water in pontoon

[pookie1135]

i have an older pontoon there is no drain in bottom of toon.whats the best way to get it out?

 

[Lawnmedic]

Re: water in pontoon

I use my oil changing pump. It is a ball with hand vac pump and a long hose designed to go down the dipstick hose on an I/O engine. Paid about 35.00 at the local boat dealer for the pump. works like a charm.

 

[steelespike]

Re: water in pontoon

You could syphon it out. A hose reaching out of the toon to a point below the bottom suck on the end till water comes out it will flow till empty.You could also rig a hose to a shop vac to suck the water out you will need to allow some aditional air to enter to cool the vac motor.You also could use the vac to start the syphon.If the access hole is big enough you could just vacume it out by skimming the water surface with the shop vac hose.

 

[ONERCBOATER]

Re: water in pontoon

i had a tremendous amount of water in one pontoon....and didn't know about the vent on the top.....i drilled 3/16" hole in front and in back end of pontoon.....as it has a separation in the middle.
for this is got 25-40gallons out of the front and like 5 out of the back.
my current repair for it is 3m 3200 covering a 3/16" rivet (took pop rivet apart slathered the lower portion with goo and reassembled then popped in hole) this is going to be sanded a bit to feather the can....then i am going to take a piece of aluminum can and rough it and the repair up, then 3200 the can to the pontoon.
ummm future repair will be aluminum brazing or tig.

I really suggest you use the lawn medic suggestion....if there is too much to empty that way, siphon it out then finish up with his method.

Sean

 

[5150abf]

Re: water in pontoon

As a welder who has repaired repairs like yours I can only say AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Once you get caulk into the hole it is next to impossible to get it back out and clean the aluminum to weld, it makes it really really hard.

Find a local welder and have it air checked and repaired with a TIG welder, if you want to save a little money drill a small hole in the back of each section and drain the water then find the leaks yourself but get it fixed right.

The pump is a good idea but it doesn't fix the leaks so unless you want to pump it every time you go out fix it right and be done with it.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: water in pontoon

What he said.... If it were me, I'd get it fixed professionally.

I did a little bit of TIG welding and aluminum brazing many years ago and the one thing that sticks out in my memory is the weld has to be really, really clean. Brazing aluminum was a real nightmare.

I've toyed with the idea of taking a welding refresher class at the local career center just 'cuz I like that stuff. Might come in handy with my pontoon.

No man can have too many tools now can he?

 

[cbavier]

Re: water in pontoon

I would take it to a welding shop and have them drill holes in the bottom back of each tube and drain all of the water out. Then have them repair the leaks and weld new threaded drain plugs on the back of each tube.