likely mean ventilate, which is something entirely different and is a common problem with barges. A considerable amount of turbulence builds up behind the toons, which can cause air pockets and a resulting loss of prop bite. It's also possible you have a spun hub. We can help you check for that if you're so inclined. Jon, toons do not come from the factory with drain plugs, but more than one owner has had them installed, including the genius who previously owned mine. Al, you should consider having this thread moved to Pontoons. Many of those guys never venture out into the rest of the forum, which means you could miss out on some valuable input if you leave it here. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[aldennis]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

Thanks everyone for inputs. Plan on pulling out today to check for water. Never crossed my mind to check when I purchased or put into water. INCOOP: How can I move to another forum?

Thanks
Al

 

[lncoop]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

Thanks everyone for inputs. Plan on pulling out today to check for water. Never crossed my mind to check when I purchased or put into water. INCOOP: How can I move to another forum?

Thanks
Al

You'll need to have a moderator do it. Send a PM to JB and he'll take care of it for you.

 

[cr2k]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

Some pontoons do come with drain holes, if yours has 'em they should be on the very rear at 6 o'clock (lowest point). If you suspect leaks; along with drain plugs at the bottom, have someone weld fittings for an air valve (at high point). Put in low pressure and you can check often with tire gauge. Be aware pressure will change with temperature but any pressure above 0 will mean floats are good to go.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

It would be easier and cheaper (no welder needed) to remove drain plug and install tire valve (schader valve) and a npt bushing to suit thread sizes.
But you only want to ad 2psi or so and you will likely need a pressure gauge that will read that low.
Once aired up, spray the toons with soapy water to find leaks.
Most likely where ever there is a weld and where the toons rest on the bunks.

 

[aldennis]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

Decided that rather than pulling out and checking for water, I would just assume there was. Besides there were no drains at botton of toons. Drilled a hole in top of each toon near the back. Using my trusty measuring tool (actually a branch from a nearby bush) found that each side had about 4 inches of water. How much water is that? Don't guess, I'll tell you. Using my newly purchased drill powered pump, I pumped about 11 gals from each side. That would be around 180-190 lbs of water. Using my every present air pump, I put abpout 5 lbs of preasure in each toon. No bubbles. I taped the holes and plugged them with a bolt well wrapped in nylon tape. Will check in a few weeks and see if any water comes back. Boat sets higher. Will take for a ride later this week.

Thanks to all
Al

 

[cr2k]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

If there were no holes until you drilled them and there were no leaks afterward just how heck did that pesky water get there in the first place?

Guessin there may be a fine crack somewhere near or below the waterline the opens under some sort of stress load but small enough not to be found that easy.

 

[5150abf]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

you absolutely have a leak, no way does that much water get in a tube without them, the hole probably won't be on the bottom, normally a leak is on top at one of the brackets, normally the rear of the rear.

I am the repair guy at Bennington marine and have fixxed a ton of boats, you have a leak.

 

[aldennis]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

I'm sure there is a leak. A "sealed" tube would not get water inside. If above water line and splash area, it would take a long time to get this much water. Below water line, you think I would hear or see bubbles. Wonder how much air pressure I can put in tube? Actually don't want put in too much before ready to take boat out as might blow out a pin hole. For time being, just going to watch and see if water comes back.

Thanks,
Al

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

I wouldn't go above 5psi max... Keep in mind what 5psi means, 5 pounds of pressure on every square inch. That is 720 pounds of pressure on every square foot.

 

[rbh]

Re: How far should pontoon sink into water

Welds can be pourus, definetly go with a thick solution of liquid soap to the welded seams first.