Maiden Voyage Scar

[s_riddle]

So I freely admit to being a bit too anxious to get my 2007 Bennington 2075 GS out on the lake. We had 25 mph sustained winds and the cross winds when putting the boat on the trailer were stout. I wasn't too concerned since I have solid guides, but I didn't anticipate the port side toon missing the guide to the inside and making pretty heavy contact with the angle iron which the carpeted wood is screwed to.

I took a pretty good hunk of aluminum taken out of the welded strip which protects/ protected the actual toon. Other than the chunk and some rash, I know it didn't penetrate the actual pontoon. At least it doesn't appear to the eye to have. My concern is future integrity. Should I fill in the area with some Marine JB Weld and chalk it up to a learning experience or be more concerned.

I am sick about it and being that this is my first pontoon I am questioning my trailer loading technique. Surely it will be easier without the wind and I won't repeat. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

Got Pics?

 

[s_riddle]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

Got Pics?

Man I wish I had taken some. Boat is stored at the lake an hour away, but I will grab some next time if this thread is still active.

 

[Dave-R]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

I took our 2007 Bennington 2075 SFI to lake Powell two weeks ago. We also had a very strong side wind. There were two large docks, and we tied up down wind of one while my Son inlaw went for the truck. On the other dock A new bayliner was getting beat to death because he had tied on up wind and the waves were bashing his boat against the dock. I went over And tried to help them. The husband was determined to try to load from that side until he could see it was impossible . I had him come over to the other side and let the wind help us. My daughter and I took a rope from the front and back of his boat and let the wind pull it 10' from the dock, and walked it right on his trailer. We did the same thing with our pontoon boat. I like the saying, you can learn more about your boat in one hour of bad weather, than a month of good weather. You will be better prepared next time. Dave-R

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

^ HOW TRUE Dave-R. I like the saying, you can learn more about your boat in one hour of bad weather, than a month of good weather. You will be better prepared next time.

 

[crb478]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

Instead of trying to JB weld it up take it to a good aluminum welder and have him cover it with a few beads to build the gouge back up, and then grind it smooth. It is probably not structural, but welding it up will give you 100% of the strength back. It may be noticeable because you know it happened, but most people will never notice it.

 

[s_riddle]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar



Here is a pic of the damage to the toon. Hopefully this shows up.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

Heck, that's just a love tap. No need to beat yourself up. Take it to an aluminum welder and ask them to fix it up for you. Welcome aboard.

 

[Malibu Rudder]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

No worries. I would just leave it alone. Unfortunately, you may gain more personality to your boat as the boating days increase. This is one "love tap" that is forgettable. Enjoy your boat and have safe fun.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

Personally...

I would take a pair of pliers and remove the curls. Only reason for that is if someone is swimming near it there will be no collateral damage to humans.

Nothing to worry about as far as structure there. That is why they have those "runners" on there.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

^+1 and run a file over any rough edges. Then go boating.

 

[crb478]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

It really doesn't look that bad. Smooth it with a file and then keep an eye on it. If you need to go to a welder later have them address it then.

 

[s_riddle]

Re: Maiden Voyage Scar

Thanks all. I will file her down and chalk it up to experience! Great forum, I am excited about hanging around for awhile.