Leak in Hull

[Hermyboy3000]

I've had a leak problem in my garboard since I bought the boat. I have just gotten tired of constantly having to pump out the water by hand, and a pump I bought to help me with this leak recently failed. So, I figured I should just get to the root of the problem. Here's my dilemma the water gets in but doesn't come out, what I mean is that the water that came in doesn't leak out. I've inspected most of my hull for cracks, and patched where necessary. The only areas I can't see or fix are blocked by the bunks. I doubt I have cracks around the bunks, because after a few days they are dry, but there is still water in hull.
Is it possible that I have micro cracks that I can't see and take in water due to the pressure of being immersed in water?

Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Leak in Hull

what kind of boat? picture would surely help. bunks are on trailer, we apparently have a terminology problem.

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Leak in Hull

I mention the bunks because if water were leaking out of the hull in an area that I was unable to inspect (bunks in the way) you'd have to think that the bunks would get wet from water leaking out of the hull and onto the bunks.

I hope that clarifies things bit. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Leak in Hull

BTW, the boat is a 1970 Geneva I don't know what model, but it's a 16.5' fiberglass runabout with an I/O Volvo AQ 130.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Leak in Hull

check your bellows, and all outdrive connections, # 1 place for an I/O to leak. #2 place is the joint under the rub rail, where the top cap and the hull are joined. when getting out of the hole, and sharp turns water gets pushed up there, if the seal is bad, water will come in. had this on my 1999 Chris Craft.

 

[DutchMerc]

Re: Leak in Hull

I don't know how long you own the boat now, and i don't know why the previous owner sold it (maybe i do have an idea...) but if this leaking is going on for some time, you might need to check the woodwork under the deck...

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Leak in Hull

Dutch,

Agreed! The one saving grace, is the exceptional quality of this old boat. I installed a new garboard plug a few days ago and I was feeling around under the deck and noticed that they actually "glassed" under the deck! I know, that the wood could still be a concern, but thus far there are no soft spots. Knock on wood! HA! Pun totally intended!

Anyway, I think my water intrusion was occurring through the old garboard hole that the previous owner plugged with a screw and silicone (many types of silicone). I cut a new larger hole in it's place and installed a new brass plug.

BTW, when I removed the old screw/silicone "plug" tons of water poured out!
No Joke, water POURED out for about 45 minutes straight! Then it pee'd out for about another 20 minutes and then dripped for several hours! I waited a day before installing the new plug just to make sure all the water was out.

 

[Randybeall]

Re: Leak in Hull

I hope they did a really good job of glassing in under the deck. With as much water as you describe there is a chance that the wood of the stringers has dissolved and you have hollow fiber glass tubes down there. Perhaps a bilge pump installation would be a good thought for this boat? Back where it could get out that water which you drained.

 

[wvit1001]

Re: Leak in Hull

garboard - the first wale laid next to the keel of a wooden ship.

Are you talking about the drain plug at the back of the boat?

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Leak in Hull

wvit: Yes it's the drain just below the bilge drain.


Does anyone know the best way to check stringers without having to cut up the floor of my boat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Leak in Hull

take a 2 inch hole saw that goes in a drill, cut some exploratory holes, save the plugs. now take a 3/4 or 1 inch piece of pvc, cut some notches in one end, like saw teeth, now twist this down into the foam. then push the core out, you will immediately know if it is wet. if it is you have rotted or very soon to be rotted stringers. if all is dry, use some 3m-5200 and reinsert the plugs.

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: Leak in Hull

With that much water coming out
I'd be concerned about the foam as well
It may be saturated

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Leak in Hull

TD, thanks for the tip, I'll do that.

I was searching the web for "stringer repair" and I came across "CPES" @ www.rotdoctor.com have any of your used this product? Or is this the wrong way to go about a repair?