half-hitch
Recruit
- Joined
- May 1, 2008
- Messages
- 1
Hi folks. I'm new to this forum so please forgive any apparent ignorance. From what I've seen looking through some of the threads/posts, this is the place to be for intelligent answers to my questions.
I've got a '95 Glastron family runabout I/O. I just finished putting in a new floor due to rot around the drivers seat pedastal. I had to pull all the seats and side panels, tear up the carpet and floor, then I laid new ply, glassed it and recarpeted. Re-installed the seats and launched for the first time this season.
After a few minutes I noticed water in the bilge. Checked the engine for leaks, etc. found none. I had my local boat mechanic check things out. He couldn't find any apparent leaks while in the water, so he pulled it out, let it dry and filled the bilge with water. It appears that the transom had been previously repaired around the garboard drain plug (which I had never really noticed before). There are stress cracks in the gelcoat at the top (far above water line), which I've never worred about. It seems the leaks are primarily around the drain plug and the cut-out where the engine connects with the out-drive.
Obviously I'm not happy with the news, especially since our boating season out here in Colorado is just getting under way and my family's chompin' at the bit to get on the water. I just want to make sure we stay on it, not in it....
Any suggestions for making it through the 5 month season as is? The mechanic is going to try and tighten any bolts he can get at from inside, but not sure how many he can reach with the engine in the way. I've also thought about trying to silicone around the outside of the outdrive, but not sure if it's worth it.
If I can make it through the season, I'll pull the engine next winter and rebuild the transom the right way. I just would like to get some boating in this year, but above all, make sure my family is safe taking the boat out.
Open to any suggestions.
I've got a '95 Glastron family runabout I/O. I just finished putting in a new floor due to rot around the drivers seat pedastal. I had to pull all the seats and side panels, tear up the carpet and floor, then I laid new ply, glassed it and recarpeted. Re-installed the seats and launched for the first time this season.
After a few minutes I noticed water in the bilge. Checked the engine for leaks, etc. found none. I had my local boat mechanic check things out. He couldn't find any apparent leaks while in the water, so he pulled it out, let it dry and filled the bilge with water. It appears that the transom had been previously repaired around the garboard drain plug (which I had never really noticed before). There are stress cracks in the gelcoat at the top (far above water line), which I've never worred about. It seems the leaks are primarily around the drain plug and the cut-out where the engine connects with the out-drive.
Obviously I'm not happy with the news, especially since our boating season out here in Colorado is just getting under way and my family's chompin' at the bit to get on the water. I just want to make sure we stay on it, not in it....
Any suggestions for making it through the 5 month season as is? The mechanic is going to try and tighten any bolts he can get at from inside, but not sure how many he can reach with the engine in the way. I've also thought about trying to silicone around the outside of the outdrive, but not sure if it's worth it.
If I can make it through the season, I'll pull the engine next winter and rebuild the transom the right way. I just would like to get some boating in this year, but above all, make sure my family is safe taking the boat out.
Open to any suggestions.
