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Flip/Swap Tubes?

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chinchgub

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Hey everyone, Is it possible to swap tubes? I have numerous unsightly, small dents along the exterior of both of my tubes. I've tried to pdr them out to no avail and I think my options are to either cover them with something like the Vantage Pontoon Guard or just keep using the pontoon as-is and before I sell it I remove the tubes and swap them so the undented interior is now the exterior.

Before asking Bennington I though I would start here. Are the tubes designed and built to be "universal" meaning they can be installed on the port or starboard so mounting holes and brackets line up and would make swapping them an option?

Also, I did some searching and re-searching here and the internet and couldn't find this answer.

Thanks!
 
chinchgub said:
Hey everyone, Is it possible to swap tubes? I have numerous unsightly, small dents along the exterior of both of my tubes. I've tried to pdr them out to no avail and I think my options are to either cover them with something like the Vantage Pontoon Guard or just keep using the pontoon as-is and before I sell it I remove the tubes and swap them so the undented interior is now the exterior.

Before asking Bennington I though I would start here. Are the tubes designed and built to be "universal" meaning they can be installed on the port or starboard so mounting holes and brackets line up and would make swapping them an option?

Also, I did some searching and re-searching here and the internet and couldn't find this answer.

Thanks!
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Yes it is . I had one replaced on my 2014 ,and waiting for one now to replace a leak .
 
Jack M said:
Yes it is . I had one replaced on my 2014 ,and waiting for one now to replace a leak .
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Ok, so there's no such thing as a "port" tube and a "starboard" tube when ordering a replacement? They can be installed on either side.
 
Jack M said:
Yes it is . I had one replaced on my 2014 ,and waiting for one now to replace a leak .
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He's asking if he could SWAP the starboard and port side tubes and not replace. No new tube. Just move them around to hide dents.
 
Yes it is possible to swap tubes. They are symmetrical side to side. This Monday I am going to mount the tubes that I tore off my new Bennington on to the boat up north. It is easier than you would think but you must be careful not to break the boat in two. The key is to support the deck along its length. When I removed the tubes on my Bennington I supported the deck with cribbing (see photo). This time around I intend to support the deck with a rented scissors style trailer. The tubes are surprisingly light considering the strength that they provide.
1658337261064.jpeg
 
This is awesome info, thanks! I'll crawl under mine next time I'm at the sandbar and see if I have those performance foils (doubtful). But this could be a good option for me to save some coin and just swap the tubes around when/if I sell this pontoon in the future.

Thanks again!
 
Don't you think that the person buying it from you will look underneath? I would if I were buying a used pontoon
 
Maybe it's just me, but trying to hide dents to sell it sounds a little "shifty" to me. I would want a buyer to know of every potential problem so I could sleep at night. At least be very specific about what you did and why.
 
Sure. They could look and/or I could tell them that I flipped the tubes and they are getting a cosmetically perfect, fresh start. Dings are not a “problem”, they are cosmetic. Shifty would be telling them everything is perfect and finding out a tube leaks or the engine has lost compression and needs a rebuild/replacement.
 
BigD said:
Maybe it's just me, but trying to hide dents to sell it sounds a little "shifty" to me. I would want a buyer to know of every potential problem so I could sleep at night. At least be very specific about what you did and why.
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That's why I don't buy used .
 
BigD said:
Me neither. I'm going on 67 and have never bought a used car even. Nor lived in a preowned house. Lol
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I have bought 2 ( used cars) both in high school , my Grandfather owned a used car lot . 1st new ,1970 Challenger . Biggest pos I have ever had.
 
chinchgub said:
This is awesome info, thanks! I'll crawl under mine next time I'm at the sandbar and see if I have those performance foils (doubtful). But this could be a good option for me to save some coin and just swap the tubes around when/if I sell this pontoon in the future.

Thanks again!
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FYI - 1658348017961.png
 
One hour ago I sold the pontoon that I have owned for the last 27 years. The boat gave me rewarding experience. It is in excellent mechanical condition but cosmetically is is only good condition. I disclosed everything and the buyer paid me more than I originally paid for the boat. I do not put much value on pride of ownership. If I did I would have sold it years ago and I would have been more of a slave to the boat. Every one is different but when I die I doubt that I will say “I wish I would have taken better care of the boat”. With regard to flipping the tubes, for many people it may not be worth it to flip the tubes.
1658349379752.jpeg
 
OP never mentioned his set up .
 
BigD said:
Me neither. I'm going on 67 and have never bought a used car even. Nor lived in a preowned house. Lol
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LOL!!! I’ve owned over 70 vehicles.
Maybe 6-8 were new. Then again I’m a “side” mechanic, so fixing stuff is my thing.
 
DVW said:
One hour ago I sold the pontoon that I have owned for the last 27 years. The boat gave me rewarding experience. It is in excellent mechanical condition but cosmetically is is only good condition. I disclosed everything and the buyer paid me more than I originally paid for the boat. I do not put much value on pride of ownership. If I did I would have sold it years ago and I would have been more of a slave to the boat. Every one is different but when I die I doubt that I will say “I wish I would have taken better care of the boat”. With regard to flipping the tubes, for many people it may not be worth it to flip the tubes.
View attachment 33102
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Is that the one you were going to switch the tubes on ?
 
DVW said:
One hour ago I sold the pontoon that I have owned for the last 27 years. The boat gave me rewarding experience. It is in excellent mechanical condition but cosmetically is is only good condition. I disclosed everything and the buyer paid me more than I originally paid for the boat. I do not put much value on pride of ownership. If I did I would have sold it years ago and I would have been more of a slave to the boat. Every one is different but when I die I doubt that I will say “I wish I would have taken better care of the boat”. With regard to flipping the tubes, for many people it may not be worth it to flip the tubes.
Click to expand...

What was the cost of that 27 years ago?
I’ll guess 8-10 grand???
 
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