18
C O L O R A D O X T P O N T O O N B O A T O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L
1. Start by giving the pontoon skins a visual inspection.
Is the pontoon skin ripped or torn? Are there any major scuff marks?
If so, it might be an indication of a bladder tear or leak.
2. Check if you can hear air escaping the bladder in any suspected areas. You can apply soapy water
to any suspected areas as well. A leak will produce bubbles. If you find a hole, fix it using the
methods listed earlier in these instructions.
If you don’t find a leak using these methods, check the inflation valves:
3. Give them a visual inspection, making sure the valve is closing properly
and the valve cap closes securely.
4. Check if you can hear air escaping. You may also use soapy water around
the valve. If you find that a valve is leaking air around its edge, the valve
may be loose.
If your boat appears to be losing air, it might not be because of a leak. Changes in air temperature,
elevation and use on cold water (which can cool the air inside the pontoon bladders) can all have an
effect on the air inside the bladders. If none of these factors have changed, you may need to look for
a leak. Follow the steps listed below.
Checking For A Leaking Valve
The inflation valve consists of a two-part assembly. There
is the inflation valve itself and the inflation valve cage. The
inflation valve cage protects
the inflation valve from
damage and is bonded into
the pontoon bladder.
To tighten a loose valve
insert the Inflation Valve
Wrench into the valve and
twist clockwise. It may be
necessary to grasp the
inflation valve cage (which is
inside the pontoon bladder)
to get enough purchase to
twist the valve. Be careful not to tear or rip the
bladder skin.
If the valve is difficult to turn, remove the valve completely
and add a
small amount
of silicon
grease to
the valve
O-ring and
reassemble.
If the valve is
not leaking
around its
edge, you
may have a
defective valve.
Please visit our website at the web address listed on the
last page of these instructions to order a new valve.
If you must remove the pontoon bladder from the pontoon
skin to make a repair, you must completely unscrew the
inflation valve from the inflation valve cage. Make sure to
align the valves in the bladder with the valve openings in
the skin. Since the pontoon skin is captive in between the
inflation valve cage and the inflation valve, care must be
taken not to tear, rip or stress either the bladder or the
skin by over-tightening the valve.
Inflation Valve Cage
(bonded to pontoon bladder)
Inflation Valve
Valve O-ring
Check valve edge
for leaks
Turn counter-clockwise to loosen
Turn
clockwise
to tighten
Inflation
Valve
Wrench
Inflation
Valve Wrench
R E P A I R & T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G
Meijer.com
