Help! Taking on Water!

[hckrphil]

I have a 13' Fantasy F-13 mini speedboat. I finally got it in the water and noticed its slowly taking on water. <br /><br />When I notice the water in the back hatch, I just run the bilge to drain it. After sitting overnight at the dock, the back under the hatch is full with water again.......<br /><br />What could be the cause of this. I know the outside of the hull doesn't appear to have any cracks or anything. Could it be that it might be leaking AROUND the drain plug?<br /><br />Here is a picture of the boat: <br />

<br /><br />Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!<br /><br />~Phil

 

[rnsi]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

You sure you didn't take a wave over the transom?

 

[DJ]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

It could be coming from: the drain plug and/or ferrule, the engine mounting bolts, splashwell drain ferrules.

 

[hckrphil]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

I'm pretty sure no waves came over the transom. The boat is covered, not that it would totally protect it. The pond that it is docked on is really calm and quiet. I guess it COULD be a possiblity, I'll have to look at it somemore. I'm hoping its something stupid. I'm sick of having "problems" with this boat. I just got it running good and level, now this.....<br /><br />~Phil

 

[2MADAKAT]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

ARe you sure you are taking on water? Or is it possible you have water already under the floor that is slowly draining back and you only notice after you have pumped bilge dry?

 

[DJ]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Whoah!<br /><br />You just got it running level? What did you do to it?

 

[hckrphil]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

I didn't notice any wetness or water coming from the engine mount bolts. I checked that last night when I first noticed the water. If I can get the boat out of the water (I just took my car in with the trailer hitch for bumper repair and won't get it back till Friday) then I can probably easily re-seal the drain plug. I'm hoping that is the problem. <br /><br />Right now the guy's house I have it at, he is running the bilge pump atleast once or twice a day to get the water out. I get the car back Friday so hopefully I'll be able to yank it out. Darn boat....

 

[hckrphil]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Originally posted by DJ:<br /> Whoah!<br /><br />You just got it running level? What did you do to it?

Took off the darn stingray fin. Now, it runs nice and level. No more leaning to the port side

 

[hckrphil]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Originally posted by 2MADAKAT:<br /> ARe you sure you are taking on water? Or is it possible you have water already under the floor that is slowly draining back and you only notice after you have pumped bilge dry?

Its been on a trailer with the drain plug out tilting to the back for about 3 weeks. I JUST got it in the water, and now notice all this water. I drain it, it slowly comes back. Again, I don't see any cracks or anything under the boat. I hope to god its a simple leaking drain plug and not anything else major.<br /><br />~Phil

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

You may want to check the lower bolts that hold the motor on. Maybe even pull them out, coat liberally with 3M 5200 and reinstall, that'll eliminate that possibility. It is possible that the brass sleave the drain plug sets in may be loose. If the sleave moves at all, it needs to be removed and a new sleave installed. Search the hull very carefully for any possible leaks. I has a Marine Tex repair on my hull that was on it when I bought it. I had assumed the repair was fine, I didn't see an hole in the inside when I rebuilt the boat. After having it in the water for awhile, I started having the same problem as you. I pulled it out of the water, turned out there was a tiny pinhole in the Marine Tex. I had to grind the whole mess off and repair it properly.

 

[DJ]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Glad to hear about the running attitude being fixed. <br /><br />Do you notice if the water comes in while running or just sitting?<br /><br />If running, look for the engine throwing water back at the transom. If it is doing that, pay special attention to your engine/transom mounting bolts and the ferrules for the splashwell drain and the splashwell itself.<br /><br />If it comes in while sitting, look at the lower engine bolts and the drain plug and plug ferrule.<br /><br />On another note, if the engine is throwing a lot of water back at the hull, consider raising the engine a notch or two. It may also increase your top speed.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Over this summer we have been doing a lot of work on our boat. At times it would take on a lot of water, even to the point of filling the bilge. The problem’s intermittent, the worse kind. One afternoon I went down to the dock there was a young, non-english speaking fellow 20-ft up, on top of the 60ft+ party boat tied up on the other side of the dock from me. He was washing down the party boat and the over spray was coming down onto my boat. I had removed the hatch covers from the lazarette to do some glass work and never got around to putting them back. The water was running into the open hatches and flowing down into the bilge, just as it should. Was I mad? No! Miguel knows where they keep the beer on the party boat. <br /><br />Is it possible someone else is washing down their boat near yours? It had me stumped for a long time.

 

[backdraft]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Doc , when you have the boat on the trailer in your yard, put the drain plug in and put 3 to 5 inches of water in the boat. Crawl underneath and look for water dripping out. If it goes in , it normally drips out. nevjb

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

DrPhil,<br /><br />Throw oprah from the boat!!!!<br /><br />Try letting it sit in calm water for an hour or two and check the bilge. This will tell you if it is a plug issue. Or give you and idea.<br /><br />Check the seal on the deck hull joint in the forward half of the boat.

 

[Catchem]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

As nevJB says....but an old trick of putting food dye in the bilge water will help you locate the leak very easily.And no the food dye will not stain the hull.

 

[2MADAKAT]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Hey Catchem, good idea, by the way, what are you doing with your boat?

 

[hckrphil]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

UPDATE! I finally had a chance to look into WHY my boat was taking on water. I removed the drain plug, and the 3 screws that held the socket to the hull. Come to find out, it was screwed on with NO sealant AT ALL! Using an air compressor, I could blow air into one of the screw holes that held the drain plug socket to the hull, and low and behold, water would start blowing up into the boat. The water must have been channeling thru. <br /><br />Anyways, I got some 3M 5200 sealant and sealed the CRAP out of the drain plug now and screwed it back on. Also, on the inside, where I noticed the small holes where the water would blow up thru, I fiberglassed the entire area. Now, no more holes, no more leaking drain plug. Tomarrow I put the boat in the water to make sure its sealed for good. Hopefully everything I did today will fix the problem <br /><br />~Phil

 

[Catchem]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

2MadaKat,it's at Eric's place right now getting the floor and stringers done.Saw your boat there last week.Looking sweet.Bet you can't wait to get here out eh.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Hope that fixed it for you.

 

[2MADAKAT]

Re: Help! Taking on Water!

Way to go Dr. Phil. Funny how such a little hole can make such a big difference.<br /><br />Hi Catchem, is your boat the 21' with blue stripe?<br />Had to tear my windshield off today to readjust.<br />You bet I can't wait. Supposed to be ready by next weekend. I'll be watching the progress on yours.