Fishing

Hey all,
Just bought my first pontoon off craigslist today, got home and realized there was a small leak in one of the inner tubes. The leak is small and right along the seam. So a patch probably isn't an option? This is my first pontoon so wanted to ask and make sure it gets done correctly. I know many of you are very experieced pontooners and probably have made many repairs! What method/product should I use to seal the leak? I appreciate any input or advise. Thanks!

I would use wader repair glue....some stuff call aquaseal. They sell two versions, one cures fast and you can be in business ASAP. the other stuff requires 8 hours of cure.
product description:
How it works? –

Aquaseal is applied to a hole or tear and allowed to cure over a period of hours (usually 8-12).
When applied, Aquaseal cures by reacting with humidity in the air. It doesn’t ‘dry’ the way other glues do. It changes from a thick liquid to a thick, flexible, elastic rubber.
Once cured, it’s permanent. The repair will generally last the life of the item.


Make sure you buy quick cure stuff and store with your pontoon for field trips when 'crap happen".

Portneuff outfitters in Poky sells the quick curing stuff. Other substitutes might be wader glue sold at walmart....sportman's might sell repair kit for outcast pontoons...
Match

Second Aquaseal, but I will first ask, is it an older pontoon? Used a lot? Name brand? I say this as it might be time to replace the bladder.

Try the Aquaseal first as that is the less expensive option.




Some things are better left alone, Even though, some feel they know better.
http://www.utahflydrifters.com/guides/profiles.htm

Aquaseal works really well. Another option is to put a small piece of material over the aquaseal to help reinforce the area. Especially if it is on a seam or a spot that gets worn.

I would use the aqua seal. I do have a couple of fast patches. One is called kwick seal or something like that. The other is from this company.
http://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/

This is the stuff I got for in the field fast fixes.
http://www.mcnett.com/...cious-Tape-P139.aspx

This stuff is more for an emergency fix. Aqua seal would be my choice like I said for a more permanent fix. Ron

Thanks for the help guys. I will pick up some aquaseal tomorrow and see what I can do! It is an older 10 foot sportsmans warehouse pontoon, made by outcast i believe. I dont think they make the ten foot version anymore so I hope the bladders dont need replaced...Its an older boat but appears to have been harldy used.

Nice pontoon! If the leak is small, aquaseal should get you fixed up. Good luck and I am looking forward to a report from your first fishing adventure with it.

There is really a lot of great information on the float/pontoon board.

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/.../gforum.cgi?forum=81

Not sure where you live, but I will be at the Shilo in I.F. this comming Saturday morning. I have some Urethane patch tape. Not sure however if your toon have vinyl or Urethane. I think this take works with Vinyl as well.




Some things are better left alone, Even though, some feel they know better.
http://www.utahflydrifters.com/guides/profiles.htm

Nope. That tape does not work well with vinyl. But the Sportsmans toons are made by Outcast and I think they are urethane bladders. You can find out quickly if the tape works or not.

That was what I was thinkin'.




Some things are better left alone, Even though, some feel they know better.
http://www.utahflydrifters.com/guides/profiles.htm

Aquaseal works well, patched a old bucks pontoon bladder about three years ago with it , and it is still holding air. Have no idea what material the bladder is .

Bucks probably Urethane. I had an Alpine way back




Some things are better left alone, Even though, some feel they know better.
http://www.utahflydrifters.com/guides/profiles.htm

I think I saw that boat for sale online. That is a good looking ride.
I have the 10 foot blue one I just bought new but mine was on the shelf since 2007 so I got a smokin deal on it. I looked at your picture and One thing I noticed was your pontoons are on wrong. The Sportsman's letters are supposed to be on the outside, and the zipper tags and valves are supposed to be in the rear of the boat. I am not sure what difference it makes but that is the way they say to put them.
Here is what mine looks like.




I got to ask when you aired them up did it go completely flat? The reason I ask is if a guy fill them up during the day they will look deflated over night. Heat or cold will affect them a bunch. So if you fill them in the heat of the day they will be almost flat at night. Or if you fill them up at night they might pop if the sun hits them on a super hot day and your not on the water.

If you live in the Boise area you can take them to outcast and they will fix them for you I am sure. I am so anal about things like that I would probably take it to Outcast but that is just me. The last thing I want to happen on a 18 mile float trip is the patch I put on giving out.
Ron

Thanks Ron. That picture was taken right after i bought it and got it home, the guy said he just quickly put it together to show it to me. So i'm not surprised the pontoons are wrong. I have it all takin apart right now so I'll be sure to put it together correctly!...I would have never even known they were on incorrectly.

When i got home (after the picture was taken) i began to pump the toons up completely when I heard the leak...unzipped the toon and was able to locate the small leak along the seam of the bladder.

I picked up some Aquaseal today. I do live in the Boise area so taking it to Outcast may be the way to go. But which ever way, I will be sure to report back. I really appreciate all the help, you all seem very friendly and knowledgeable. I look forward to getting to know you all on this great forum.