Still taking on water...

[wildways1976]

Well we put the boat in the water today, it ran real good ecxept the hub in the prop was bad... We were probably out for an hour. When we has figured the prop was shot we decided to take it out of the water. When we pulled the plugs there was an insane amount of water coming out of the hull... This boat is a 1973 Chrysler (? Model) it has two plugs one in the middle of the hull at the bottom and another at the left of the hull. We had both plugged and dont see any visible cracks in the hull. When he first got the boat it had a pretty sizable area on and around the keel that had been repaired, we the went on and cleaned the area up and layed more fiberglass over the same area to ensure it was covered. Now my question is does the fiberglass have its own seal or do we need to add a sealer after it has set up??? I'm not much of a body man but everything we have done so far has been on a budget....​

 

[john from md]

Re: Still taking on water...

Do you have a swim ladder or a transducer for a fishfinder? Some times these throw roostertails against the transom and water finds its way into the bilge.

John

 

[wickware]

Re: Still taking on water...

I have added some very low PSI air pressure to my hull when this was driving me crazy and soap tested any suspected areas. The floor inside the boat is what I finally concluded might have allowed the less than 1/2 gallon per month or so from fishing or rain. During my frustration I was told that "all boats leak" and that I needed a bilge pump. I packed a bilge pump for about 10 0f 25 years "so far" and never had enough water to use it.

Recently, I found and repaired excessive transom water damage and realized the transom was not designed sealed vs two parts under Al trim on my 1968 Ray Craft. This work showed too many seams, port-holes and engine mount holes that could leak if not sealed.

Finally, If fiberglass is applied to a good prepped surface and a jell coat covers the area, It's Sealed!!

Good Luck!
Joe

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Still taking on water...

If the trailer has bunks, lookunder them.