Twin Troller X10 - Owners, My Bad!

[@LunkerFishing]

I forgot to put this in the video: Some of you store your TT unheated or outside during the cold northern winters. What would three gallons of water do to your boat when it freezes inside your hull? Gerry

[@johncollins7044]

Nothing. The water would freeze and form to the interior hull. I doubt anything would happen near the motors but expansion of water freezing, in small holes, could create problems overtime.

[@LunkerFishing]

John, Generally I agree with you however the surpass resin hull when cold is likely brittle. Three gallons of water in the hull may expand enough to crack that hull. If we get that cold in Central Florida I am moving anyway. 🤣

[@timhopkins3591]

Hi Gerry! Thank you so much for all your videos. I recently purchased a 2012 Twin Troller and all I have is the hull. I will need to purchase everything including seat frames, wiring, motors, controllers, pedal assembly, and weed guards. I have read that a lot of owners have had problems with the controllers malfunctioning. I don’t want to spend a lot of money just to have constant problems with the controllers and/or motors etc. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@LunkerFishing]

Tim, I can only give this advice. I have owned my TT for over 8 years and four month so far. I am in Central Florida and use my TT regularly 12 months of the year. My TT has always been garage kept. I rarely remove the pedals from the boat, even when transporting. I also keep dielectric grease on the connectors for the pedals. I do not like fishing in the rain but I am not saying I have never been caught out in a substantial rain storm. Since Florida is the Lightning Capital of the USA I try to not be the next victim. In all the time I have owned my TT I have never had ANY issues with my pedals. True I have heard of others having pedal problems but I have never. You will have to decide for yourself if this is good or bad advice. Fishing with your hands free by using the pedals is wonderful. I have owned many boats and was a tournament bass fisherman for many years. Sometimes I miss being able to go faster but if I even knew all the bass I drove past to get quickly to my next spot I probably would not have been racing all over the lake. The ease of taking care of the TT and the peace and quiet this boat affords me far exceeds the ability to speed around the lake. Congratulations on the new boat and Welcome to the Family. Gerry

[@timhopkins3591]

@@LunkerFishing thank you so much for your response. I think if I perform preventative maintenance I should be fine. Do your controllers happen to have the resin inside the controllers which covers the circuit board? Thanks again for responding Gerry.

[@LunkerFishing]

Tim, I think that material is called potting? Yes, I have that on mine but read that some do not to keep heat from causing issues. I am not sure which is best but I have never had any problem with mine and approaching 8.5 years soon. Gerry

[@donoyama386]

Thank you Gerry. I did find water in the hulls on my twin troller and this video was very helpful. This tip makes getting water out of the hulls much easier than tipping it on the sides (I've never done that) or by sucking it out of the side holes (which was extremely difficult to do, although I was able to do it). I found I had around 8 gallons of water in mine because I didn't know water was getting in. One day, I noticed I was getting lousy gas mileage while towing and it seemed more and more difficult to move the boat around on the trailer. I'm glad I found your videos on this issue. I used the DIY pump for changing small engine oil that you suggested and it worked great (even through the side holes). This tip will work even better. Just an FYI, I put a scope down the new drain holes and I didn't see any opening between the transom (I was hoping to drill one hole), so I did have to put a drain hole on both sides.. Thanks again. Don

[@LunkerFishing]

Don, I am glad this video helped you. On Facebook you asked if anyone seals around all the screws and motor bracket under the boat. I have a video where I do just that. I use 3M 4200 marine sealant around everything below the water line. I still get some water in but probably need to seal the screws to the grates over the motors again. Gerry

[@DoubleTFishing]

I had a kayak that took on some water, finally figured out it was an anchor trolley hole that was near the waterline, thanks for sharing Jerry

[@LunkerFishing]

Double T, I had a kayak too but got rid of it for the TT after a 12' gator came after me. 🐊

[@DoubleTFishing]

Yikes!!! No gators in the Texas panhandle

[@larryleeper1633]

Another excellent video. Backing a short trailer is difficult. I like Gerry’s methods of troubleshooting, lots of practical suggestions and common sense.

