Pontoon Pitting Help.........

[jverch1]

Just bought a used pontoon in pretty decent shape. Being new to the pontoon ownership I did not notice some pitting on the rear of the logs. The boat was left in a boat house with the back 3-4 feet submerged roughly 6 inches. (Fresh water) No leaks, just don't want it to get any worse. I also want to make it look better. All suggestions/opinions are welcome!

I want to basically seal and bottom paint the area only, because the rest of the logs are in excellent condition.

Also, is this normal for most logs or somewhat excessive? Please advise. The screw in the pic is one inch.

[jverch1]

Another Pic

[jverch1]

Another

[jverch1]

Side Shot

The pits vary is depth, some are very shallow and some are fairly deep. I think it would be Extremely difficult to use a putty to float them flush, that is why I was considering something like tuff stuff high build epoxy and then paint over. Any ideas on something similar, I have no experience using these products, I assume just sand, clean and apply.....

This damage is only on the back of the logs, approx 3 feet long and six inches up, so it would not take much to seal it up.

Also the sacrificial anodes on the motor are in rough shape, I have all new ordered. That should be a start. Also I rarely leave her in the water more than a couple days at a time. Hopefully it won't get worse until I figure out a game plan,

Thanks!

[BoatCop]

Definitely an electrolysis issue.

Something isn't grounded correctly and stray current is running through the logs. Find a marine electrician who's familiar with this to check out the system.

Also be sure there's no dis-similar metals in contact with the aluminum. That would be steel, copper, brass, bronze or anything other than aluminum.

It's also likely that, if the boat was in contact with the water (even the few inches you state) near or in a dock, that there was electrical current in or around the water. Also from a faulty ground in the dock's electrical system. I'll bet the dock or lift had 110v power to it.

[jverch1]

That is most likely right. I never saw the boat house, but the previous owner was in his late 70's, so I figure the lift was electric. From what I can tell, the lift would bring entire boat out and the very back of the logs, as I described were left in the water.

I assume this in an easy fix. It is no longer in the boat house, stays out of the water on the trailer.

I'm going to use Seahawk Tuff Stuff, and paint with Seahawk, Mission Bay Copper free paint.

I don't know of any places on the boat itself that would have a electrolysis issue...... Other than the boat house.

[badmoonrising]

I agree, severe electrolysis. Nip that in the bud now or you're gonna have multiple leaks. Epoxy/epoxy based primer and a cost of anti-fouling.