Pontoon problems

[Juniah87]

Hey guys, looking for advice on my new pontoon boat. It's a Wilderness brand from Costco, but I don't know which model or year. I am having 2 significant issues with it. The first is fully inflating the pontoons. I have the adapter, but do not have the pump it came with. It has a one-way valve with a button that can lock the valve open, turning it into a 2-way or closed. Now I just purchased a double action pump from Big-5 and have not tried to use it with the valve in the closed position, so when I get a chance to do that I'll coem back here and comment on it. I bought an air mattress pump to fill it, however the pump does not generate the required PSI to engage the button to open the valve and allow air in, so the only way to use this is by locking the valve in the open position. Taking the adapter off and locking the valve back in the closed position is pretty much impossible to do without losing a substantial amount of air.

Now for the even more troubling problem: weight distribution. I purchased a 30 pounds of thrust Minn kota trolling motor and a battery for this boat that is supposedly rated for both. However, upon installing them in their intended position, sitting in the boat, and shoving off from shore, about 3 feet of the boat is completely out of the water at all times, the battery deck is submerged about 2 or 3 inches underwater, and my backside is about an inch from the lake surface. How do I combat this problem? I don't see a way of counterbalancing with this frame. I suppose I can do what I was talking about in a previous thread and try to build a set-up so the motor is mounted somewhere near the footrests, but you wouldn't think that would be necessary... I've added a picture of the pontoon boat in question, in case you are unaware of the particular model. I'm hoping filling the pontoons a little more with a hand pump that works for this boat will solve this issue, but I'm not certain it will.

Thanks for any advice!

[fisherman92]

I use a small electric pump for mine in the open position to get most of the air in. Then close the valve and use a foot pump for the rest to get it full. You will want your pontoon stiff with air. That should fix the issue. I'm sure there's a better way to do it but the way I do it works fine for me!

[Juniah87]

Good news! The pump I bought does indeed work with the valve in the closed position, now I just need to see if I can get it to float well with the motor and battery aboard. Might be able to try it tomorrow after a doctor's appointment, depending on how long it takes. I can't wait!

[branweeds]

What Costco did you get that from? I have a hole in my float tube and I can't decide between another one or a pontoon like that.

[Juniah87]

I picked this one up on craigslist for 170 dollars, after doing a bunch of research on the brand name I found out they were made for and sold exclusively by costco. I'm not sure where to get them now, maybe amazon? I do not see them on costco's website, and the links tot he product when they were being sold there just say no longer in stock. Here is a link from amazon, but apparently they are no longer stocked here either. Possibly discontinued? https://www.amazon.com/classic-accessor ... b00pfe7xr4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Sideburns]

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead ... IPQ&adurl=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

looks the same?

[4n6fisher]

I had to use an air compressor to get my costco pontoon to inflate enough to have the motor and battery weight above water, it took me a few tries to keep the battery out of the water. The worst thing about the toon is that crappy valve. Also remember that once the pontoons hit the cold water you will loose pressure, like Tom Brady's balls, so over-inflate then you should be good. If you found a hand pump that works that would be good as you could keep it inflated as it cools. Might have to get one of those pumps from Big 5 if they work well with the valve closed.
I also found it useful to attach the seat sideways so I could swivel back and forth, easier to hold the motor handle sitting sideways as well.

[branweeds]

That things looks like a score for 170 bucks! I will keep my eye out for one. Thanks for the info too.

[Sideburns]

I thought mine (fish cat 9) was riding too low in back, so I pumped it up more. Rode better, but next morning in the sun there was a 3 foot long hernia. The inner bladder survived, but the outer cover burst in the sun. I'm hoping to get a repair done for opening day.... I bought a roll of similar material and stabond adhesive from nrs. Havent attempted repair yet. be careful with inflation pressure!

[TrackerPro16]

Saw those at the Tukwila Costco the last time I was there. You might call them and see if they still have one.

[Juniah87]

Quick update, once I was able to fully inflate the pontoons, everything worked great! I do need to get a hand pump so I can inflate on the water, after about an hour on the water I was losing air pressure and the battery basket was slightly underwater again. The big 5 pump worked great, and was only $7.99 but it is too big to fit in the pockets. What I ended up having to do is cut the closest fitting adapter off of the pump, and used electrical tape to tape it to the valve adapter. It was slightly too small for the adapter, but this worked great. It was the double action high pressure pump, if anyone is looking for it. I'm just having problems justifying shelling out 75 dollars for a k pump but I may have to.

The Roanoke is similar to the wilderness, the pontoons are 2 feet shorter, dropping the weight limit tp 350, the wilderness is rated at 400 I believe. I also don't think the Roanoke comes with a motor mount or battery storage, but could not tell, for some reason I can't zoom that website with my phone so I can't see it very well.

I may still mess with a foot peg motor mount so I don't need to worry about inflating every hour or so, will be a hell of a lot cheaper than a k pump.

