This may be stupid.

[nocko]

I'm in the process of refurbishing an old (1950's) aluminum V-bottom. I'm in the stripping down stage, and I'm curious about checking for leaks. As I'm told, this boat has a few weepy rivets. Would filling the boat with water reveal these leaks? It's not exactly mobile as of now, so I can't really let it sit in the water. I just don't know if there would be enough pressure to reveal all leaky spots this way.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: This may be stupid.

Filling the boat with water will probably put more pressure on the seams than they would experience just sitting in the water. Probably want to make sure the boat is well supported. Water weighs about 8lbs a gallon and there is about 8 gallons in a cubic foot of water. Do the math.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: This may be stupid.

Welcome, Nocko! <br /><br />Boomyals numbers (almost) work for water in a container, as in “how much does my container full of water weigh?”<br /><br />As far as the pressure water exerts you can use 1/2 psi per foot of water column. Doesn’t matter if the boat is in the water or the water in the boat. If a rivet is under 1 ft of water there is 1/2 psi all over the surface of the rivet. If you have 1 ft of water in the boat, you have 1/2 psi all over the surface of the rivet.<br /><br />If you fill your boat with water to the waterline (as the boat would normally sit when launched), you will create the same pressure on the same rivets, just in the opposite direction. As Boomyal mentions, supporting the weight of the water in the boat is a consideration.<br /><br />Btw, if you are going to be filling your boat all the way with water, please take pictures for us.

 

[Bondo]

Re: This may be stupid.

I've got a Starcraft Islander 221..........<br />A "Tin Boat".........<br />I tend to run it hard,+ often... <br />I find it Much Easier to just Inspect Each,+ Every Rivit..........<br />From the Outside......... While on the wagon.....<br /><br />When you find the leak, It's usually more than obvious........<br />I drill out the offending rivit,+ Pop in a new 1............<br /><br />Once a year, I usually need 1 or 2.....<br /><br />BTW, It's Very Doubtful that your Trailer will support the Weight of all that Water.........<br /><br />Good Luck...... I Can't wait for the Photos......................

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: This may be stupid.

No need to fill it. I've done this a couple of times w/my tinny. Just put enough in to slosh around, maybe 10 gals. Add plenty of red food color. Slosh around and inspect outside for blood traces. You'll find the major offenders. There may be others you won't find that produce droplets of ooze. If you're looking for completely water-tite, get a glass boat.

 

[nocko]

Re: This may be stupid.

Thanks for the input fellas. I'm glad I posted the question. I'll try the food coloring bit. First. I'm also considering weighing down some rubbermaid containers or something inside the boat to take up space, then adding some water. The rivets I'm concerned about won't require filling the whole boat, heh heh. I'll take pictures. Me filling it, then me kicking myself.