[@LunkerFishing]

Thanks Larry! Catch one for all of us. 🎣 Gerry

[@rogeratkinson592]

I've been watching your videos for a few years and am planning to finally order one in about six to eight weeks. Your videos are awesome and I especially love that you have listed the parts you have installed to personalize your boat.

[@LunkerFishing]

Roger, I appreciate your kind words. You will enjoy being part of our family. Gerry

[@davidhill5215]

Gerry, thanks for video. I did the same thing in my TT. I used stainless screw in plugs in each and a small pump run by me electric drill. I also had the same result as you…. More water in one side. I raise the front of boat as high as I can to get all the water to run to the rear

[@LunkerFishing]

David, It sounds like you did the same thing I did. Great minds think alike! Gerry

[@davidhill5215]

@@LunkerFishing I agree! After taking out all the stuff in boat and turning it up on each side to get water out, I decided that I am too lazy to go through that again! I am so lazy I use my electric battery drill to pull my TT back onto the trailer😂

[@LunkerFishing]

Not lazy, smart! 😂

[@Ram3500goat]

Hey Gerry I have the same problem noticed it first trip out kinda disappointed but especially with how much it cost but I flipped my boat upside down and took every single screw out of the boat and marine siliconed them even my rod holders and the serial number plate and the rear transom plate the passenger plate an trolling motor bolts an plates everything that has a hole in the boat I love my boat but that is something that should be standard from the factory I actually picked my boat up at the factory to save money in 2019 saved about 600 bucks drove from Nc to Indiana this is something that needs to be addressed it’s a simple fix u simply can’t drill holes in a boat and not plug them or silicone kinda like a metal roof the screws have rubber washers it’s pretty simple problem to fix I’d like to contact frank an let him know because the drain plugs are really worthless where they are u can only get so much out of them I fished a small hose back threw them an shop vacuumed the water with great difficulty but didn’t have to drill more holes but your way is the easiest for sure but like u said it’s hurts to drill lol😂

[@LunkerFishing]

I fixed this completely in my later videos. Gerry

[@LunkerFishing]

Ram, I absolutely agree the factory drain holes are not easy to use. My boat didi not come with any so I added them myself, but never used them. I prefer to suction the water out through the hole I made on each side at the top in my video. Much easier. Gerry

[@wa4aos]

Great video, Thanks !!

[@LunkerFishing]

Thank you! Watch my later videos of how I fixed this problem completely. Gerry

[@johncollins7044]

Gerry, what you did is a great solution! I wouldn't want to take my TT apart just to tip it on it's side and I don't have any gadgets like you. As you well know, the weak/water entry point is at the trolling motors.

[@LunkerFishing]

John, I am not sure where the water entered my boat but I sealed EVERYTHING and you can see that in my video I linked to. Since I have no new water inside the hull, and I had the TT out fishing three times since this video, I truly believe the water was inside the hull before I sealed it in. Hopefully I will not have water inside the hull in the future but lets wait and see. Gerry

[@JeffreyEdmonds-ie9di]

Just a suggestion...... take a wire coat hanger straightened out cut to a length long enough to reach the areas inside the hull you want to reach and have enough to hold on to. Tape the plastic hose to the coat hanger. Now you can control the end of the hose.

[@LunkerFishing]

Good idea! Gerry

[@rockyharpole6526]

Hi Gerry. I live in Oregon on the west(wet) coast and it rains a lot. I fish as much as I can in the winter which means lots of water in boat. I learned early on about water in the hull. I've replaced one motor so far.. expensive..! I hate drilling holes in the my boat but when you start adding 'stuff' you have ways for water to get in from above the water line. I avoid that as much as possible but still do. Just be sure to plug those 🕳️ holes with something like 3M Marine Sealant. I learned that water will flow from one side to the other but you have to have your boat on it's side or upside down to get it to drain from those holes on the sides. I put those drain holes in my boat also after purchasing my boat because they weren't there from the factory. It's not unusual for me to be in the rain for 5 or 6 hrs so the small pockets?? in the rod tray will fill with water so it's only inevitable that any holes not sealed will leak into hull. You have some great ideas and I've used them in the past, this is a great idea also. Thank you. I've had my TT for about five years and have followed your channel from the beginning. I truly do enjoy the boat. Thank you and have a wonderful Christmas 🎄. Rocky in Oregon.