I can take pictures of the pump setup if anyone would like the reference, just let me know, it's very simple and easy to do, I did it in the front seat of my truck with a 10 dollar pocket knife from walmart

[Bodofish]

Don't forget to drop the pressure when you come off the water. They will self distruct. Float tube I can finish off by blowing it up by mouth but a foot pump or electric inflator is nice to get the big part done. I got a really nice little hand pump with a blow up mattress that the grand kids use when they come over. I think the whole package was around $20 off Amazon. It's pumped a lot of pontoons for free.

Good luck and I hope the wind don't blow.

PS: The company that sells them to Costco is in Kent and they sell to Cabelas too. It's a little different but you can tell they come from the same factory.

[Juniah87]

No worries with deflating after fishing, I empty the bladders to about 50% capacity to fit in the back of my Tahoe. Do you know the company name? May come in handy for parts!

[branweeds]

Okay, my Costco has the wilderness pontoon for 299. Is it worth it?? I might get it on Monday. Only question I would have, do the trolling motor and battery (if you add them) sink down the back of the pontoon at all? I feel like that's a lot of added weight

[Juniah87]

I think it's worth it. Make sure to get a hand pump, as you have probably already read, the electric pumps do not generate the required PSI to fill the pontoons with the valves closed. If you can afford it, I've heard K-Pumps are the highest recommended pumps for pontoons, but they will run you roughly 75 dollars. You can use a cheaper one, but they are more bulky. I picked up a double action pump from Big 5 for 8 bucks that worked. I had to cut the adapter nozzle off of the pump, and use electrical tape to secure it to the adapter that comes with the boat, but it works well. It does take up pretty much an entire back pocket of storage though. Once you detach the hose you can fit the body of the pump and the hose side by side in one of the rear pockets. This same pump is also sold at Sportsman's warehouse for 6 dollars instead of 8, if there is one closer by. If you need more information on how I set the pump up, I can take pictures and show you.

You need to keep the pontoons fully inflated to avoid weight distribution and flotation issues with a battery and motor. This is one of the main reasons I say you need to have a pump with you. I found after an hour of time on the water the battery deck was submerged by about an inch or two. Nothing a couple seconds of pumping couldn't fix. I'm almost certain this was just do to the air temperature and water temperature difference than anything else, so you may only need to do this once per trip, depending on whether you store your boat in a warmer climate, or if it is going onto a trailer or roof rack. I stored mine inside my truck with the seats folded down and the pontoons at about 50% capacity to allow the tailgate to shut. I haven't had any problems with the battery sliding around but I have only been on small lakes. While it was pretty windy, the water wasn't very rough. I'd suggest a tiedown system of some sort, be it a pair of rubber bungies, or a 15 dollar set of ratchet straps should do the trick.

The boat is very portable, but is heavy enough to make it difficult to carry long distances, so a boat ramp or being able to park close to the water is very beneficial. If you have any other specific concerns, let me know!

Here is a link to the pump I got at big 5: http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/store/ ... PMQvNIrLcs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Same thing from Sportsmans Warehouse for 2 dollars less: http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/spor ... /cat100845" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[branweeds]

Thanks for the detailed reply! I will look into what pump I should get if I go pick one up. I am talking to a guy who is selling two of them for 250 bucks.... Cross my fingers I can make a deal with him. I don't have a lot of breathing room on the price so if i can pick those babies up I might get the nice pump you mentioned. I also have a good pair of flippers from my float tube (that now has a massive hole in it) so I am thinking that will be another good method of propulsion for it. It would also be a blast to have the both of them so that I can take buddies out too.

[Bodofish]

OK guy's this is off the top of my head but about 98% sure the name of the company is Classic Industries, they have all sorts of stuff they sell to the big guys, Costco, Cabelas... Anyways, pontoons, float tubes, tents and stuff. Most of the guys that move their toons very far use a wheel mounted at one end and a couple straps or handles that can be stowed, or better yet the oars and they just wheel barrow them to where they want to go. I know there's a few toon mod threads on this site and I'm sure it's pictured. Actually a very common mod.

Brandweeds, I was looking for some other stuff this weekend, checking the online sales sites, of course CL but there's some new kids on the block, "Let Go" and "Offer Up" I know both had several toons posted, brand new in the box, and one of them had a small WW rig that had substantially larger tubes.

Best of luck.

[Juniah87]

I think you are thinking of Classic Accessories. I did not realize they were in Kent, that's awesome!

[Bodofish]

I think you are thinking of Classic Accessories. I did not realize they were in Kent, that's awesome!

Yep, most likely and it sounds better too. As I said, off the top. You would be surprised how many of the toons and tubes get shipped without a blow up tube.

[branweeds]

Brandweeds, I was looking for some other stuff this weekend, checking the online sales sites, of course CL but there's some new kids on the block, "Let Go" and "Offer Up" I know both had several toons posted, brand new in the box, and one of them had a small WW rig that had substantially larger tubes.

Best of luck.

I love Offer Up, just sold a pair skis a couple weeks ago on there. I have yet to check them out for the float tubes though, thanks for the advice.