Are the pontoons on pontoon boats filled with flotation material or air?

Question

Are the pontoons on pontoon boats filled with flotation material or air?

Answer 1

air

Answer 2

Expanded Polyurethane Foam is normally used. This ensures the pontoons remain floatable after a puncture. Air would go out immediately and the pontoon would instantly sink.

Answer 3

i'm pretty sure they're filled with flotation material, it's like a tough styrofoam.

Answer 4

I have seen both. My step-father has repaired/demolished a few boats and he has seen some empty floats and some filled with foam.

Empty seems to be more common though.

He told me that most are sold empty (its cheaper), but a lot of people fill theirs with a foam that starts as a liquid and expands. It fills the pontoon floaters and if they are ever punctured, it slows or even prevents sinking.

Answer 5

the older ones were foam filled.  these days they are compartmentalized and carry 2-4psi air.

Answer 6

Most pontoons are sectioned off every 4-5 feet ,depending on size, and just filled with air.

Many of the people I know who use there boats alot have had them filled or filled them themselves with the expanding 2-part liquid foam.

One friend covered the hole back up before the foam had finished expanding and blew that whole section of his pontoon and had to get a new one..lol