I have pontoon boat that has been used extensively in saltwater. It was setting on a trailer with long V-shaped bunk boards covered in carpet. Well, here is what happened. The carpet has held the saltwater and now the pontoons are covered with tiny pin holes. Short of resurfacing the bottom of the pontoons, Does any body have any idea as to maybe some type of patch material? We are talking several dozen holes and strewn thruout the length of the logs. I maybe thought about Line-X but know for sure that Rhino Liner will not stick permanently.....ideas.....????

Mike does them pontoons have anyway to drain or plugs in them ?

They have both a plug in the bottom rear of the log and also has a 1/2" plug in the top of the log.

how thin is the metal where the pin holes are ?

I think the metal is .125 and the holes are located where the logs were setting on the carpeted bunks.

Try www.marinetex.com they have some stuff that should work. Gluvit with a layer of cloth???, epoxy is not uv stable so you need to paint over it. Welding is the best. good luck

If it was me, I would sand the areas, mix some putty and smear it in to the pin holes, let it cure , sand , then brush gluvit over it then place a layer of glass cloth. Don't forget to paint.

I would think covering them in 1/4" of Rhino Liner and having them filled with expanding foam would make them last forever... But it would add some weight to it

I'm leaning more to the Rhino liner because of the amount of holes and they are strewn from stem to stearn. Putting foam in the logs has some real contravirsity. Some say it will begin corroding the logs from the inside because no air can circulate. Some say if a hole appears, you will have water saturated foam and a next to impossible task to repair. Some swear by it because the boat will not sink in an accident. And some say that it is next to impossible to puncture both logs at one time. If one log gets damaged the boat will list to one side and the other log will keep afloat...
I'm not sold on the marine tex stuff because I'm not sure exactly how much flexing it can take or even to that matter, how much flexing the log is doing while underway. I'm totally unfamuliar with Glove-it. Will do more research on both products//.........thanks

Mike let us know what you come up with I am interested in the final fix .

I understand your concerns with the foam but I was thinking of the foam for mostly a strength aspect of the chamber if the aluminum has been eatin away then how strong will it be with rubber coating? The first time you beach it or bump a stump what will happen if it is in a particularly thin area???

What is supprizing is that the metal is 100% there. Except for a pin hole here and there. You would never believe by just looking at it that there is any kind of hole anywhere. This is until you put water inside the log. Then it looks like a soaker hose.........

Mike it aint cheap but Aircraft sealant like 890 pro seal is what I would use. It is what the jets use to hold fuel in the wings and I have removed it that has been in a wing for over 25 years and it's still good. You can get it in cans which is best for what you have, the premix tubes are a waste unless you have a lot of experiance using them because once you mix the tube you have to use it all. With the cans you can mix small amounts and use it over a long period.

www.Aircraftspruce.com has the Pro seal 890 Quart can for 151.95 part # 09-38565

There is a chance that the aluminum may be pitting from the inside also. If you have a leak or if water got into the toon from the pin holes you now see who knows. My pontoons would leak and take on a cup or two at times. Any foam on the inside that can hold saltwater residue is not good. Good luck with it.

What length Mike. Have been seeing some pontoons setting, might get cheap.