My boat! More problems ;(

y2jericho

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2002
Messages
146
The floor in my boat seems rock solid. I have minor osmosis problem in 2 places which has seemed to stop. The problem i have is when i go to the fish tank at the back of the boat (the hole in the floor in the shape of a sqaure where the drain hole is on the bottom middle of it. Opposite the drain hole is another plug that goes into the air chambers of the boat (i think thats what it is called). Anyway When i opened the plug all this water came out from there. Is this normal for water to build up in hte hull? So in return i drilled a 5cm diameter hole above the plug on the floor not inside the fish tank so i can look down directly into the hull also to let the hull dry quicker (as its really wet. The boat seems to be rock solid though there seems to be minimal amounts of rot inside the hull. Im htinking of installing a big plug in this area so if by any chance water builds up in there agian i can always open it to check or for whatever other reasons. <br /><br />Is this a good idea?<br /><br />But my main question is why does water build up in the hull? it usually happens after i hose down the inside of my boat a little after working on it (drilling holes etc.)?<br /><br />Should i hose out the hull clean so it gets all the dirt out into the fish tank and then fill up the hull with like 10l of coolant?<br /><br />Im stumped!<br /><br />;( I opened up the drain hole for the hull inside the fish tank and tried to make it dry but it didn't help it even at 40ºc. But now from drilling the hole up top it seems to be drying out rapidly! <br /><br />any help thanks
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: My boat! More problems ;(

y2,<br /><br />You should not be getting water into that area.<br /><br />It can only get there a couple of ways.<br /><br />1. You have a hole in the hull.<br /><br />2. Your deck (floor) is leaking water into the bilge.<br /><br />3. Is your fishbox a livewell? If so, the connnections for water recirc. may be leaking.<br /><br />I would take a very close look at anything that protrudes through the floor-screws, bolts, etc.
 

y2jericho

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2002
Messages
146
Re: My boat! More problems ;(

Hmm Im thinking of making one of these hatches now! Kinda like an inspection hole in the home.. Very nice idea i was thinking of doing it for a while. Anyone got any designs for these hatches so there waterproof or anything?<br /><br />You guys have been a great load of help ;D and can't thank you enough
 

Jack Shellac

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Messages
1,661
Re: My boat! More problems ;(

Concealed Compartments is an excellent article. I wish all boat builders would heed the advice. Over the years, I have been convinced that there is no such thing as "waterproof" when it comes to boats. You HAVE to have a way to drain water out. Some fiberglass decks are very porous and allow water to seep through, even though they appear to be solid. The article points out the best ways to keep your boat hull long-lived. Thanks for reference.
 

azboatman

Cadet
Joined
Dec 28, 2002
Messages
19
Re: My boat! More problems ;(

I'm assuming you checked to see if you have any water leaking out of your boat when you trailer it. you know, any water pick-ups, thru hull fittings, etc. make sure you don't have any holes where your boat sits on the bunks or rollers on the trailer. if all is well in the hull, you can check the interior flooring for seepage by washing your floor down with soapy water (very diluted) and then putting air pressure into the hole you drilled. it will take very little pressure to cause any holes to start foaming
 
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