Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Yep, pulled the toon out from the shop to do some cleanin and my boy said he heard water sloshing in the port side. Guess it was only a matter of time.
I took an 1/8" bit and drilled all three logs about 3/8" from the bottom. My plan is to use 1/4" nut zerks (since I have the tools) with sealer and then use a bolt with a nylon washer. Check it periodically to see how much water we're taking on.

A nut zerk works like a rivet. We use them in places where you can't weld a nut on the back side of metal. For a 1/4" bolt, you oversize the hole just enough to get the nut zerk in and insert the nut using the tool to compress the nut from the backside (like a rivet). Gotta use sealer for under water and sinch it down tight. Quick and easy.

Should work for now until I get my TIG wired in the shop so I can weld in some 1/2" bungs with plastic plugs later.

I have had a small leak in one nose cone for years and I use a #10 stainless screw with a rubber washer. It works great.

glad you made this post with some of the comments you made . this leads me to a question i wanted to make my own post with which is why do they use a plastic instead of galvanized plug in the toons ?

A galvanized plug will cause corrosion between the two metals. You must use Aluminum, plastic or Stainless Steel.

Yep, can't use two diff metals together in water. I always use antisieze regardless, just keeps whatever it is from locking up, especially if you plan on taking it back apart.

also thought about putting a screw in it. I did my dad's toon that way and works well also. If I didn't have the zerk kit I'd do the same. Figured I'd fancy it up a little.

In a jam I guess you could use those plastic drywall anchors too. Pop one in and put a screw in it.