Is this boat low in the water?

[gunner1]

I'm toying with the idea of buying a pontoon boat and found a 1990 Forester 20' pontoon boat. Here is a pic:

http://www.tridentmarina.com/site_p...-5.html?listing_page=listing_sum_index_1.html



IS it just me, or does this boat sit low in the water on it's pontoons, as if the tubes are partially filled with water? Or does it look "normal?"

 

[mavmike72]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

Kinda looks low to me.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

What size tubes are they? I had an '88 20 ft. with 21" pontoons and they were less than 1/2 submerged at the very back. My current toon has 26ers and rides even higher. Possibly you have water in the pontoons, or possibly undersize ones.

 

[gunner1]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

What size tubes are they? I had an '88 20 ft. with 21" pontoons and they were less than 1/2 submerged at the very back. My current toon has 26ers and rides even higher. Possibly you have water in the pontoons, or possibly undersize ones.

I really have no idea. It's currently for sale at a marina. It just looks like it sits lower in the water than it should.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

That does sit very low.

Get it on a trailer and pull the plugs.

I bet there is a LOT of water in each tube.

Use the water as a tool to negotiate a price allowance.

If you do buy the boat then pressure test the logs (VERY CAREFULLY).

Rig a VERY LOW PRESSURE air line to the tube once drained but put NO MORE THAN THREE (3) PSI in the tube while you spray all seams/welds/cracks with soap looking for bubbles. An inch of Dawn in a spray bottle of water works fine.

Mark any 'bubbles' and call in a reputable alum welder to repair. Retest when he is finisher just to be sure.

If you are not certain of your air supply/regulator, then take it into a reputable shop. Even 5PSI can be enough to totally split open a weakened toon.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

Looks like it has the smaller logs (possibly even 19") and they may have some water in them (although it looks to be sitting fairly even). I had a 1990 20' Sweetwater that squatted like that with 19" logs and a 70 HP on it. But like was said, it would be a good idea to pull it and check for water. Also, it may just be the angle of the camera, but it looks like there may be some sag in the transom area. Might check that out too. I think with the very basic package that boat has and being 20 years old, they're asking about a grand more than I'd be willing to pay..

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

Looks like its sitting real low in the rear to me. The other pics show the front of the toons sitting a bit high, and if you look at the motor it looks like the water is clear up to the engine cover...

 

[5150abf]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

I think you are okay, it is setting level, if it had water in a tube it would be crokked.

If it is at a marina have them put it on a trailer, get it moving and stop suddenly, you can hear water slosh if there is any.

Those do look like smaller tunes and with a couch, gas and a motor all in the back I think it lookes about right.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

I agree with 5150. It is very unlikely for both toons to have equal water leaks.

But it is sitting low and thus you will have give careful consideration to load distribution.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

Sure looks very low to me.My 18ft 22" or 24" tubes.with a 50 with 12 gallons of gas a battery and
oil reservoir all on rear deck ,also wrap around couch, is submerged about 1/2 way.Your tubes may be undersized or have water intrusion.

 

[boatmor]

Re: Is this boat low in the water?

The best thing you can do is forget that boat-no sense in buying trouble