[@LunkerFishing]

Rocky, you fish in the rain way more than I do. I have filled the small reel pockets many times but usually from waves filling them. I always seal every hole I put in the boat but do not often put holes in the TT. Everything below the water line has been fully sealed with 3M 4200.

[@donniedickerson8077]

That 12v Pump Works Great , I Used A Shop Vac To Suck It Out Of My Boat As Well Once ,It Accumulates Over A Period Of Time , Condensation Can Accumulate More Than You'd Think Over A Period Of Time , Great Tips For Any And ALL Pontoon Boat Owners , Merry Christmas To You And Your Family Jerry , May The New Year Bring Lotsa Lunkers Your Way ,, 🎅🌲💦🐟 🎣

[@LunkerFishing]

Donnie, Merry Christmas to you also. I like the idea of more Lunkers next year! Gerry

[@donniedickerson8077]

@@LunkerFishing Lol 😁,, I thought you may like that idea lol ,,let's hope it happens lol 🤣🤣 Have A Merry Christmas Jerry 🎅🌲

[@gmansideas7463]

Merry Christmas Gerry and Excellent video. That was 25 lbs. of water you took out of that hull! I agree with all your readings, findings, solutions and methods here. You may have already thought about attaching a straight plastic tube to the end of the siphon hose to be able to handle it better going down into the boat to get the water. Yah, I wouldn't want to unload the boat off the trailer, unload it of stuff, and then start rolling it around to get water out. And then, with your plug method, you can check on any possibility of future water very easily. I've made that check before, rolling my trailer and listening for water, and have heard nothing but will certainly do it again next season. Yes, and it is "painful" 😄 drilling holes in the boat. 🎣

[@LunkerFishing]

To the other Gerald, Merry Christmas to you and the family. I think the water moving around inside the hull was causing my TT to shift the levelness of the boat when it was in the water. I am glad I removed that water and I feel the boat is more stable now. It is good you check your TT for water because you live in a climate that is colder than in my refrigerator/freezer and water in the hull could cause damage when it freezes. Gerry

[@lynbren]

I had water in my hull quite awhile back and used the factory holes in the middle. I used a harbor freight hand pump with a long hose and pumped out about 7 gallons. I'm sure I need to do it again, I heard a little splashing the other day.

[@LunkerFishing]

Wow Lynn, you had more water than I had. I hope you do not have the boat stored for the winter where all that water can freeze inside the hull. Gerry

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

Thanks for sharing once again with us Gerry. It's good to know how to deal with that problem should it arise. That looks like the best way to deal with that issue, should it arise.

[@LunkerFishing]

Allen, I agree! Gerry

[@tedondrish9204]

That was cool. I had small amount of water in one hull as well the first year if you recall. Once it drained/dripped out, I sealed everything that you did in your older video with 5200 and also sealed around those round discs on the bottom, and I never had that problem again. I like that pumping out solution, and wow that was a lot of water.

[@LunkerFishing]

Ted, Merry Christmas to you and your family! I was surprised I had water in the hull and how much was in there. Gerry

[@rclark999]

Gerry, so glad I watched this before I used the method that I had originally planned! Great job once again!

[@LunkerFishing]

Ron, Glad I could help! Gerry 😁

[@bobhall5893]

Hi Jerry, love your videos. You may recall when I had a pontoon water issue I used my shop vac and a smoke pen to locate the breach. The first thing I noticed when attaching the shop vac to one of the factory kayak plugs the other side easily sucked a dollar bill to the other pontoon. This told me that water can move freely between pontoons. The breaches I found with the negative air pressure test were a few weed guard holes and the main drain hole wall. The main drain hole wall was the worst. The Surpass resin floor of the TT is not that thick, so I believe the process has to be someone in the factory has to wipe the wall of the hole with more resin to prevent water intrusion. I simply used 3M 5200 to seal the hole wall.

