Pontoons

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by mbryant, Jan 21, 2008.

  1. mbryant
    Joined: Jan 2008
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    mbryant New Member

    I have quick question on pontoons, they are sealed to hold in air is there a system where an injected foam is used in case of leaks?
     
  2. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    A very few are actually filled with floatation, the extreme and vast majority are hollow, so keep the holes to a minimum.
     
  3. captaintrue
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    captaintrue Junior Member

    Air provides more buoyancy than foam. Foam filled hulls tend to still float even if holed. Tradeoff?
     
  4. alan white
    Joined: Mar 2007
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    alan white Senior Member

    My preference would be for hollow pontoons. Ultimately, you always (except in very rare conditions) expect the un-punctured hull to float the whole boat (if on edge).
    Then the boat is lighter and simpler to repair. Pontoon boats are by design not normally found beyond protected waters, of course, just like most canoes, jet-skis, rafts, etc..

    Alan
     

  5. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    The pontoons can be divided into compartments, to drastically minimize flooding.
     
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