Marina Bum
Well-Known Member
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
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
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