pontoon is leaking, how to fix it, help.

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toms · #1 Post by **toms** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:19 am

My port side log has maybe 4 or 5 pin holes in it. loaded it crook it on the trailer last night and could see the water coming out. Looked on the web and found a few sites that say to use marine tex and something called gluvit to repair it. Has anyone used these to fix their logs? Is there a better way, like maybe a welder?

Ron Burgundy · #2 Post by **Ron Burgundy** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:20 am

Welding is the only real answer. Is your 'toon used in salt water?

toms · #3 Post by **toms** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:49 am

yes mostly salt water. would it be best to take it to a dealer?

Ron Burgundy · #4 Post by **Ron Burgundy** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:56 am

Either a dealer or a good boat mechanic that has the ability to weld patches over your pinholes.

Can you give some more details about your boats age, location, etc...? Do you have anti-fouling paint on your toons? Have you checked your dock for electrical issue, ie...stray current in the water?

toms · #5 Post by **toms** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:07 am

It's a 2005 18 foot bass buggy. I got it last year, I trailer it, it does have bottom paint and before I got it it was kept in brackish water. The log with the leaks is the one with the pump and sounder mounted on it.

BoatCop · #6 Post by **BoatCop** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:02 am

It might be best to take it to a welding shop that has experience with pontoons. Cracks or cuts can easily be surface welded, but if you have pinholes in one area, it's a good bet that there's more waiting to break through. Just laying a bead and grinding over the holes you can see is just a band-aid repair.

The shop can cut out the bad area and inspect the interior of the tube through the cut out. That way they can repair any questionable areas at the same time, rather than going back for more repairs when new holes pop through every few months. They may also be able to electronically measure the aluminum thickness to identify potentially thin areas.

#7 Post by **badmoonrising** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:23 am

Pray no one used copper antifouling paint on it, which will turn your logs into swiss cheese in a season or 2. Ask Ron about that one. If there is green corrosion anywhere on the logs, most likely copper was used. You'll need to get it blasted off, have all the holes welded and painted with aluminum safe paint ASAP.

DO NOT use: Marine Tex, JB Weld or anything else. You'll just piss off the welder who will have to remove all that stuff when it fails (and it will).

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pontoon is leaking, how to fix it, help.

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