Cleaning bottom of tubes

[pugbro]

I purchased a 20ft pontoon boat that had been sitting in the water for a little over 3 years.
The tubes were absolutely ugly with stains etc from sitting in the water for so long. I have the tubes looking pretty good but have been unable to figure a way to raise the boat high enough to clean the very botton of the tubes. A friend of mine sugested renting 2 engine hoists and raising the boat by the two eyes welded to the back of the tubes/
Are these eyes strong enough to raise the boat with the engine attached (40hp Johnson)???? After the boat has been lifted off the trailer I plan to place either 4X4s or old tires under the tubes and then lower the boat back onto the trailer. Will this damage the bottom of the tubes??

Second Question: If this is a workable solution to raising the back of the boat, how do we raise the front? Would straps under the logs using the engine hoists work???
Thanks

 

[lncoop]

Re: Cleaning bottom of tubes

I also bought a barge that had been kept in the water and the toons were in deplorable shape. Sounds like you're getting yours cleaner than I got mine. After a while I said screw it. Assuming they haven't been compromised in any way those lift eyes can handle the weight of the barge. That's what the factory put them on there for.

 

[nikogto]

Re: Cleaning bottom of tubes

I would just find a nice calm spot in the water and float on some noodles and use a scotchbrite pad and clean the bottoms, mine is a tri-toon so lifting at home is not an option, that usually works for me, not to mention the speed you gain with clean toons.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Cleaning bottom of tubes

I would just find a nice calm spot in the water and float on some noodles and use a scotchbrite pad and clean the bottoms, mine is a tri-toon so lifting at home is not an option, that usually works for me, not to mention the speed you gain with clean toons.

If it's been sitting in the water for three years I doubt that will do it. If he wants them really clean he'll have to use some type of acid based product. That does sound like a heck of a lot more fun though.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Cleaning bottom of tubes

If the bottom of the toons are relatively smooth with no barnicles, I wouldn't do anything.

As 5150 often says, if you do lift by the eyes, make sure it is straight up. Don't be tempted to put a rope between two of the eyes and lift from the middle. The eyes don't take side-loads very well.