Unknown water leak update

[MAXXIE]

After being out on the lake all day on Sunday, I was tied up to a few friends boats & just hung out all day, I've decided that the new deck I installed will be coming out. As the boat just sat in dead calm water all day I had to keep flicking the bilge switch on 'bout every 45 min's or so. The boat was taking on water all day, really pi$$ing me off at this point. So, I ordered all the supply's to do another new deck next week when everything gets here. In the mean time I plan to remove all of the deck from the dash back to transom, take it to the lake & splash it. I'll go for a quick spin until I see the water building up & then tie up to a dock & really give it a good inspection & find this damn leak. This is all I can come up with at this point. Removing & glassing in a new deck should be quick because I just did it in the spring, + I don't need to worry about removing any rotted wood this time. Well that's where I be at.:facepalm:

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Unknown water leak update

Shame that you have to rip up the deck. Do you have any access holes (ski locker, etc)? Could you cut one just to inspect and patch it? If you can get a light and a mirror down there, you should be able to look around and see a leak that size.

What kind of drive? If I/O, have you given all the bellows a good look over? Any chance you can get it off the trailer to inspect under the bunks? I'd suggest a leak at the rub rail, but you indicated that it leaked while sitting. Maybe a thruhull fitting that's leaking? Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Unknown water leak update

Just peel up the back 3' of deck or cut a hatch. Splash the boat but don't start the engine or drive it. Look for the leak. If no leak, start the engine and sit still, tied to a dock. Find the leak. If no leak, have someone drive the boat and find the leak. No need to remove the entire floor. I would assume 95% of leaks are from the rear of the boat.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Unknown water leak update

Fireman, right on the nose! It is leaking somewhere in the rear. I have cut 2 access holes- 1 right at the console where the walk-thru is & 1 right at the end of the deck before it go's into the gas tank area. I covered them with plexiglass so I could watch, but never really saw anything. I've decided to cut the deck from the bucket seats to the rear, the water is coming in somewhere on the driver side (I think). Thanks for advice again, I'll get to the bottom of this one way or the other, hopefully not the bottom of the lake

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Unknown water leak update

I think it's time to ditch that hoopty Bayliner and find yourself a nice Starcraft hull for your motor

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Unknown water leak update

Put your boat on the trailer,then get a bucket of water ,mix some red cake die or cool aid, dump it in the boat and see where the red comes out.The red will stain the leak.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Unknown water leak update

ezmobee, I'd like nothing more than to update/upgrade, with any luck, next year. Although, I know almost everyone on here has the same comments on Bayliner boats, but I just love the lines of Bayliner, always did for some reason or another. Anyway, Eagle, that sounds like a good idea. The rear section of the deck is coming out as we speak & if I don't see anything right off the bat I'll try your idea. I just want this fixed cause I feel like such a Yo-Yo having to flick the bilge on every 1/2 hour when were hanging around in a cove. I plan on being back on the water/ repaired & dry in a week to 10 days. (I have resin & matte & supply's left over from the first time). This is really a good thing in a way... there's a spot that didn't fit just right & now i'll be able to make it right.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Unknown water leak update

Keep us updated on your findings.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Unknown water leak update

I hope to be able to splash my semi-deckless boat sometime this afternoon. With the way my luck has been going lately, I won't be able to find the problem. I'll log on when I get home.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Unknown water leak update

You've probably already done it but, I don't think it's a good idea to run the boat with the deck ripped out. It's part of the structure with ties everything together.........................