Tube maintenance & wet slip questions

[CZSteve]

We have a '97 24' Landau pontoon that we're moving to a different marina.
I had been on a lift but will be in the water at the new marina as they do not offer rental lifts and a purchase is not an option right now.

Wet slip is an inland lake in north Texas. Joe Pool Lake in the DFW area.
We do have a trailer and pulling the boat annually for cleaning is not a big deal.
We're not overly concerned about 'shiny' show boat tubes...mainly concerned about function - keeping algae away in order to maintain performance & fuel economy.

Questions:
- Should we apply anti-fouling bottom paint? (sure to use paint for aluminum).
- The tube plugs have never been pulled, they are aluminum hex head with pipe dope sealant; wise to pull to inspect for any water? (On one hand I think it's prudent but on the other I sometimes thinks if it's not broken & don't want to run the risk of damage).
- The boat does not list to either side and seems to float fine from my limited experience.

Assuming it's wise to pull the plugs for inspection; how best given aluminum plugs w/ pipe dope?
- Carefully heat with mild torch or heat gun to loosen pipe dope?
- Careful steady torque with a half-inch drive rachet or is an impact gun better?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Tube maintenance & wet slip questions

Pesonally, I would rather pull it out of the water ocasionally and clean the tubes, rather than paint them. Once you paint them it becomes maintenance thing.

You shoulld be able to hear if there is water in tubes if you rock the boat for and aft. I woulld not pull the plugs if there is no water in the tubes. MY .02

 

[crb478]

Re: Tube maintenance & wet slip questions

My pontoon stays in the water year round since I don't have a tralier for it. In the summer I typically get under the boat with a nylon brush and scrub the bottom several times during warm weather. For me this has made as much as a 5mph top speed difference. As long as the bottom is kept wet the algae comes off pretty easily. I do intend to put it on a trailer this spring when everyone else is putting their boats in for the summer and to listen to see if there is any water in the pontoons. I will not take the drain plugs out unless I can hear water inside. I don't believe that there is water in there right now as it sits level and runs at the speed it should. I would not want to paint the tubes. I can typically scrub the bottoms in shallow water in less than 10 minutes.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Tube maintenance & wet slip questions

I also keep mine on a wet slip for about 9 mounths of the year and when the algae builts up I pull it out and run it by a car wash and its also a good time to clean the carpet.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Tube maintenance & wet slip questions

With the boat on the trailer have someone drive forward about 5' and stop suddenly, put your ear on the tube and you will be able to hear if there is any water in the tubes.

 

[CZSteve]

Re: Tube maintenance & wet slip questions

Thanks, we we're leaning towards not painting right now.

Anyone know if the 97 Landau has foamed filled tubes? And if so, foam sections that have a gap at the bottom for water to flow as opposed to an expanding sprayed in place foam that fills the entire cavity?
I believe the current Landau's use the foam sections where there's a gap at the bottom interior.

EDIT: I don't plan on pulling the plugs is not needed but do let me know how best to do this in case we do need or for later down the road. As mentioned; they are aluminum hex head with what appears to be pipe dope sealant. Careful application of heat to soften sealant? Best way to apply, torch or heat gun? Wrench, half-inch drive breaker bar or impact wrench?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[5150abf]

Re: Tube maintenance & wet slip questions

I can't say for cetain but normally the only tubes filed with foam are U tubes, normally round tubes are left hollow.

As for the plugs it is aluminum, you aren't going to hurt it at all with heat, I doubt you have anything that could get it hot enough to melt or deform, you don't even have to be especially carefull, the melting point is 1220 F, just get a wrench on and start heating and the sealant will let go well before you could hurt it, no worries.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Tube maintenance & wet slip questions

I use the redneck passengers on my boat.....I furnish the beer and brushes and they furnish the elbow grease...works every time!