leak in my boat

[revertmastec]

Hello everyone,<br /><br /> When I have my boat in the water for a while I have what i feel to be an excessive amount of water that comes out of the drain plug when I remove it.( I would guess might be about 3-4 gallons) I am assuming that there must be a crack in the fiberglass hull somewhere. Does anyone have a way to test for cracks or some way to find out how the water is getting in there?

 

[DJ]

Re: leak in my boat

revertmastic,<br /><br />Just reverse the process. Put the plug in and put some water in the boat with the hose and look for water leaking out of the hull.<br /><br />You might have to put quite a bit in to simulate the weight of the boat.

 

[lepper]

Re: leak in my boat

Howdy, I use to haev that same problem with a glass boat I use to have. I reversed the process and put the plug in and filled it full of water and watch, Nothing. nothing at all. But then when it was draining and wasn't all the way empty. I decided to get in and do something, Then it started to leak and was able to find the hole and patch it easily. So, if you do fill it up, you might want to put some weight in the boat other wise the whole might not be open to leak for you.<br />dave

 

[oldboat1]

Re: leak in my boat

I'll second djohns' advice -- but it may be that there is water up in there somewhere that isn't being drained out when you attempt to do so. After you run the boat, the water finds its way back to the stern. You might try tilting the boat on its trailer at a steeper angle. Additionally, you may find that the flotation material in the boat has become waterlogged. If that is the case, you may need to open up the flooring and dry out the hull. The water may be coming in from the top, and is just difficult to get rid of.

 

[Franki]

Re: leak in my boat

if its a slow leak,, it may help if you put some color in the water that you put in the boat...<br /><br />but don't use dye, you might stain your boat...<br /><br />you might try adding red cordial to the water..<br /><br />you only need enough to see where its leaking from.. so you wouldn't need much.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[blifsey]

Re: leak in my boat

Also, do you have livewell(s)? If so, check the hoses and thru-hulls real good. Mine had a crack in the overflow and instead of overflowing out the thru-hull was flowing into bilge. Found it by using hose at home to fill the livewells.<br /><br />BL...

 

[dhammann]

Re: leak in my boat

Check the boat after being tied to the dock for a few hours. Some boats take on a little water when in use on rough water. Water can enter through the bilge pump hull outlet in rough water if the pump is not running. If this is the case you can eliminate it by routing the bilge hose so it is elevated above the worst case waterline level. Also, if you have skiers or swimmers getting in and out of your boat you'll be suprised how much water that can create. Even fishing can add water(except for me,I hardly get a bite!)

 

[altjimwilson]

Re: leak in my boat

How old is the boat? If old (10+ years) check the transom for rot. To do this, pull up on the lower unit as hard as you can, then push down (or stand and bounce on it). While doing this, see the the lower unit pulls away from the transon at all - is should not move a fraction! Also, if you see water drip out around the lower unit transom hole when you do this, then that could be another indication of a transon rot problem.<br /><br />That's worst case, heres wome other things to check for:<br /><br />Make sure all of your hose are good, tight and not leaking. Are the petcocks closed tight after last years winterizing? Check your bellows for cracks. Make sure any holes in the transom (for transducer, speed-o cable, etc.) are sealed. If none of that seems to be a problem, the shift boot for you shift cable could be leaking.<br /><br />Good luck,

 

[SCO]

Re: leak in my boat

One more possibility that I had, depends on your boat's design. At the seam where the topside connects to the hull, I was getting water from there while running.

 

[revertmastec]

Re: leak in my boat

Thanks for all the reply's. Filled the hull with a hose. Ran it for a good 10-15min. No signs of any leaks got in the boat and walked around. I do have alot of swimmers and tubers so mayby the water is getting in from them and some rough water coming over the back. I'll just have to keep an eye on it. I guess for it being 14 years old I would expect some water getting in there.

 

[suzukidave]

Re: leak in my boat

If you figure it out tell me how. I've got a similar problem -- water collects inside a covered bilge channel down the centre of the boat between two sealed stringers so you'd think i could narrow down the source. Can't find the problem from exterior hull inspection or loading water inside. Thought it was maybe leaking around the rub rail/hull/deck seal, replaced it and it kept right on leaking. Amount of leak seems to vary for no apparent reason but generally more water in rough weather and more water towards the end of the season. Might get a gallon or two in there after running on a rough day. Water is always clear so I don't think it's leaking out of the foam. Also this part of the bilge is separated from the transom by a bulkhead so it's not from the transom either. Go figure.

 

[DJ]

Re: leak in my boat

revertmastic,<br /><br />You would be surprised how much water swimmers can haul into a boat.

 

[blifsey]

Re: leak in my boat

Perhaps try this...1) after stopping for a swim, check bilge for water. 2) do all your swimming 3) Check bilge again. I did this last summer and as djohn19 said, A LOT of water comes from the swimming, especially my kids climbing up ladder, jumping in water over and over. I also did same check once when we stopped to fish a nice looking spot (no swimmers bringing in water) and it was dry. I've noticed that when my brother-in-law and I fish, hardly no water drains when I pull plug. But after a "family" outing including tubing/swimming there is always water to drain out.<br /><br />BL...