[@LunkerFishing]

Bob, I remember your video. The fact that the hull of the TT rises up in the middle may stop the flow of water from one pontoon to the other unless there is enough water inside the hull to breach over to the other pontoon. I do not think I have an issue at the drain plug area. Gerry

[@mikesigncarver3803]

As far as I know I am the first one that drilled the holes where you're talking about. I used stainless steel drain plugs and a drill powered pump. I posted pics on TT site on facebook. I actually drilled them a little farther back towards the end of the boat. My pump didn't work as well as I wanted so I might get one like yours.

[@LunkerFishing]

Mike, How did you stop new water from entering your hull? Gerry

[@mikesigncarver3803]

@@LunkerFishing I just applied some more of the 3M marine 5200. I really had very little water in it. But then again I put new motors on about a year ago so it was really new. I had actually put the side plugs on and then got to thinking about how hard it would be to get water out and then thought of the system I did.

[@LunkerFishing]

I do not like putting holes in the hull below the water line. If sealing them fails the water will come in.

[@mikesigncarver3803]

@@LunkerFishing Yes Sir I wish I would have thought of that system before I drilled into the sides of the boat but it didn't dawn on me until I actually stood back and looked at the plugs in the sides.

[@bill1946]

Hi Gerry, I couldn’t help to think the whole time I was watching this video, that I thought our boats were supposed to be filled with foam during the manufacturing…? Definitely doesn’t seem to be the case when you said you could see from top to bottom through the hole you drilled. 🧐

[@LunkerFishing]

Bill, I have owned many boats and most are foam filled, but I never had the belief the TT had a foam center. Did they tell you it was before you bought the boat? Gerry

[@bill1946]

@@LunkerFishing I thought I remember reading that or seeing it in the videos covering the stability of the boat. I do have the (2) drain plugs on my sides of my boat that came on it when I bought it. I could be wrong about the foam specs.

[@mikesigncarver3803]

@@bill1946 There is no foam in the boats, I have cut two large squares in the top (approx 6"x10" one on each side above motors) so I had access inside hull because I had to drill out the old bolts because they were broken off and wouldn't turn because previous owner kept boat in the salt water. I now have 2 dry storage compartments which I love and use all the time where I cut the holes. I bought the hatches from oldtown because I had the hatches on a kayak I had before the TT boat and loved them then.

[@LunkerFishing]

Bill, I only hope I live long enough to be wrong lots more times in the future. 😄 Gerry

[@LunkerFishing]

Mike, I would love to see some photos of the hatches. [e-mail] Gerry

[@williamfigg5563]

I have the very same issue! Owner now about 7 years! Question is why are Twin people not adjusting the issue! That is the real Question!! Thank you for your heads up! Just thought I was getting old and weak!! Lol lol

[@LunkerFishing]

Bill, FYI we are getting old! One day at a time. 😊 Gerry

[@williamfigg5563]

@@LunkerFishing Jerry I talked to that TT people today RE: their LEAKING BOATS. Hopefully the will adjust the build practice so this will stop . Thank you for bringing this to our attention! Bill

[@LunkerFishing]

@@williamfigg5563, Wow, after all this time they will do something?

[@ThatShinerGuy]

Glad you caught that leak!! Sounds like you didn't get any more water in on your next couple of trips, so hopefully it won't be an ongoing problem.

[@LunkerFishing]

I agree Shiner Guy. Hopefully no more water. Gerry

[@jerrydoucette7091]

Gerry, if you can put air pressure in hull and spray soapy water on all parts that are possible leak points you might find where the water is coming from. My water ( if any) is a block of ice!!

