I'm stumped...water in tunes??

[606WPD]

Ok fellas, here's the question. Took my toon out of storage yesterday. While prepping it for the water, I decided to take the rear plugs(plastic) out of the toons to replace them.

Long story short, when the seal was broken on the plugs, I had a good rush of air from both, indicating (at least to me) that the tunes are well sealed. Even so, each pontoon emitted about a gallon or two of water.

How can that be? If there is vacuum pressure in the pontoons, there can't be a leak can there?

The boat has not been in the water since last fall (October) and has been in indoor, unheated storage.

What gives?

Thank you.

 

[dls322]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

Interesting....are you the original owner? Maybe some repairs were made prior to you owning it? I would imagine that condensation would develop over time but not a gallon's worth

 

[606WPD]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

No, not original owner but I have owned it for 3 years.

I just can't figure out how there could be a leak and still have vacuum.

hmmm

KPC

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

Opps wrong post.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

Condensation.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

Just wonder how to tell if the toons like mine that don't have drain plugs have any water in them?

 

[steelespike]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

Just a thought:
When the tube was welded up it was probably pretty hot inside.That air would hold more humidity.Air in a factory
environment could hold a lot of humidity.
When it cools especially in the water spring and fall or over the winter I would think water would condense out of
the air and remain in the bottom. If the relatively warm tube was sealed and then naturally cooled there would reduced pressure in the tube. I would think that if it was heated in the sun there would be increased pressure in it.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

Well it's either condensation or a leak. If we assume that the tubes were built in a very hot shop and on a very humid day, one cubic meter of air can hold about 30 grams of water.

If the tube is 22 feet long by 24 by 24 inches, that equals about 88 cubic feet which is equal to 2.5 M3. That means that each tube could have about 75 grams of water if all the vapor should condense. One gallon of water equals 3785 grams. So, IMO a gallon of water is a lot more than what you could get from condensation. On the other hand, a gallon is not a lot.

 

[scubacuda]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

now you can hookup a air compressor up tp the drain ports and only put in 4 or 5 psi spray the toons with soap and water and you'll know if you have a leak . also good way to remove a dent but becareful to much and your in i.c.u

 

[1960 Starflite]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

I'm stumped as well. I'm in the process of adding a center toon. I knew there was water in the one I'm adding. I put 5 psi in the toon, soaped all the joints, brackets and welds, found no leaks. 24 hours later there was still 3.5 psi in the toon.

Thought, I'll address the issue later, as I needed to cut it down anyway. When I got to the lower cut on the toon, out came the water, guessing 2-3 gallons.

 

[5150abf]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

OP hasn't been back for awhile but here goes anyhow.

When the outside temp changes the air in the tube will expand and contract, as the air does this it will equalize the inside/outside pressure through the leak.

So if you opened the tube in the morning after it had sat in the cool night are it would actually have a vacuum if the pressure hadn't equalized yet so it is very possible for a tube to have some pressure negative or positive and still have a leak.

You will need 2 people, compressor an air blower and a bottle of soapy water, remove the plug and stick the air blower in the tube and have that guy blow air into the tube, a lot of it will leak out but it is almost impossible to over air the tube this way and just start spraying everything.

Once your partner has been blowing on the tube for awhile have them stop and put their finger over the drain hole and just listen, if it is a larger hole it won't bubble but you will be able to hear it.

 

[606WPD]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

Thanks 5150, I appreciate your response.

When you say a compressor and an air blower, what exactly do you mean? When you blow the air into the drain hole, do you worry about sealing it at all? Based on what I've read, I'm concerned about over-pressuring the tubes and creating a real problem.

KPC

 

[5150abf]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

What I mean is one of those blowers like you would use to blow off saw dust or something and ya, you just stick in the drain and blow air in, it does leak air our but you can't even over pressure the tube, after a couple minutes you can put your thumb over the hole and just hold in the air that is in there

 

[606WPD]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

Thanks 5150. It's been in the water for a few weeks now. Next time it comes out, I will give it a shot. If there is a leak, it either can't be much or it's exactly the same in both pontoons as the boat sits perfectly level in the water.

Thanks again.

 

[scubacuda]

Re: I'm stumped...water in tunes??

you should have a 1\4 or 1\2 fip fitting for your drain go to lowes and get the air chuck fitting , install in drain ports set the compressor for 5 lbs on the pressure going out when it reaches 5 lbs it will stop pumping air ,but it will keep 5 psi in your tanks . then spray with soap and water . check the tops of the toons well welds are a good place to start