Houseboat Sunk At Lake Camanche California

[harvrbt]

One of our fellow houseboaters that put in the same day as us had an issue with a pontoon. The mover told him that old HB will sometime split a seam when they are moved. I call BS on that, the boat was moved less than a 1/2 mile. Anyways he started taking on water not sure why he didn't pull it out, he beached it and had been working on it since it was launched June 21st. Yesterday a mutual friend took this picture.

[Stmbtwle]

Doesn't really matter how far you move it, the stresses of hauling and launching could be enough. I'm sure he wishes he'd hauled it when he had the chance; now it's going to be expensive.

[Potis]

Also, with these old steel pontoons when prepping and recoating it is easy to think you've gotten rid of all the old bad material, even pressure test fine, only to find out that when it is subjected to stresses of moving weak spots are exposed and jeapordized. The load alone on the pontoons when on the transport trailer can expose weak areas.

[GoVols]

When my pontoon houseboat was moved, the trailer was put between the 'toons with the boat's weight resting on the steel cross beams, not the 'toons. The 'toons were basically hanging in the air during the ride and weren't touched by the trailer. Boy, I'm sure glad I hired the boat's manufacturer to move mine!

Could you repost that picture so we can click on it to make it larger?

[harvrbt]

When my pontoon houseboat was moved, the trailer was put between the 'toons with the boat's weight resting on the steel cross beams, not the 'toons. The 'toons were basically hanging in the air during the ride and weren't touched by the trailer. Boy, I'm sure glad I hired the boat's manufacturer to move mine!

Could you repost that picture so we can click on it to make it larger?

Sorry but I am not computer savy enough. If you could give me some instruction on how to do it I would be glad to. My daughter was back out there today and they have it raised up out of the water, still not level but better than it was. Not moved yet.

Fred

[Bamby]

Could you repost that picture so we can click on it to make it larger?

[GoVols]

How many of the pontoons ended up leaking to get that effect? At that angle, I'm surprised it didn't flip over entirely. Those are steel pontoons, right? You said they got it floating again?

[42gibson]

that just makes my stomach turn over.

[Frantically Relaxing]

Mine too, but also because it looks like it's going over a waterfall! Just had to fix (and while the water's flat, the poor boat looks worse)

[harvrbt]

It was beached or I think it would have went over. Thanks for fixing the pic for me!! The put air bags under it got it leveled up, pumped the water out and pulled her out. Sitting up in the yard at the lake, not sure what they are going to do with her. Very sad!!

Fred