Season ending injury, or just a "flesh wound?" (PICS ADDED)

[TSip85]

It was bound to happen and I'm still sick to my stomach about it! I'm a newb to 'toons, but not boats. However, my 25' tri-toon handles NOTHING like my old 19' inboard ski boat...especially when it comes to low speed maneuvering in tight quarters. So, yesterday I took the Admiral and a few minions for a short pleasure cruise and dinner at one of the restaurants on the lake. When we got back to the marina, I slightly over shot my slip. As I was trying to jockey it back into position I began to drift towards the dock. Not wanting to bump the dock with the front of a toon, I quickly gave it some reverse thrust to stop me......or so I had planned. Instead, I slammed the throttle forward and didn't "bump" the dock, but rather slammed into it really effing hard!!!!

The eyelit on my right toon took the full force of the blow into the dock and it actually bent backwards into the toon. Immediately I hear the dreadful sound of compressed air leaking from the front of the toon. Upon inspection, it looks like there is a couple of "pinholes" in the weld of the eyelit where it bent backwards. So, my question....is this a season ending injury, or just a minor flesh wound that can be repaired at the end of summer?

What's y'alls thoughts? And please, be as gently as possible....my ego is quite bruised right now!

[smoker62]

Hey chit happens, consider it a lesson learned and move on. I have boated over 40 years and owned a dozen boats but last year was my first toon. My Merc controls are not what I am used to and its seems very hard to find neutral so it was a bit trying at first . I would have the weld redone so you can at least add pressure back to the toon and get no water infiltration. Probably can get a complete fix while your at it but at least seal the weld. Season ending, no way. Your ego was probably more injured if others were watching than the toon . The important thing is , no one was hurt.

[TSip85]

Yeah, no one was hurt. Kids got a little scare from the bump and me yelling, but that's about it. And luckily is was evening in the middle of the week, so no on-lookers! My main concern was hearing the air leaking out. I know the toons are chambered, and it's the nose cone which is the most out of water part of the toon. And on top of that, the holes are so small I could barely see them, only feel where the air was coming out. And, they are a the absolute highest point, so I figure it will be hard for much water to get in them. I guess I was just wanting reassurance that I didn't overly effect the structural integrity of the pontoon.

not the first time I bumped into something, and surely not the last. But damn....I haven't even completed the 10 hr break in period and already this.

[smoker62]

Ill bet you wont do it again though. . It wouldnt take much to have a welder run a quick tig over the spot , did you buy with a trailer ?

[ToonGuy]

Your tubes are chambered, but they have small holes in the bottom of each baffel so technacally, it's one cavity. The factory pressurizes them to 3.5PSI to help with den't prevention (no, I won't insert a smart a$$ comment here). Eventyally you will want to get it fixed I'm sure but you can probably get by for the summer. My .02...

[margaritaman]

I had a small leak on the top nose of my pontoon and never had it fixed. Water seems to not get into it unless you submerge the nose. I just unplug the drain once a year to check if there is water but have not found any. I tried putting JB weld just for safety measure.

[redbeard]

No biggie just go on with life. Life is full of bumps it's just one more lesson in life. Glad everyone was OK. One day the kids will want to drive the boat and they will run into things, just remember you did the first one and life went on so just smile and tale them its OK and that you LOVE them, no big deal they'll learn form it just as you have. Remember its just a toy to use to enjoy the time with the ones that mean the most to you.

[TSip85]

Glad to hear you all say it's no big deal. I don't know how easy it will be to spot weld the leaks because the eyelit is bent back into it. I might have to find someone that can pull that out and straighten it, then fix the weld. I'm having my lift installed today so I'm going to go reassess the damage.

When I had my Malibu, I once had somebody back the trailer too far into the water. When I ran the boat up I rammed it smack into the front post on the trailer and took a nice chunk of fiberglass off the bow. Just like this, made me want to vomit, but it was just a cosmetic blemish.

[BobG]

If it's still floating tomorrow, just put a band-aid on it and motor on!
Like I learned in extreme off-roading: "Chicks Dig Body Damage".

[sunnyside]

Having done something similar a few years ago on a new one week old 24 ft Sea Ray, I know exactly how you feel, i.e., vomiting. But the damage can be fixed and made like new again and nobody got hurt. Chalk it up to a lesson learned and keep on having fun with the boat.

[GoFastr]

Identify the spots, brush the area with a small wire brush, mix up either some JB Weld or epoxy, and coat the hole to keep moist outside air out (condensation) and splashing lake/river water. You'll probably put another ding or two into it before you're fully acclimated to "Toon" driving. Then at the end of the season and some more lessons learned go ahead and fix things proper....Juz my 2 cents.

[speedklz]

Yea, first time out on mine just this year, I couldnt find reverse quick enough and slamed the dock at about 8-10 mph and thought I was going to tear the dock out.. lol.. No damage to the boat or the dock, just to my ego where the marina was full of people looking and probably saying "look at that idiot, must be drunk"

[moregooder]

if you put anything in the holes your welder will cuss you. just put some ducked
tap on it till you hall it out and you and the welder will be happy

[Bamaman]

I hate to say it, but you should contact your insurance agent about a claim on your collision insurance. Let the adjuster tell you what to do.

While I don't know how much damage has been done, finding someone to repair toons is not easily found. Heck, we even have a hard time finding an auto body shop that can properly use the hammer and dolly--now just parts replacers.

My old 1985 Starcraft pontoon doesn't have the first dent in it in 27 years' use. I'm looking for a dent to appear any day on my new Bennington, however.

[Ray Jr.]

if you put anything in the holes your welder will cuss you. just put some ducked
tap on it till you hall it out and you and the welder will be happy

Yep, do not use epoxy or JB weld, the welder that you eventually have fix it will be PISSED and it will cost you a lot more for the job because they will have to remove (grind off) the JB or epoxy before they can fix it right