Help wanted with leaking pontoon boat

[bassackward]

I bought a pontoon boat at a yard sale and have been trying to air it up. one pontoon holds air great, but the other one is being challenging. It will parially air up by the nozzle, (approximetly 1/2 way) but then slowly puts air in the front end and deflates the rear. has any one else had a similar problem? I have been working on this for about three days.
I had to patch a hole when I bought it last weekend and the seller said it had not been used for about a year and a half prior to me buying it. :help:

[lilnorthfork]

What kind of toons? Do they have internal bladders? lnf

[bassackward]

I believe they are internal tube toons. The boat is a "JW Outfitters explorer".

[lilnorthfork]

First step would be to find and patch the hole(s). Put air in the toon and submerse it in water, it should bubble at the hole(s). If that doesn't work, you may be able to get replacement bladders. I think JW is/was distributed by 3M. I have had good luck in the past by e-mailing the Scientific Anglers folks directly. If you can, get a name and start a direct conversation. Otherwise, one of the toon manufacturers (I think it was Outcast) told me a year or two ago they could probably find bladders that would have fit my old Leigh Outdoors toon. Hope this helps... keep us posted. lnf

[TheCamel]

1) Take the internal bladder out of the external cover. There should be a full length zipper on the outer cover that lets you remove the inner bladder. You may have to unscrew the connection where the inflate/deflate valve passes through the cover.

2) Take a nice "sudsy" mix of water and detergent and spread all over the bladder. You will see bubbles where the leak(s) are. Mark those with an indelible marker, and allow the bladder to dry. Patch the leaks with a vinyl or urethane(depending on the bladder material) repair patch. Allow to dry overnight or several hours and put the bladder back inside the outer cover. Test to make sure that the leaks have been sealed. You might also check inside the cover at the points where the leaks were to make sure that whatever caused the leak is not imbedded in the cover.
3) Go fish!

[bassackward]

I was able to do this this morning and now it is holding air great! :dance: I am going out saturday morning with it hopfully, to catch some fish! :smash:
If it is a floater Then it will be the best $50.00 i've spent in a long time. :wave:

Thanks for the insight and help...IFISHERS ROCK!! :cheers: :bowdown: