Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

[AaronR]

I have a 16' aluminum Lowe that I want to put in my boat slip at my house. Before when I would leave it in the water for a few days it would have about 1.5" of water in the back of the boat, I looked and couldn't find the leak in it. I plan on coating it with gluvit this winter when I repaint it but I wanted to use it for the rest of the summer.

If I install an automatic bilge pump in it will it be alright? I'll be down using it every other day for fishing and cruising so it won't be left unattended for long periods of time.

 

[mtrainTurbo]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

"My boat is slowly sinking. Is it okay to leave it in the water for a couple of days, occasionally unattended?"

I'm not sayin'. I'm just sayin'....

 

[Thad]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

The funny thing about holes is that they never get smaller. Where I would not be overly concerned with a minimal amount of water, I WOULD want to know where it was getting in at.

Is the boat on the trailer now? Set the trailer level and put some water in her. See if you can find it coming out. I would guess loose rivet maybe.

Once you locate the area of concern, address it. I would want that fixed before I did anyhing else to the boat.

But, back to the original question. I would probably leave it on the water at my house knowing that I could check on it and be there to monitor the situation regularly.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Matty is that you from BOC ??.

Aaron, I wouldn't put in a leaking boat that would ruin your day !!.
Coming back to a sunk boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

should be OK but keep in mind your motor is at risk. Is there a way to tie spring lines so it won't flip or sink all the way?

In addition to rivets, examine the corners and around the plug; you sometimes get leaks there. Also if you get water while running, could be an openhole somewhere above the water line.

The trailer test is a good idea but there is more water pressure coming in than out so it might not work.

Here's your risk: accumulate 1.5", maybe a little more if it gets worse.
Get a big rainstorm.
Get delayed going to check on it due to family or work stuff
Water causes transom to drop too low plus a little wave action.
glug glug glug

Of course if your pump/float works perfectly you have no worries. But anything on a boat can go wrong.

Hope you sleep well!

 

[AaronR]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

The funny thing about holes is that they never get smaller. Where I would not be overly concerned with a minimal amount of water, I WOULD want to know where it was getting in at.

Is the boat on the trailer now? Set the trailer level and put some water in her. See if you can find it coming out. I would guess loose rivet maybe.

Once you locate the area of concern, address it. I would want that fixed before I did anyhing else to the boat.

But, back to the original question. I would probably leave it on the water at my house knowing that I could check on it and be there to monitor the situation regularly.

I filled it nearly to the seats with water and let it sit, I had found a spot that would drip every 15 or so minutes, it was in a dent where a rock had hit the bow. I patched it and saw no more leaks but it still slowly took on water, I would say about 1 gallon in 3 days.

What is the next best way to find the leak and the least expensive way to repair it temporarily? Like I said, I plan to repaint it and pretty much restore it over the winter, I felt like with an automatic bilge pump I would be okay but I wasn't sure of the reliability of the automatic switches.

Thanks for the fast reply

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

I felt like with an automatic bilge pump I would be okay

Aaron, Sorry I didn't see that part. :redface:
As long as the battery stays good you'll be fine.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Aaron, Sorry I didn't see that part. :redface:
As long as the battery stays good you'll be fine.

Nope. A blown fuse and it's "glub, glub."

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Bob, What are the chances that will happen in 2 days ??.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

my old 1957 LoneStar ElDorado 18ft has a few loose/missing rivets- If you have a good bilge pump - Mine is electronic-and a battery I would not worry too much- as long as you check on daily.
Once I forgot to leave the bilge pump on and it filled with about a foot of water-lucky the battery, motor, oil& gas mounted high- the dock lines kept it from going lower- flipped on the bilge and it pumped out in about an hour & half.

 

[AaronR]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Bob, What are the chances that will happen in 2 days ??.

That was my opinion also, I mostly just wanted reassurance. I cant imagine the leak growing large enough, fast enough that it would sink in just a couple days.

When my father borrowed it and forgot to tighten the plug down it filled up but still didn't sink haha.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[TiredoleBoy]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

I thought many of the aluminum boats have a foam installed at areas to prevent it from fully sinking?

 

[AaronR]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Mine has foam underneath the aluminum bench seats, I think that's as far as it will sink.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Aaron, Go have fun fishing and don't worry about it .

 

[AaronR]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Aaron, Go have fun fishing and don't worry about it .

My plan exactly, hopefully will have pictures of a huuuugggeee catfish and some bass to post up soon.

 

[itsneverfinished]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Is it insured? If it is, and it sinks, - new boat time!!

 

[bajabuddy]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

Filling the boat up with water will not find the leak. It has to be sitting on the water, has to do with the whole osmotic pressure thing. The pressure pushing against the hole from the bottom is totally different than the pressure of just filling the boat with water. My plan would be to put it in the water and use it. Keep an eye for areas of wet spots. If there is a good leak you should find it fairly quick. Just look for it. If it is slow, that is a chance you are taking coming back in 2 days to a sunken boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

as to floatation;;the boat will float and if it's perfectly calm will stay upright, but the least little pressure (including you getting in or trying to bail) and it will roll--still floating, but upside down. BTDT.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

As for finding the leak, can you get the boat perfectly dry (stored inside for a few days), then put it back in the water. Dust talc powder (baby powder) around the seams and other suspect areas, grab a cold one and watch for a wet spot. I don't know for sure that this would work on a boat, but I have done it several times on motors to find a hard to spot oil leak. Besides, it's a good excuse to spend time on the boat relaxing - "No honey, the guy said I HAVE to sit her and watch it for a leak!"

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Slow leak, will it be alright in my boat slip?

lol

My car is leaking gas. Is it ok to leave it in the garage and if no, why not?

Same thing on a larger scale. I wouldn't do it...