Water coming up through carpet

[zjohns]

I am a newbie to the boating world. I recently bought a 2004 Suntracker 18' Party Barge. Has a 75hp Merc. Here is my issue. After about 30 mins of running around the lake I notice a wet spot on carpet, near the console. It will continue to grow towards the back of the boat. By the end of the day, the back half of entire floor is almost soppy wet. I have searched the forums and the web high and low. I have checked all my bolts underneath on the cross members. Do I need to re-caulk where the decking meets the cross members? Is this normal? I'm concerned that my decking is becoming saturated and could lead to rot. I'm also trying to find some information on making an underdeck wave guard or alluminum plating to keep water off bottom of boat. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[crb478]

Re: Water coming up through carpet

If it is not splashing in through gaps in the play pen area then it is probably turbulent water from underneath. Have someone drive the boat and look under the deck, there is often a great deal of water rolling off the pontoons and up to the decking especially in rough water. I would look at underskinning the boat at any rate it will help the way the boat handles rougher water.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Water coming up through carpet

You can calk the seams, those are at the cross members or install a shield, or add a full alum sheeting underneath thats called under skinning and that may add a few more MPH.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Water coming up through carpet

Don't know where you would buy them but you need splash deflectors, they are curved plastic pieces that go in front of the cross members and keep the water from getting on the deck.

A wave tamer or under shield would certainly do it but that is more time and money but probably the best solution.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Water coming up through carpet

Simply put, water is leaking up from underneath. It can be a bear to find and stop. I had it happening around the bases of my front fishing seats. The manufacturer sent me four tubes of caulk to fix it. No help. Finally they sent me underskinning for those two sections of underdeck.

 

[Okieboatguy]

Re: Water coming up through carpet

Under-skinning should do the trick, as well as help you increase the speed and protect the life of the deck, because as we all know, water is the enemy of all boats!

 

[arntarchie]

Re: Water coming up through carpet

you said it starts around the console and grows, I would be looking at were all of your wires and cables come throw the deck. as every one else has said - under skinning LOVE YOU LONG TIME

 

[cooterdude]

Re: Water coming up through carpet

could it be your speedometer leaking water the one on my lund did it once is why i was asking
it has a tube that runs to the lower unit of my engine water presure rises and tells your speed mine had a pinhole in the tube