Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Guys, need some advice.

My duck blind is made from an old pontoon and it is on its last leg. Last year we actually had to drill a hole in one of the toons to get the water out so it was light enough to haul back. We need to limp it through one more year. What is the best way to patch / seal the pontoon? just has to float long enough to limp it out to our spot. Then we ratchet it up on posts to take weight off toons.

What advice do you guys have? Thanks.

Find a local welding shop would be the best, wouldn't take but a few minutes to weld a patch over it or weld in a bung so you can thread in a plug.

JNorris79 wrote:Guys, need some advice.

My duck blind is made from an old pontoon and it is on its last leg. Last year we actually had to drill a hole in one of the toons to get the water out so it was light enough to haul back. We need to limp it through one more year. What is the best way to patch / seal the pontoon? just has to float long enough to limp it out to our spot. Then we ratchet it up on posts to take weight off toons.

What advice do you guys have? Thanks.

If you have a tap and die set you could just (gently) tap the hole you drilled and install a plug. Then you can drain it later if you need to

Depending on how large the hole is and if the hole is out of the water: You could just put a sheet metal screw in it covered with silicone. After you get the boat out of the water, TIG weld up the hole.

Pontoon metal's too think to tap and place a bolt into.

Don't have a trailer for it. We borrow one twice a year to get it back and forth to the lake, so I can't get it to a welder. I'm going out tonight to look at it again. Couldn't I use some kind of compound to seal it? Not like it will be going over 2mph when taking it out to our spot on the lake.

What size it the hole? I have had good luck using JB-Weld on a no-air pressure fitting at home. It's under water 90% of the time for over 2 years. I would consider JB-Weld on a bolt large enough to screw into the hole. Not bad to clean up if needed. I just make sure to give it at least 24 hours before getting wet.

I can't say this is the best way, though...

YMMV

I had good results using Marine-Tex on a Jon boat and on a toon that had a tear in the bottom. Stayed in the water for 3 years without a leak. Must have been 50 "leaky" rivets on the Jon boat, never even seeped after using the product.
Good Luck !!
Sami

How about that Flex Seal stuff they advertise on TV? Not sure if it will stick to aluminum without an acid wash first. Not much will stick to oxidized aluminum.
http://flexsealproducts.com/product/flex-seal/

Where did you get this Marine-tec? I might do an acid wash first. I thought about that.

This was years ago. Walmart of all places! I don't know where now, a google search maybe would give you some results.

I see a Marine Tex on Amazon. Is that it?

Screw + silicone/rtv/etc would probably be fine.

Yep.....that's the stuff on Amazon.

So I just ordered some of this Marine-tex. I got the gray since it says on their website it is better for metal applications. My question now, would you recommend acid treating the aluminum before applying. I'm thinking yes. I can't hurt I figure.

The only thing I did was clean the area(s). Like you said, an acid wash certainly would NOT hurt. Just make sure you flush completely and apply per directions. Easy to work with...worked well for me.
Good Luck!!!
Sami