I stored the boat on it's side under my lake house deck. It was resting on landscaping filled in with rocks. A 2 foot section of the black trim came off revealing the staples holding the top & bottom sections together. We had a tropical storm and the pontoons flooded. The boat is too heavy to move to use the drain plugs. The plastic frame is bending and the handles flexing when I try to flip it. I can deadlift 405lb and I can't get this thing off the ground, lol. 

 

So....I'm thinking about removing the entire top (trim and staples), draining by hand, and reconnecting the top. I'm looking for suggestions on the best way to reseal the top and bottom sections. 

I wouldn't do that.  I'd just feed a tube inside the drain plug and siphon out as much water as you can until you can lift it.  

I had a bass hunter model and I found the drain plug was mounted between the pontoons and too high to get all of the water out.  Mine took in water from the sides and the chrome rails.  What I did was drill a 2 inch hole in the vertical part of one of the pontoons about an inch up from the bottom.  I then glued in a short (2 inches long) piece of 2 inch pvc.  I used a rubber expansion plug in the pvc pipe to seal it.  When I stored it, I put it on its side with the pvc plug closest to the ground.  If it filled with water, I could just remove the plug and drain.  If it filled with water after fishing, I would tip it on its side and all of the water from the other pontoon would drain over to the pontoon I had put the plug in.  Then after taking the plug out, I could lift the front and all of the water would drain out.  

4 hours ago, Bankc said:

I wouldn't do that.  I'd just feed a tube inside the drain plug and siphon out as much water as you can until you can lift it.  

 

I would agree, you can even get a cheap aquarium pump online for like twenty bucks if you don't want to risk a mouthful of assuredly nasty water. 

 

Same thing happened to mine. I used a hole saw to cut maybe a 1" hole in each pontoon and I seal them with an expansion plug, basically a rubber stopper with a bolt through it. Holes are above the waterline, but they are lower than the drain plugs already in place. Tighten the bolt and the plug expands to fit the hole. Just buy the right size plug at any auto parts store.

 

I do like the idea of the aquarium pump, just never thought of that. Saves holing the hull, but those plugs have never failed me!

The black strip on mine acts like a trough to collect water.  Several days of rain and I end up with a few gallons of water in the pontoons.  It's easy to route a CLEAR hose to a low spot and siphon it out. I thought about installing permanent tubes but my fix in work might work. 

I now have the strip off and in the process of sealing the joint between the upper and lower.  The strip will go on and I will caulk the edge.  Will still have to drain water, but less often (I hope).

I would recommend NOT taking out the staples.  The upper and lower halves have been stressed and might not go back together properly.   I'll take a pic and post tomorrow. 

Still haven't put the seal strip back on. 

Installed a pair of drain plugs (from Academy) in the rear. 

Depending where I parked there was no DOWN in the front.

Easier to tilt up on a block and drain from the rear.

An old carbon arrow shaft straight down and a length of hose dang near gets it DRY in there.

You can feel for a low spot and the clear hose prevents any 'Surprises'.

 

All sealed up. and strip reinstalled.

Added a little more bracing for the 'New' motor.  Got one with a Real Reverse.

Took the Bass Raider out for a run down the river this past Wednesday, total trip of about 15 miles. 

After a couple nights of rain and 3 hours flying on the water

NO WATER in the pontoons. 

It's so easy to check and drain if necessary.

Pull the little plugs, stick the tube in and blow.

No gurgle, no water.

Now I need to remount the stern light as the tiller sweeps the entire stern area.