Are pontoons generally filled with air or are they empty?

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mrobbie76
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Are pontoons generally filled with air or are they empty?

#1 Post by mrobbie76 » Mon Jul 27, 2020 6:10 pm

I ask because one of my pontoons (2014 Xcursion) is making a large bang sound, when large waves hit the side of it, while riding in the water. It seems like air has escaped and is now hollow or something.

Thanks

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steve1313
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Re: Are pontoons generally filled with air or are they empty?

#2 Post by steve1313 » Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:47 am

If by "empty" you mean that the pontoon is a vacuum, they are not. Some manufacturers will pressure test the toons for leaks at a very low pressure (3-5 PSI). Some don't. But it's not enough pressure to add any buoyancy to the boat or add much structural support.

And yes, it's normal for them to sound hollow and empty, because essentially they are!
Steve
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TWB
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Re: Are pontoons generally filled with air or are they empty?

#3 Post by TWB » Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:36 am

Every once in a while I hear what sounds like a faint "thunk", but not often and not concerning. I was told, somewhere in this galaxy, that my model Landau (2003) has styrofoam-filled toons. Makes sense because I do ride so very smoothly - in that - I never feel like I'm bouncing across the waves, just gliding through them.

I was also led to understand that this sticker on my toon once confirmed that these toons are styrofoam-filled. Hell I don't know! :donno
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Paul & Michele
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zoom650
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Re: Are pontoons generally filled with air or are they empty?

#4 Post by zoom650 » Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:27 am

Yep, heard that once when my boat was new and I had it out in the Gulf jumping waves. Sounded like a baseball bat to a steel drum. I didn't jump any more waves after that.

:nana :nono
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riplipper
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Re: Are pontoons generally filled with air or are they empty?

#5 Post by riplipper » Sat Aug 01, 2020 3:11 am

no vacuum and no added air pressure, just ambient air in the space.
In actuality, if they could pressurize them, theoretically they would be less buoyant.
Pressurized air is heavier than ambient air. Example, scuba tanks weigh less when empty.
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Capt Sully
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Re: Are pontoons generally filled with air or are they empty?

#6 Post by Capt Sully » Sat Aug 01, 2020 3:40 pm

mrobbie76 wrote:
Mon Jul 27, 2020 6:10 pm
I ask because one of my pontoons (2014 Xcursion) is making a large bang sound, when large waves hit the side of it, while riding in the water. It seems like air has escaped and is now hollow or something.

Thanks
My Excursion pontoons are hollow, no air pressure and sometimes make a sound while cruising. It's normal..
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MattGent
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Re: Are pontoons generally filled with air or are they empty?

#7 Post by MattGent » Mon Aug 03, 2020 10:52 am

Could be a loose internal bulkhead.

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