Starcraft bow leak

[linxlvr]

I have a starcraft (1986?) 16' aluminum deep vee that leaks quite a bit. the seam in front seems to leak, as water comes out from behind the "fishplate" piece of aluminum that joins the seam at the bow down to the keel.

When I had the front floor out, this is what I found. Is this "goop" factory or was someone in here before I bought it?

How do I fix a seam leak? I see many references to gluvit, is that what I would use here?

Thanks for any advice. I am totally new to this kind of repair.
--
dw

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

I doubt that is factory (I have never seen that goop) and yes someone had beat you to it........

Strip that crap out and clean it up. It even looks like the seam's are leaking (from the streaking I can see).

Before you invest in the gluvit you need to check the exterior of the hull and keel. Is it smashed, dented, cracked, holes worn in it, rivets maybe missing? You need to check it carefully and you might be repairing more than a slight leak.

Gluvit works best about 60 degrees. I would do the inside and the outside. Remember it "flows" and creeps so only use a small amount at a time. Might be time to check all the rivets and get all the repairs out of the way.

 

[jspano]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

i am by no means an expert here, but the first things i'ld do
clean up that "goop" any way i could
check the rivets see if they need to be tightened up if loose
try to tilt the hull to apply gluvits so it will not run down
if that solves the leak
i MIGHT look at doing something to that area like some kind of
pitch or epoxy resin and cloth to push in there. hopefully some one else will chime in

 

[sling]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

looks factory to me

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

Looks similar to mine but sloppier. If it is original it could be tough to get it out. I poked and scratched at it and decided to leave it and gluvit over top. I might go with a higher temp for the gluvit, it will flow better into any voids you might have, and two thin applications are what manufacturer suggests.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

It is factory. Just about all of us have it.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2252.jpg

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

I've got the same goop in my '79 SS and I'm not going to touch it, except for slapping some gluvit on top of it for good measure.

 

[erikpn]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

I have it too, under an original deck. It's factory. I removed most of it and gluvited over it.

 

[sprintst]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

Ditto. Gluvit on the interior bow and I filled the viods on the exterior of that bow plate with epoxy before painting.

 

[backlashed]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

My 73 has the same goop. It looks like its been there forever, so I'm not even gonna touch it.

 

[linxlvr]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

TY one and all for your helpful answers. I ordered Gluvit today. I'll let you all now how I made out when the time comes.

Thanks again.
--
dw

 

[linxlvr]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

Just for completeness, I thought I would finish off with saying thanks to everyone here. The Gluvit worked like a charm. Two long trips out and not even a reason to pull the plug when leaving the ramp. This is what it looked like when done, the outside hull pic has an arrow where the leak was of course.
Thanks again all.
--
dw

 

[lakelover]

Re: Starcraft bow leak

I've got the goop.

I wondered the same thing when I saw mine, but then read somewhere that it was factory applied.