Leak from chipped hull?

[ryanr623]

On saturday I was heading out onto the great, ever changing, shallow western basin of erie. I hit a sandbar that wasn't there last week. Didn't do much damage to the prop at all, or skeg.

We stayed out about 7 hours and came in. At which point i pulled the plug and about 5 gallons of water poured out. Normally it is bone dry. I checked the bellow and they look fine, the only thing i did notice is that there was a quarter sized chip that must've happened when i hit the sandbar.... better that then the outdrive i suppose. You can see the stringy type fiberglass coming out of it. it doesn't appear to go all the way through.... can it still leak water into the boat?

Any other ideas for what i could check for after hitting the sandbar? No cracks in the outdrive.

 

[AndrewsArk]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

I have a couple of small chips like this in my gelcoat and don't leak at all.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

I have a couple of small chips like this in my gelcoat and don't leak at all.

I din't figure so. I should also mention that i checked the transom shield, and there's no separation from the transom, so thats good.

 

[joed]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

Are you sure it's just a chip and not a crack where the edge chipped off? Unless you hit a rock I don't see a sandbar chipping the paint.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

Are you sure it's just a chip and not a crack where the edge chipped off? Unless you hit a rock I don't see a sandbar chipping the paint.

It was a pretty nice thump when i hit it, enough to throw us forward. It definitely hit the back end of the boat and not the drive. Eries mostly sandy/rocky, so the drive must've went through the sand a little and the boat took the brunt of it. I will inspect it closely. If there is a crack is my transom shot? Regal is a top of the line boat, but im not sure if they did non wood transoms in the 90's.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

It was a pretty nice thump when i hit it, enough to throw us forward. It definitely hit the back end of the boat and not the drive. Eries mostly sandy/rocky, so the drive must've went through the sand a little and the boat took the brunt of it. I will inspect it closely. If there is a crack is my transom shot? Regal is a top of the line boat, but im not sure if they did non wood transoms in the 90's.

Also, if there is no crack, what besides the bellows should i be checking out?

 

[seabob4]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

I'd suggest putting the boat in the water and then getting your head down into below decks spaces to see if you can get a visual on the leak source. If nothing shows up, i.e. no water entering the bilge from any forward areas, get a buddy to go with you and run the boat with the engine hatch open, so you can get a good look at the transom plate as well as the bilge...he drives, you watch.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

I'd suggest putting the boat in the water and then getting your head down into below decks spaces to see if you can get a visual on the leak source. If nothing shows up, i.e. no water entering the bilge from any forward areas, get a buddy to go with you and run the boat with the engine hatch open, so you can get a good look at the transom plate as well as the bilge...he drives, you watch.

Yeah I figure I'll scan the bottom with a fine tooth comb, inspect the bellows with a fashlight, then put her in the water. If nothing shows up I'll fill it with water and see what happens.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

with a specific chip liek that, try water in the boat, on trailer, and look for leaking out. However you don;t have the water pressure.

First thing is get your bilge pump's float switch working again. 5 gallons is a lot.

 

[oops!]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

nope......i aint buying it..........between the glass and the bilge is usually foam....this foam will not allow water to seep, gush. pour in. 5 gallons is to much....i am guessing you have a hose off or a crack in the block, or other issue.....a small chip wont do 5 gallons.

post a pic

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

nope......i aint buying it..........between the glass and the bilge is usually foam....this foam will not allow water to seep, gush. pour in. 5 gallons is to much....i am guessing you have a hose off or a crack in the block, or other issue.....a small chip wont do 5 gallons.

post a pic

I don't even think it is through the fiberglass, but im gonna check with an awl to be sure. I didn't check under the boat for chips/cracks very good yet either. I'm going to the boat tomorrow, i will post pics.

I doubt it is the block, it only started after i hit the sandbar, blocks usually dont just crack on their own.... Suppose I could check the oil just to be sure.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

Im now beginning to think. Before heading home, the boat was beached on an island for about 5 hours under heavy 2-3 foot waves. Its a small boat (17 foot), i wonder if water was getting in there by way of my vents on the side of the boat, bilge pump hole, or even under the rub rail. It was the first time I ever beached the boat.

I suppose i shouldn't assume that hitting the sandbar caused it. I'll just have to put her in the water on the trailer and see if anything leaks. If not turn the engine on and see if a hose is disconnected.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

fix the bilge pump float switch first

when you have waves, don't beach stern out.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

fix the bilge pump float switch first

when you have waves, don't beach stern out.

You should say ADD a bilge pump switch. I dont dock it, but after this im gonna add one. I feel like an idiot, I never thought of water entering this way. So you suggest i just dont beach her when its wavy? The anchor wasn't holding because it was so wavy. (already bought new anchor)

 

[j_martin]

Re: Leak from chipped hull?

I've had a relatively small chip cause a slow leak through the lightly laid up fiberglass. If I ever split my boat and clean it up, it's going to get a layer of 6 oz. woven and epoxy on the inside after it's sanded smooth just to waterproof it against gel coat chips.