Water in Hull

lmoore

Cadet
Joined
May 18, 2006
Messages
9
Hi,<br /> I have a 17" Winner bow rider and just figured out there is water in the Hull. The back of the boat seems to sit 4-6 inches too low in the water at a heck of an angle and it does not plane good. I drilled a hole in the hull and no water dripped out but when I put a small screwdriver in the hole and wiggled it around water ran down the screwdriver. Feels like foam in there. Question is what is the best way to deal with this cut off the outside or inside? Boat seems solid everywhere so not sure where the water came in. Any sugestions would be great. Thinking about using it for the summer and then fixing or srapping it. But seems like such a nice boat in good shape except for this problem. Thanks
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Water in Hull

I've never done it, but you will have to cut the floor out to get at the foam. There are numerous posts on this topic. Just click on the red button above and put in wet foam...
 

dmarkvid2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
478
Re: Water in Hull

I don't understand "theres water in the hull"? Is there water in the bilge? If thats where it is, there should be a drain plug at the very back of the boat at its lowest point. When the boat is on the trailer, tilt the bow upwards, and remove the plug, and let it drain. Is there a bilge pump in the boat? If the water is in the foam flotation, you should remove it (the foam). And most likely the only way to do that is to tear out the deck. If you don't, all the stringers, and everything else that is wood will rot, if it hasn't already. What part of the boat did you drill the hole? Where is the water coming from?
 

epresutti

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 14, 2001
Messages
465
Re: Water in Hull

Imoore,<br /><br />Sounds like how my project started. My boat sat very heavy in the stern. It turns out there were many things wrong (unfortunately), rear floatation compartments we full of foam and water, transom was watersoaked and weak, stringers were water soaked, basically all of the wood was bad or should be replaced.<br /><br />You should be looking for a brown syrup comming out of the boat, this is a good indication you have water soaked and rotting wood.<br /><br />As was said above you may have to cut open the deck to find out what is really going on. Try posting some pics, and perhaps a little better description of your drilling adventure.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.
 

lmoore

Cadet
Joined
May 18, 2006
Messages
9
Re: Water in Hull

Hi,<br /> Sorry for the bad description. From under the boat I drilled a hole and no water started to drip out but when I stuck a small screw driver in there and started to move it around water started to drip down the screwdriver. Since it is a bowrider and it sits so funny I figure that all the floatation compartments must be full of water, since they all would be located in the back of the boat. Just don't know if I want to do such a project and/or if the boat is worth it. Seems like a nice boat and the way it is so clean in the bildge I did not figure on this at all in this boat. The last two boats I had had water in the foam and they ran good no real problems but this one just won't get up and go it just stands up on end unless there is someone in the front then it still stands up pretty far. Are there any real dangers running the boat other than it sitting lower in the water and could be swampped easier? When running the boat in 1 1/2' to 2 1/2' waves, at 37mph, it runs real nice no slamming just cuts thru the water. Probably because it is heavy from water in it. But haven't been in a boat that small that rides so nice in awhile. I am on LK St Clair in Mich and hte waves are close and choppy. I will do more probing and check back with the results. Thanks<br /><br />ps the water was a milky white.
 

epresutti

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 14, 2001
Messages
465
Re: Water in Hull

Imoore,<br /><br />You would be better served cutting some holes in the deck, you could always cut a circular hole and install a 4", 6" or 8" inspection plate. To fill the hole you just cut or put the piece back in with some 5200. I would stay away from drilling holes in the bottom of the hull.<br /><br />You may also find that there are weep holes in the stringers to allow the compartments to drain to the bildge you may want to check those. If they are clogged, the water will sit inside the stringer compartment.<br /><br />You may want to find out how the boat was constructed to determine where water might get trapped. Also consider the weight of your engine and gear and where you are storing it. Placement of Batteries, etc.<br /><br />I have always been told the boat should be trimmed properly for safe operation. <br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.
 
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