Pontoon Tube questions

[carrie777]

Ok. Is a tube like a tire? IE- you have to put air in it?
Where can you get replacement tubes?

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

No you do not put air in them, You can find replacements from the manufacturer or keep your eyes open on craigslist and ebay.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

no do not put air in it, some tubes have air fittings on them for some reason, I really don't know why.

There is a wives tale out there that if you put air in a tube it will have more flotation but that is completely false.

The only way to increase bouyancy is to increase the size of the tube or reduce the weight of the boat.

you can get replacement tubes but they are kind of specific to your boat so it is best to stay with whoever made your boat and take a deep breath before you price them, they are expensive, a 25' tube can be close to $1000.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

Uh-oh carrie. Why are we asking about new toons? Please tell me that wasn't the welder's recommendation.:facepalm:

 

[carrie777]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

Uh-oh carrie. Why are we asking about new toons? Please tell me that wasn't the welder's recommendation.:facepalm:

No, no , no...LOL the welder did not want to do anything to them. He said there was not a lot of water in them and to leave it alone. MAYBE he just did not know how or what to do...LOL

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

Don't leave it alone. Water in the toons means a leak or leaks. You really need to address the source of water intrusion before you spend money on the rest of the boat. It that welder can't or won't work on them find one who will. It's a job that's kind of specialized, so if he isn't capable there's no shame in that, but I would press him as to why he says to leave them alone. If it is just a case of his being unwilling or unable to do the job find another welder who specializes in boat work. If it's something else, you need to know.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

I woudl bet the leak you have is pretty small, I have drain alot of water out of toons with just a 1/4'' crack in them so it doesn't take much of a hole, the problem is once you get a crack it keeps growing until it runs out of material to crack.

All it takes is a little air and some soap and water, we use Polmolive dish soap as Bennington.

Get them fixxed, it shouldn't be hard or very expensive,as coop said if your guy won't do it find one that will.

 

[carrie777]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

I woudl bet the leak you have is pretty small, I have drain alot of water out of toons with just a 1/4'' crack in them so it doesn't take much of a hole, the problem is once you get a crack it keeps growing until it runs out of material to crack.

All it takes is a little air and some soap and water, we use Polmolive dish soap as Bennington.

Get them fixxed, it shouldn't be hard or very expensive,as coop said if your guy won't do it find one that will.

How do I check it with soap and water? Please explain and I will do it tomorrow. The boat set for 2 years before I got it. And it had water in them before I put it in the water.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

5150 is the real expert on this subject, but until he chimes in:
Mix a little dish soap with water in a spray bottle. While maintaining a MAXIMUM of 5 lbs pressure in the tubes, begin spraying along all weld joints with the solution. You will be looking for bubbles where the air is exiting. The leak may be located somewhere other than a weld joint, but is not likely. DO NOT EXCEED THE 5 LBS BECAUSE THE TOONS MAY EXPLODE. See post at top of list..

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon Tube questions

Yup, that is it, all you need is some air and a spray bottle, I work for Bennington marine and that is how we check all our tubes, pretty low tech but it works well.

You can use a blower nozzle to get air in the tubes, just stick it in the bung on top of the tube and blow some air in then clamp your hand on top of the bug and have someone spray the tube, prett safe way since it is hard to over pressure like this.

It could be anywhere but I find alot of leaks at the very back of the rear brackets and the front of the front brackets, both stress points, check all the welds and inside the brackets and listen for air hissing, some leaks are too big to bubble.