HELP!!! She's taking on water captain!! Anyone know what this drain port is?

[sutor623]

Hey guys, my new to me boat has been taking on water. Just a tidbit of info, flotation foam is dry, and I weighed the hull and it matched NADA specs. Boat took on 40-50 gallons of water in 6 hours of cruising/anchoring up. It did this for two trips, and on the second trip I was sure not to let any water enter from topside.

Fiberglass has no cracks, holes or really any issues under the hull at all. I removed and re 4200'd all the thru hull fitting in the transom, and installed smart tabs and two new transducers. I was super sure to seal everything very well. I went into the water yesterday and did not see any air bubbles coming from out of any thru hull fittings.

There is an odd little drain in the anchor hatch, but I'm not sure exactly what it is for, seeing as the water that gets into the hatch drains right into the bottom center and into the bilge. Attached is a picture of the hole outside and inside of the anchor hatch. Also, you can see in the last picture, as the boat slows down, or if there is any weight up front (people) while the boat is at rest, I believe this little hole goes below the water level, but what the heck is it?? Maybe I should just plug it? I wish I thought to check it yesterday when we were anchored up and friends were up there hanging out. Any insight would be much appreciated!!

 

[sutor623]

I am thinking that if this is leaking water, the issue is that there is an anchor drain AND a drain into the bilge. I bet I should just plug up the thru hull anchor drain and just let the anchor hatch drain out into the bilge.

 

[jbcurt00]

I am thinking that if this is leaking water, the issue is that there is an anchor drain AND a drain into the bilge. I bet I should just plug up the thru hull anchor drain and just let the anchor hatch drain out into the bilge.

Yep

I wonder if a smaller diameter live well drain plug would fit, or if you could even get it into the drain and tighten it

 

[64osby]

I believe that is just a vent for the front hatch. I would stick a piece of air filter type foam in the vent. It would stop any water that would splash in the opening.

I would have to believe that you have a major issue somewhere else in the hull. Or a hose loose under the sole.

40 to 50 gallons is very problematic.

It also sounds like you don't have a working bilge pump, you should get one before the next outing.

I had that kind of water issue once while on vacation, we had some major rains. Figured out my pump wasn't working. Pulled it apart, cleaned it up and then it ran for over 20 minutes draining the boat.

 

[sutor623]

Thanks for the input guys. 64, I have checked all of my hose connections and I just cant see any water coming in. Even if I didn't apply enough 4200 to a screw hole on a transducer it wouldn't take on 50 gallons in 6 hours would it? It just doesnt make sense. There is NOWHERE it could be taking on this much water other than that HUGE drain up front. You can see in that last picture the port def. goes underwater at times, especially if I have 2-3 adults hanging out up front while at anchor.

I agree about the bilge pumps. There is an automatic and a manual bilge, but they need to have the switch set to them. I purposely left the bilge pumps off to see how much water was actually getting in there.

 

[64osby]

Buy a rubber plug at the hardware store and plug the front hole as part of a test.

I still believe you will have water in the hull from somewhere.

 

[sutor623]

Buy a rubber plug at the hardware store and plug the front hole as part of a test.

I still believe you will have water in the hull from somewhere.

Ok, will do. I hope you are incorrect about the water, but I reluctantly agree with that statement............

 

[mattsmall1972]

Maybe you should fill up that area with a hose to see if it goes directly into the bilge or leaks out somewhere else.

 

[sutor623]

Maybe you should fill up that area with a hose to see if it goes directly into the bilge or leaks out somewhere else.

It does go directly to the bilge, I checked that. Both of my last trips I took the boat out in rough water and I know for a fact that port went under.

 

[sutor623]

Soooooooooooooo,

Just to finish off this thread in case anyone was curious, I ended up pulling the transducers and trim tab screws and put new 4200 sealant in all the holes, just in case. Took the boat to the small lake behind my house, and got into the water. I checked the fiberglass under where the bunks are when the boat is on the trailer, and all looked great. Got all the way on the front of the boat and looked over the bow, and the anchor box drain was about 2-3" over the water line. Pulled the boat out of the water after about 2 hours, and the bilge was dry. No water.

I had me, my wife, daughter, my friend his wife and two daughters (young children) on the last trip and at one point my friends family was all sitting up front. We are talking around 450lbs. on a choppy day on the lake. I am pretty sure that this is where the water came in at. I put a rubber plug in the anchor hatch drain and hope it does the trick on days like this in the future. Thanks for the insight fellers!!

 

[64osby]

Nice update.

Sounds like issue solved.

 

[littlerayray]

Thanks for the update glad you got it solved

 

[sutor623]

Thanks fellas!