[@LunkerFishing]

Jerry, That could work! Your TT texted me to say it is cold outside. 😄 Gerry

[@kagnewmp12]

Yes Gerry I also was saying OUCH when I saw you drilling holes in your TT. If it took 7 years to get that much water I would fill in those drilled holes with resin material cause you could always do it again in a few years if you had to verses having to look at those plugs all the time. When I watched the water going into that bucket I was looking for one of John's tweezer fish to show up. The way you did get it out was much better than those side vents put in by Freedom Electric.

[@LunkerFishing]

Steve, I do not mind the look of the plugs I just installed. I prefer to have a way to easily look inside the hull to see if there is new water in the hull that would indicate there is still a leak someplace. Merry Christmas to you and the family! Gerry

[@pattyschuyler2164]

Good info

[@LunkerFishing]

Thanks Patty! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@PainterD54]

You can get in trouble with the DNR being you're transporting water from one lake (or body of water) to another. According to law, you must drain all water from your boat so you don't transport zebra muscles, etc. or any evasive species from one place to another. You may have contaminated a lake without even knowing it! You better fix that or park it!

[@LunkerFishing]

I drain the water that was in the hull onto the ground miles away from the lake. If the DNR has a problem with that they can come find me.

[@robertmercer469]

How is water getting in the floor

[@LunkerFishing]

It was leaking into the hull through the screws under the boat that hold the grates in place. I fixed those with a plastic welder

[@robertverrinder1614]

How are you getting water in the pontoon? Is it getting in by the motor mounts.

[@LunkerFishing]

If I knew it would not be getting in any more. Gerry

[@geneheidenreich860]

Why are there not garboard drains in the hull bottoms to easily solve this problem?

[@LunkerFishing]

You would have to ask the manufacturer Gerry

[@raymondjohnson6496]

I thought it had form all in side that boat

[@LunkerFishing]

???

[@larryleeper1633]

Wow, interesting Gerry. Have you been caught in any heavy rain while fishing? Curious where the water came from..

[@LunkerFishing]

Larry, it has been a couple of years since I was caught in the rain. The water must have come in from under the water line. Gerry

[@jedwards4467]

Have you figured out where the water is getting in?

[@LunkerFishing]

The screws that hold the grates on. I did a video on resealing them and now no more water.

[@myrallytest2999]

Hey Jerry, great video as always, I am now concerned along with the many others, I always said to myself Jerry has never had water in his boat so I am probably OK... I do have a question, the pump you are using, that "looks" like an Oil Transfer pump which may fail using for pumping water as there is nothing to lube the pump?

[@LunkerFishing]

Yes, that is an oil transfer pump. They are designed to transfer all fluids except gasoline. Gerry

[@myrallytest2999]

@@LunkerFishing OK thanks again, I was just going by the information on Amazon about that pump. "Do not use this pump to extract water, gearbox oil or easy flammable liquids (fuel, petrol etc)"

[@LunkerFishing]

Interesting!

[@kofdenhamsprings2701]

Thank you Jerry. Believing in that "ounce of prevention" thing AND MINE had no water in it (YET)...I watched your other video on sealing the motor plates and did it. Never knowing what can happen when one undoes something it was comfortable watching you do it first. I even sealed the two screws holding in the outboard motor plate. Thanks, K

[@LunkerFishing]

K, that is good to hear. Hopefully you will never get water inside your hull so you can dedicate your time to catching fish! Gerry

[@johnmcgrath5677]

Water is over 8 pounds per gallon 25 pounds less is a good thing

[@LunkerFishing]

That is why I was happy to drain the hull! 🌝

[@tomschum-fi8sk]

Maybe it is condensation

[@LunkerFishing]

Condensation could produce ounces but this is gallons. Gerry

[@robertmercer469]

How did water get in there

[@LunkerFishing]

I am not sure but it must be leaking through a screw or other opening in the hull that is not sealed well.

[@nancybarnes2276]

How did water get in?

[@LunkerFishing]

I believe it got it through some opening below the water line. There are screws that support it the grates over the trolling motors, screw holes on the plates that support the trolling motors, old screw holes on transducers and even the plugs where the surpass resin was injected into the mold when the boat was formed. I tried to seal most of those items but clearly one of them still lets the water in. Gerry