Panel damage

[Jbwatts76]

I am new to this site along with new to pontoon boat ownership. On my first trip out I nailed a huge wake with dented the panelling of course. I've ready about bike intertube to knock the dent out, but my issue is with the creases that were left behind.

Based on these pics any suggestions. I've been told by many it liable to happen again at Lake Lanier (GA). So I don't really want to replace the panel for it to happen again.

[curtiscapk]

Unless you want to claim it and be without it, you have your first beauty mark! Not much left to do except replace the panel.

[COTTS4x4]

I have a small drywall roller, its basically a paint roller that has a wooden roller. Its about 2" wide. Thats what I use to fix my dents. It works pretty well and I keep it handy. I'm amazed at how easy these boats dent. It's super frustrating.

[Jbwatts76]

Thanks for the comments/suggestions. I found a dent repair guy that will make it 90% for a decent price. We'll see how that works.

And yes... Extremely frustrating how easy these dent. I'm going to get a roller too. No point in paying for a new panel when it will probably happen again next weekend.

[RobZ71LM7]

Looks like you're going that route, but paintless dent repair is the way to go-one of those guys should be able to get it out with no signs it was ever there. Don't try to mess with it yourself.

[zoom650]

I'll probably tell you something you already learned. On Lake Lanier, the large boats, and Lanier has some pretty big swinging dicks out there, lots of times ignore no wake zones under bridges and near boat ramps.

One boat's wake nailed my newly Sharkhided toons and threw the boat against the dock at a ramp. The fender sailed up in the air and the boat crashed against the dock. Rubbed the Sharkhide right off and gave the aluminum a little kiss.

If I could have gotten that boat's registration number, he would have heard from me.

Sorry for your trouble.

[kryptonite]

This happened to me at LOTO. Insurance covered it, however I didn't end up changing the panel as I was afraid the paint wouldn't match.

Why don't the manufactures make the front double walled with hard foam in the middle?? Maybe then they wouldn't dent like this. This is a common problem on big lakes with pontoons.

[Strake]

Looks like you're going that route, but paintless dent repair is the way to go-one of those guys should be able to get it out with no signs it was ever there. Don't try to mess with it yourself.

This

My Great nephew has his own business doing paintless dent repair and can do amazing things with dents that look too extreme... There are franchise guys out there called Dent Wizard but many others like my nephew with his own version.

I'm just shocked that getting hit by a wake can do that so easily. We've only had our TriToon since November and there are tons of toons on Smith Mountain Lake..... perhaps it's just not a big enough lake. There are plenty of 30 and 40 foot boats there, but I've not heard of folks getting damage from a wake.