Ping/Audio Test

[Marina Bum]

Warning! Possibly a stupid comment: The only problem with Boatels was that they weren't made in aluminum. Had they been they would nearly all still be on the lake but they would not have been nearly as affordable initially.

The other challenge they have is the design of the pontoons themselves, they are flat on top and the bare steel crossties are welded directly to the flat top. Over time forces beat down the flat tops and water pools there next to the cross ties. In time they rust through and water gets inside from the top of the pontoons. It can be reinforced and the leak fixed but the problem is that there are around 15 cross ties on a 50 foot Boatel or 30 connections. They also corrode rust heavily in the bays on the pontoons that hold the aluminum gas tanks. The metallurgy between steel and aluminum accelerates the rust if they are in contact and the bays themselves help hold moisture. So water pours in from the tops and the chambers with the bays, check those first.

It pains me to say so but Kayott had a much better pontoon design with an oval shaped pontoon, I beams with water relief cuts welded on top the length of the pontoon and then galvanized cross ties bolted perpendicular to the pontoons. Water can't sit on top of them and forces can't beat down the tops because of the 5 inch or so I beam.

So, to me Boatel had the cooler looks with the rounded bow and canted windows, contoured fiberglass overhanging roofs but Kayott has the superior toons and better flotation.

If anyone wants a good project Kayott I know where a good one is that needs motors and a roof job, Toons look very good. You could contact me by messaging if you want the details. I'd resurrect it myself, I'd enjoy that but I've got a large houseboat to maintain in the marina and three other boat projects going right now. If I took in another I'd have to plan on living on it after my wife left. LOL


An example of Kayott toons and cross ties

 

[Richard]

I retired our 1978 42' Kayot this past January after 25 years of ownership. We had the lower part of the pontoons tested (cheaper than a full pontoon inspection) via the ping density test by Advanced Marine Survey ... We failed the testing miserably though we had kept up with sand blasting and painting every 3-5 years. The boat was taken out of the water for 6 months each year (at least while we owned it). We were single owners.

The boat was listing slightly when we pulled it in the fall of 2023 and had two obvious holes in the bottom of the pontoons. The following is abbreviated from the report:

"Both pontoons were tested in areas noted from bow to stern from bottom of pontoon to the water line. The vessel's original thickness appears to be .093 (3/32") with 30% degradation being .066 (Around 1/16") All findings from the audio gauge will be determined by these gauge settings. This vessel appears to be in Fair/Poor condition with several areas of concern."

At least 50% of the areas tested were less than 0.066" with some readings below 0.050" .

According to the surveyor, though there is not a national standard of go no go thickness, the insurance companies look at anything under 30% of the original thickness as being problematic. We could have spent lots of $$$ on repair of the lower sections, as not surprisingly the lower portions of the pontoons were in the worst shape based on the readings.

If I knew that I could have insurance down the road, I might have considered spending the money -- but the boat was 45 years old and there was no way to guarantee that even if repaired, how long I could keep the boat insured.

The boat was moved from Offshore to Rabbit Brush in Hanksville.

Dave from Rabbit Brush is servicing the engines this fall -- There are two 2015 60HP mercury Bigfoots with controls. Total hours -- 155 total/ea (so really low hours). The engines had worked flawlessly. Contact Dave or myself for info on the engines (though they will not be ready for sale until late fall or this winter).

We had a blast for 25 years! -- We were hoping for a few more -- but that's life -- Staying at Defiance house, though not the same, was workable (and a tad cooler).

 

[Big_BobberII]

Yes, our Boatel is for sale. We have had it 10+ years. Lots of great memories with the kids and grandkids. Here's a picture of the pontoons when we bought it. Note the fiberglassed underside. The registration says 39' but with the swim platforms it is 42' so that's what you pay for in a slip. It's listed with Aramark Wahweap Marina on I dock and insured with Steve West at American National Insurance in St. George. We had Warner Greave and then Geico insure it but they both don't insure steel boats like ours anymore. Last time we had it out for maintenance we were going to have the ping test but Bull Dog Marine Services quoted us a high price and said the test was not all that great. Captain John Sears did our last out of water survey and he was great.

 

[Marina Bum]

It's to bad that the insurance market for old steel pontoon boats has turned so quickly. Both in 2018 and again in 2020 I was able to insure old 50 foot Boatels on just a current survey and an application, One was with US Boats and the other with American National. Like so many other things it seemed to change with the Pandemic, IDK if it's coincidence or if all the new boat owners that came on during that time caused more losses?

The Boatels and Kayots were incredible starter boats in my day. Simple, sturdy and affordable. You could jump in and start working and house boating on a budget. The advice I got was find an old Boatel in the best shape you can your ownership with that so I did.

Either way it's more difficult to get insurance now. In late 2021 US Boats, an owners association who broker Geiko sent us a letter and said they were no longer insuring steel boat of old boats.

But I still hear from a few that with just a good survey they are getting insured but that is the exception and not the norm. I know carriers are now shying away from steel boats kept on the buoy field and group owned boats; The theory seems to be that if listing starts chances are better someone will report it in the marina than on the buoy.

To me it's still worth trying different carriers but have a good survey in hand and plan to keep it in the marina in your name only. I think that's your best chance. If you get caught up in the proof by pinging it seems to get dicey quickly