Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

[Bob_VT]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

Bob, the procraft that broke in half, was it a bass boat, fish and ski? What year? What happened when it broke in half, was everyone okay?

Bassboat w/150 hung on the back....... rough water (choppy) at WOT............. split the hull from stem to stern with a space down the keel wide enough to slip your fingers into. My fishing buddy and I did not find the split until it was on the trailer but it handled like a wet noodle.

The boat was less then 1 year old and after a huge battle Procraft replaced the boat with a new one which was then traded in the next week for a Ranger.

 

[jasonorlando]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

On my boat, all the years of puling it onto the trailer from the bow hook, caused a major leak there. I did not find it until I was removing all stringers and floor to replace... That would be a point where it only leaks while boat is at "rest"....

 

[brianwrites]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

When I was on the Lake Friday, I noticed there was a small rip in the carpet on one of the trailer bunkers and I wonder if there's a crack or gash in the hull that's being hidden by the bunkers when the boat is out of the water. Is there a way to check this besides taking it back to the lake and swimming under the boat with a scuba mask or finding a boat lift. A friend of mine suggested hoisting it up with an engine hoist which sounds incredibly bad, unsafe and all around impossible. Any thoughts. I've got the fiber glass repair kits, 5200 and will drill into the stringers and foam today. I'll keep you posted and post pics.

 

[brianwrites]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

Drilled the stringers, didn't find any rot. Drilled the foam, didn't find any soaked. However, I drilled a 2" hole right over the hole I drilled for the toggle bolts I was using to secure the captain's chair and noticed a piece of carpet in the bottom and thought "That's odd. I drilled so fast, the carpet from the deck drilled into the hole." I spent about 30 min trying to pull the carpet out of the hole. Then like a movie flashback, I remembered, torn carpet on the trailer, theory about hole under the bunker. I then noticed the carpet I was pulling out didn't match the deck carpet. It matched ...dun, dun, dun! The bunker carpet. So yes I drilled a hole in the boat, now I have two holes...Make that three because while drilling the stringers...you guessed it. I put another hole in the boat. I took a closer survey of the hull and noticed several rough spots and pin holes I missed during the pre-purchase inspection. So here's the plan, fill and fiberglass all the holes and rough spots, put on a new gel coat over those areas and take it out the lake, let it sit at rest for 30 min, check for leaks and water accumulation. If there is none, take it for a test drive and check for leaks again. How does that sound? Is there a better plan...besides taking up knitting as a hobby?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

To check for leaks at the transom, Strap the boat down to the trailler so it can't float off, then go to the ramp (When it's not busy so people won't get mad) and set the trailer in the water so the transom is fully under but not coming over the splash well. SET THE PARKING BRAEK!!! Get out and get in the boat and set there and see if any water is coming in from any where. Then pull her back out, Unstrap her and launch her to do the float test.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

Sorry to hear you drilled thru the hull.... I did say to drill in 1/2" deep....... Anyway glad to see you have no water soaked below deck... Fix all your pin holes and drill holes and set her back in the water like WOG suggested and see if you stopped the leaks.... Keep us posted....

 

[brianwrites]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

I could only get the drill into the rod locker at an angle and I was trying to drill close to the bottom of the stringer since it rots from the bottom up. Do you suggest filling the drill holes with 5200 until it comes out of the bottom of the boat or should I used wood filler or something else and seal the bottom of the hole with 5200 from the outside of the hull? Thanks for all the advice.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

The best thing to do is mix up some peanut butter (polyester resin cabosil and milled fiberglass fibers) and force it into the holes till it comes out the bottom of the hull.... once it starts coming out wipe it off and put some duct tape over it...when it cures 15-20 minutes...pull the tape clean with acetone and touch up with gelcoat...

 

[brianwrites]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

Found the leak. Took off the transducer that I mounted. Requires three bolts. I found five holes. Plugged all the other holes on the boat. Now I plan plug the transducer holes then adhere a piece of starboard over that area and remount the transducer to the starboard. Should be bone dry at that point. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[oops!]

Re: Can't find source of leak, is water coming in through keel?

i thought i repllied to this one a while back?????

glad you found more leaks......finding them is a good thing.

if you fill with the thickened resin.....lay a patch of chopped strand matt over the filler. make sure you are putting the csm over glass and not gell coat.