Drainage hole questions. Please help.

[DocTide]

I want to drill a small hole in the bottom of the hull by the transom to try and drain out some water thats in there. Not sure the best way to get this done. I dont want anything too huge, so whats a good size, and location for me to do this? Also, how would I go about patching this up? Would I need fiberglass for such a small hole? Or is there a type of epoxy putty or something out there that would suffice? If this is a bad idea please let me know, Im sure there is a little water in the hull, and Id like to get it out. Its a 14' McKee and I think most of the water got in through the foam pouring hole on the front of the boat as the last owner kept it outside and some vapor and rain got in for sure.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Drainage hole questions. Please help.

I'm not familar with that particlular boat, but is there not a factory drain hole already there. Its a bit odd not to have a way of draining a hull.

 

[DocTide]

Re: Drainage hole questions. Please help.

There is a drainage for the hull, but I am talking about the water that is potentially inside the hull. There is no bildge pump or bilge pump area on the boat, or if there is; the previous owner covered it up.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Drainage hole questions. Please help.

If there's water trapped inside the hull walls it's unlikely you'll be able to dry it out. Imagine taking a wet sponge, wrapping it in plastic and making a small hole in one corner. No matter how long you wait, the sponge will never dry out.

You'll need to tear apart the boat and restore it if you have wet wood behind the fibreglass.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Drainage hole questions. Please help.

There is a drainage for the hull, but I am talking about the water that is potentially inside the hull. There is no bildge pump or bilge pump area on the boat, or if there is; the previous owner covered it up.

Hmmm, some pictures are in order here. Need to see the back of the transom and as much of the inside as you can. We don't give up easily here.

 

[DocTide]

Re: Drainage hole questions. Please help.

View attachment 111227View attachment 111228

Here some pics. Only ones I have atm, so none of the transom yet, will get em up later tonight when Im at the boat. The black box is a soft spot in the first pic, the second pic is the front of the boat where the hole for the foam is. Its damp in there, very damp to the touch. This boat has no wood from what I was told, no stringers. Just foam. Transom feels solid though. I dont really want to dry it out, but more just get rid of any water thats simply sitting in there... Bad idea? Hope some of these pics help, if not I will get more up ASAP.

 

[DocTide]

Re: Drainage hole questions. Please help.

Also, this boat has no stringers, if I find the foam is super water logged and decide to take it out, would I have to add a stringer? Or could I just replace the foam and seal it up on the deck like that?

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Drainage hole questions. Please help.

Pictures didn't work...