Leak or no leak???

[TahoeToon]

Ok everyone, I have seen numerous posts on water in the toons. I have a 2005 Sun Tracker Party Barge. You can definitely hear water in the toons. I have removed all 4 red caps (2 per side) that are on the top of the pontoons. When I opened them air rushed out for like 45 seconds to a minute. I was able to siphon water out from both the rear toons. It seems to me that it is more water than just condensation. But with it holding air, do I have a leak??? How are you guys getting 3-5 psi of air into the toons? is there a fitting that can screw into the opening that connects to an air chuck? ALso, do I need to put air into the toons before I put her back in the water. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[MaPaHa]

Re: Leak or no leak???

You can rig up some fittings, a "T", a gauge and a ball valve for control from the local home store with an air fitting to pressurize the toons. Just don't go over a psi or two.

In a sealed toon there's just no way that water is from condensation. If the tube had warm moist air introduced into it the last time it was opened and you put the boat in colder water, then you could get a small amount of condensation in the tube but I doubt it would be enough to collect. The amount of water you're talking about is coming from a leak. Don't forget to check all the upper supports above the waterline because they are prone to leak and the splash will get water in the toons.

I've got a set of old toons setting behind my shop on the ground (without a deck) and they were just about dry when I put them there a few years ago. They have many gallons of water in them now and they have the plugs in each section like you've mentioned. So where did the water come from? Well... it certainly didn't come from condensation because the toons are sealed and there's no air exchange to bring new moisture in. I haven't pressure tested them but I can say for sure there are leaks on the top side that is allowing the rain to get in. With a boat on the water it would be the splash instead.

I've been in the HVAC trade for nearly 40 years and I understand Psychrometrics well... in fact I teach the subject on a regular basis, and there's no way condensation will cause that kind of water. In a vented tube... now that could be another story because it's possible to get new moisture in the tube through ventilation but I seriously doubt it would ever add up to the amount of water you're talking about.

I put a 90 degree street-ell in the fitting and adapted it to a garden hose fitting and ran the hose out for better access. Use a pump up spray rig with a good amount of soap in it for testing. Heck, even a good shop vac will produce enough pressure to find the leaks and you don't have to worry about over pressurizing the toons.

Mark

 

[dpeslinger]

Re: Leak or no leak???

Tahoe, here is the apparatus i built to pressure and test toons. elbow screws into the top hole with a quick connect 18' of hose to have room to work. a LOW PRESSURE gauge (lower than the one i have preferably) and a valve stem. cost about $15. simply put air in with a standard tire inflater. DO NOT EXCEED 6 psi. in fact as mapaha says, 2 or 3 is actually enough to locate a leak. pressure the toons and spray with soapy water. your leak will most likely be at a weld.