Foam filled vs hallow pontoons.

[HURRICANEBOB]

My pontoons are hallow, when I get leaks thru cracks, I get water and that means a pump out and a welding repair. If-ing a guy fills his pontoons with foam:

a. Does that mean you can blow off crack repairs?
b. Can you do it yourself?
c. Who sells the right kinda foam to use?
d. How do ya know how much expansible foam mix to dump into each pontoon?
e. If ya put too much expansible foam in, does it swell up and break stuff, or does it just blow out thru the hole ya dumped er into.

And "yes" Onemorecast, I was sober when I wrote this.

[Fisherjoe]

Bob,

Can't answer any of your ?'s, but was warned by my dealer that in the long run, foam can cause more problems. He said that condensation will build up inside the log due to the foam/insulation, and it will eventually have to be drained. The extra weight of the condensation/water will take away from the performance of your high speed machine and cause more more gas $$$$ to be burned up. Just something to think about or research some more.

Joe

[billm_usa1]

The spray in foam is like a sponge if the "peal" is cracked or broken. I'seen many boats where water has penetrated the foam and the boat is carrying around an extra 200 pounds of water. IMHO that foam in a pontoon would likely be a death sentance for the boat. I'd much rather go the alumaweld route than take the boat to a heliarc guy if your concerned about the repair cost and time.

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/?src=g...FQSwFQodPwst-A

[onemorecast56]

My pontoons are hallow, when I get leaks thru cracks, I get water and that means a pump out and a welding repair. If-ing a guy fills his pontoons with foam:

a. Does that mean you can blow off crack repairs?
b. Can you do it yourself?
c. Who sells the right kinda foam to use?
d. How do ya know how much expansible foam mix to dump into each pontoon?
e. If ya put too much expansible foam in, does it swell up and break stuff, or does it just blow out thru the hole ya dumped er into.

And "yes" Onemorecast, I was sober when I wrote this.

Well i was wondering if you was sober or not!,,LOL Bob I agree about adding foam, it WILL absorb water and get weighted down,,,that old 80 Ranger`s foam was so soaked with water it made the boat a hell of alot heavier then it was to be. I`d fix your cracks,,,,well hell BOB your so rich,,,just go buy you a new and improved pontoon,,,,tight ass!..LOLOLOL

[HURRICANEBOB]

just go buy you a new and improved pontoon,,,,tight ass!..LOLOLOL

I'd really like a new boat, but I really want to get my wife that new car she wants, and all those new shoes she wants, and thos 2 dresses she wants....and I want to take her out to dinner a lot. So right after I take care of teh number one priority, I'll take care of me.

(Besides, If I keep her feeling guilty about the age of the boat, she lets me go fishing more often.)

PS: Tight A?!?!?!?! Is loose better

[HURRICANEBOB]

And thanks to all for teh advise on the foam in the pontoons. I think I'll just fill all the storage areas under my seats with foam where it won't get wet, and if the pontoons fill up with water, I can use the seats as life boats.