Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

[BRFlies]

Our 12 year old Crest pontoon Boat has been kept in an enclosed marina since new. However, due to inexperienced forklift operators and unsafe extensions, the starboard pontoon has suffered dents and HD gouges. Now the rear starboard section is leaking. Our insurance will pay for the repairs. The question is how to make the repairs. I am hesitant to use fiberglass or and filler that will not hold up in saltwater. Thanks----BRFlies

 

[jergeo]

Re: Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

It will need to be taken to a welder or if you don't have a trailer contact a welder and he will come to you.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

Welcome to iboats

If insurance is paying get it to a good welder, I am sure the marina has a welder they use.

Without pics it is hard to say exactly what to do but DO NOT use anything but weld to fix this, what ever it is won't work and when you do have it welded it will be a nightmare for the guy doing it.

The dents you really can't do anything with, you can pull them but if whoever doesn't have a good bit of experience doing it they will likely look worse when done.

I have been building and repairing pontoons for almost 25 years so I have seen and tried almost everything.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

At what point is it cost-competitive to just replace the toon?

 

[BRFlies]

Re: Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

TY Jergeo and Vice Admiral.

My professional maintenance shop has tested each section of the pontoons with air pressure and soapy water. Only one small leak was found. It will be welded.. The seal on the rear starboard pontoon section was broken and exposed as small (1/4 in) hole on top on the pontoon. This probably allowed water to enter this section. At this pont I am inclinded to repair the hole and replace the seal and let it go at that.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

You would need alot of damage to justify buying another tube, depending on size they can cost close to $2000, that is of coarse dealer price and you can get them cheaper.

Sounds like the best solution BR, less is better, don't know what pressure you used but it is best to go wiht 4-5 psi both because you aren't likely to blow up the tube and it makes it easier to find leaks.

With too much pressure big leaks won't bubble because the air is coming out too fast

 

[BRFlies]

Re: Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

You would need alot of damage to justify buying another tube, depending on size they can cost close to $2000, that is of coarse dealer price and you can get them cheaper.

Sounds like the best solution BR, less is better, don't know what pressure you used but it is best to go wiht 4-5 psi both because you aren't likely to blow up the tube and it makes it easier to find leaks.

With too much pressure big leaks won't bubble because the air is coming out too fast

TY Irish--The work is underway. I appreciate all of the input.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

Many indoor marinas are requiring pontoon boats go on a rack before they'll lift them with a forklift. The racks look like trailers minus the wheels and the tongue.

Spearing the rack with a forklift doesn't cause any damage to the aluminum boats that are rather dainty.

 

[craigmack]

Re: Repairing Aluminum Pontoons

Why isn't the marina paying to replace the tube they damaged? At the very least their insurance (not your) should be paying for the repairs.