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Strange pontoon etching / disfiguration

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Pbakk

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Hello,
I pulled the 2019 GSR 23’ Bennington pontoon out and noticed a strange disfiguring on starboard side pontoon. I have Ultra Legs, so the boat is always out of the water and it can’t be from the dock. Numerous pontoons in our bay and nobody has anything like it, thus it doesn’t seem like it is the water or stray electricity. I am stumped. Any ideas? The port side (dockside) pontoon is fine. We never get close to other boats.
Thanks,
Pat.
 

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What the hell is that?!? Are you able to scrape it off/clean it?!? Is it some kind of fungus, mold or growth?!?
 
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Thanks for the response. It is not organic. Whatever it is, it caused the metal to change how it looks. It almost looks like acid etching, but the irregular shape is strange. I sent a message to my dealer. I am concerned about resale value impact and possible pinhole leaks.
 
Yikes!

You would think it’s some kind of electric current or chemical/metal reaction corrosion; something along those lines. Do you have neighbors with pontoon boats docked nearby in your bay? No impact on them dockside?

I’d have the same worries as you. And not knowing what’s causing it certainly wouldn’t help with those worries. Keep us posted. Curious if other members have more specific thoughts on it.
 
I agree Jeff , it appears electrical to me as well .
 
Several other pontoons right next to us and nobody else has issues. Strange that it is just the one pontoon. I will keep the group posted.
 
Have you tried putting a Volt meter in the water? My first thought was Galvanic Corrosion. Turn your boat on. Check for current on your toons with a volt meter. Possible bad ground ????
 
Thanks for the idea MrG. Unfortunately the Pontoon is out of the water for the season, but I will try that if still fighting for an answer in Spring. I also has a message into the dealer. It is going to be a long winter, even longer than normal.
 
Went on the internet and “researched”Galvanic Corrosion. Now I am scared, especially after seeing pictures of what it can do.
 
Did you all swim around your dock?!? When we kept our boat on a lift we shut the power down to the lift before we jumped in just to be safe!
 
MrG said:
My first thought was Galvanic Corrosion. Turn your boat on. Check for current on your toons with a volt meter. Possible bad ground ????
Click to expand...
There’s no way around it in pictures. It is certainly what it looks like. Like your suggestion and the idea of bad ground on boat leading to it if there’s no current in water around dock area (which you’d expect to then impact other areas of pontoons too).
 
Wow, I have to say that for not setting in the water unless it’s being used, your toons look awful. Your lake must have some pretty hard water! Personally, I’ve never seen anything quite like that.

Now that I’ve likely added to your consternation, what do your Ultra Legs look like? Similar?

Obviously, I hope you’re able to get the situation under control next year so no further scarring is inflicted on your toon. Keep us posted.
 
BTW I’m no expert on galvanic corrosion but I think it is something that’s more common that comes from the boat itself.
Example a bad ground or electrical component on the boat itself that “when running” or a Battery charger is working can cause power to do funky things to your toons.
 
Michiman said:
Wow, I have to say that for not setting in the water unless it’s being used, your toons look awful. Your lake must have some pretty hard water! Personally, I’ve never seen anything quite like that.

Now that I’ve likely added to your consternation, what do your Ultra Legs look like? Similar?

Obviously, I hope you’re able to get the situation under control next year so no further scarring is inflicted on your toon. Keep us posted.
Click to expand...
We do have hard lake water, but the pontoons had some scars when I purchased the boat new. The dealer discounted the new pontoon as he said it had some “stains from snow” being pushed next to it. I regret buying it as I didn’t get to see it until the day I picked it up and I should have pushed back. Some of the cleats were rusted that they replaced after I noticed them. I will never buy again without inspecting first. We purchased based on one one the showroom floor. My guess is that the snow had some salt in it. This was also the boat that they took to the boat show and it is possible they didn’t quickly clean it from possible winter road salt. Live and learn. The disfiguring in the pictures is new and is below the battery compartment that also has a battery charger. Ultra legs actually look good.
 
It sounds ( to me ) that the Salt in the snow that was pushed against the toons is your issue .
Salt is the reason my dealer stopped participating in the local boat show here . Boats had to be transported to the show and back on snow ( and salt , sand and what ever chemical is used ) covered roads . Then they had to be thoroughly cleaned before and after , he said it was just not cost effective with all the extra work . He also had show visitors that wore ice creepers on the display boats .
 
OK, have to speculate just a bit here. Yes the damage could be some sort of power leakage, however this has an odd look. Have the pontoons had any kink of coating (polymer, shark hide, ceramic, wax)? The reason to check is that the pics have the appearance of degradation at or just below the surface...like maybe a poor application or prep for some coating.

If there is the possibility of some adjustment or dealer cleanup, then investigate that. But if not, you might try removing any coating and polishing the actual aluminum surface to see how deep the problem goes. BTW: removing some coatings require the right chemical striper. You may have to try a couple...

Here's hoping the issue is superficial with no significant metal impact....
 
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