SEMPERFI8387
Moderator
Any chance your bottom paint was copper based? This would potentially be a culprit if so.
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Any chance your bottom paint was copper based? This would potentially be a culprit if so.
Sorry to hear this and I'm sure that's a major shock.
We've likely relocating to Sanibel in the near future and have thought long and hard about whether to even bring our Bennington or just sell it up here in the North. Neither of us can stand the idea of seeing our perfectly lift/canopy kept boat spending much time in the salt, as we didn't think to get that simple option on the boat 4 years ago. Rack storage or trailering seems like the best option if we do, but more likely we'll end up in a different type of boat (for other reasons).
Despite your pain, it is very helpful to share with us, so we know what kind of things can happen, how to solve problems, and hopefully prevent them from happening in the future.
1) the boat that was in the slip next to mine had his shore power cord DIPPED INTO THE WATER for awhile (which may have been putting a ton of current into the water)
Ouch. Any courses of action with who did the under painting? Perhaps a product liability or general liability claim is in order.
I'm thinking that's the source of your problem. That scenario is incredibly dangerous, and not just to your pontoons. If someone jumped or fell into the water near that... Don't even want to thing about that.
It may not hurt to talk to the guy and give him a chance to do the right thing.
The aluminum can be easily welded, I would use compressed air around each pin hole to make sure the holes are not larger than you think. Aluminum usually wont degrade like steel, so the hole is usually the extent of the damage. It is possible to weld aluminum plates over the holes. A good shop can do that. I have done aluminum welding many times so I would not be too concerned. If the holes are small they can be filled in. Still cheaper than a new boat.
I know it sounds dumb but if a coat of bottom paint pretty much sealed those holes previously could you double or triple coat it, and possibly save a couple more years out of it? After repairing the pinholes of course.
TomS, educate me, cant you simply add the anodes if you wanted to bring your boat to salt water. Also can you respond to what tcpip wrote above me
The saltwater package includes the anodes, mounting, bonding system, sealed strakes. The first 3 could probably be added without much fuss, just some $$. The biggie is the sealed strakes, to ensure everything can be flushed with fresh water easily. My boat has the standard non-sealed strakes, so I suppose salt can get retained in those areas and corrode starts inside there.
Tom, that's a valid point. Would you be keeping it in a wet slip?
No definitely wouldn't do that. Rack storage or trailering other than the occasional overnights.
I think my over/under is going to be $7k.
Damn TC, I was thinking along the lines of $700. Hell with the dealer, call these guys. Get you a spray bottle of soapy water, they should have everything else.
http://www.affordableweldingllc.com/
http://www.certifiedmobileweldingflorida.com/