Boat is taking on water!!! Please help!!!

David56

Cadet
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
10


Ok here's the deal, I bought a 1979 ranger 168v. It def needed some cosmetic work(seats,carpet,) but when I bought it, the motor ran great.. Used it for a year and motors cylinder 3 piston ring shattered, ugh. Put a black max 175 on it, got it going and runs great, with 150psi on all 6 cylinders. Started noticing water in the back by the batteries, the drain plug was in it, always check that. Tool the boat home, put the plug in it, and started filling water up in the boat to check for leaks. Then it happened.... Water started leaking on the bottom point in a few spots, not pouring out, but for sure leaking. Looked and seen where awhile back someone put some fiberglass resin and sheets to patch it. I bought some marine Tex, heard that was the best? What is the best procedure on patching these spots?? I don't wanna have to keep fixing the cracks, I just wanna fish and not have to use my bildge pump, lol. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,097
Re: Boat is taking on water!!! Please help!!!

What is the best procedure on patching these spots??

Ayuh,.... What spots,..?? Got pictures,..??
 

westexasrepublic

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 17, 2009
Messages
524
Re: Boat is taking on water!!! Please help!!!

What is the best procedure on patching these spots??

pull the cap and remove the deck.

or if you know where the crack is and its small cut out an access panel in the deck and repair then replace cut out and repair it.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Boat is taking on water!!! Please help!!!

yeah.....i agree......there aint no easy way out of a keel repair.

you can do some grinding and lay new glass on the outside of the keel then smear some structural type peanut butter on it to fair it ....then just paint gellcoat on it......but its still gonna leak in a season...

you really gotta rip out the deck and do an inside out repair bud.....or....buy another boat !
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Boat is taking on water!!! Please help!!!

Take it apart, its probably all rotted anyway.
 

David56

Cadet
Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
10
Re: Boat is taking on water!!! Please help!!!

Ayuh,.... What spots,..?? Got pictures,..??

I'll get a picture soon. and no, its not rotted all the way through. You can't even see that there is a hairline crack by looking at it. Water doesn't pour in. It just started doing it. I was wondering if fiberglass sheets and resin would work better than marine tex. I heard that tex does wonders for a boat
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
Re: Boat is taking on water!!! Please help!!!

Welcome to iBoats!
David, how familiar are you with boat construction? From what you are saying it sounds as if the boat has had a major collision with an underwater object and caused structural damage to the hull to such and extent that water is able to enter the hull. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but marine tex is NOT going to be able to fix your problem and neither is "fiberglass sheets" This is going to require INTERNAL repair and this is NOT a quick and easy repair. I know you DON'T want to believe or hear this but IMHO it is the correct analysis. Without pictures it IS hard to absolutely certain but your description leads me to believe that this IS what will be required for your boat.

I'm just sayin...:D
 

Gypsystar17

Cadet
Joined
Apr 10, 2010
Messages
24
Re: Boat is taking on water!!! Please help!!!

Mine was leaking at keel,someone had patched it from outside.did a complete rebuild this summer,when I removed floor,foam and stringers I found a crack in keel where the patch was.so I repaired it from the inside with roving and csm.no more leaks.The only way to fix it properly is from the inside.
 
Top