water under floor?? wont come out?

[parrisw]

Ok, I just installed a transducer for a new sounder, and when I drilled through the transom, at the bottom a bit of water came out, but there is no acess to this area from inside, in the back where I can see the bilge its only a little small spot at the back, and has no drainage holes to the other parts of under the floor, looks like maybe someone galssed it in? I'm sure the transom wood is fine, when I drilled through, nice wood curls came out, no rotten wood came out with the drill bit. Am I ok to drill some drainage holes???? What to do, I don't like the water in there where it cant get out?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

it's going to take some planning and you need to route that water into the bilge...... might take some minor surgery.

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Ok what do you recommend? Am I going to have to take some of the floor up?

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Remove your new transducer that you have mounted and repair the screw holes. Drill a 3/8" to 1/2" hole in the lowest part of your transom (not into the sump area) into the bilge area. You'll most likely have to estimate just how thick the layup of your bottom might be. The circumference of your water egress hole should intersect the top side of the glass material on the inside bottom so all "free" water will drain. You may want to drill upward at an angle of maybe 30deg. at the intersection of the transom and the bottom. Lift the bow as high as you can get it and let it sit until water has drained. Catch the water in a bucket if you like. I recommend drilling a vacuum relief hole at least 12" from your water egress hole. Draining a boat of water like that with only one hole can resemble pouring liquid from a can through one hole...it just doesn't work so well. Holes are an easy repair. Removing water from a hull can become a cost-prohibitive proposition and if left there, generally will cause damage amongst other aggravations. The truth that you don't want to hear is, that if you are successful in draining the hull of the free-flowing water from inside, the moisture in the saturated foam may have become quite heavy compromising boat performance and is there to stay. Wood (if any) will mildew, rot and moisture in the raw glass on the inside wicks water like a sponge, can cause osmotic blistering from the inside out and can expand in freezing temperatures and cause cracks which will appear in the gel coat. So, short of removing the floor to observe, assessing the situation becomes a judgment call in avoidance of a last resort effort to repair.

On a positive note; if it is determined a new slow leak and found early enough, or one that has not increased your boat weight significantly (this can usually be determined) can generally be remedied without a big issue. It just is not a good idea to aggravate hull leaks by drilling holes below the waterline for any reason or in any other area where water will eventually find its way into a bilge.

Captain Chris

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

HUUU, you want me to do what? Drill a 1/2" hole in the transom? Why would I remove the transducer and repair the holes?? Where else am I supposed to put it? As long as the screw holes are sealed with silicon when installed it should be ok.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

No sir, no one wants you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. I believe that you asked the general public a series of questions with a problem that you were experiencing. Some will respond. It is my understanding that forums are a neutral place to constructively share information, experiences and in many instances, the keen knowledge by others.

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

No sir, no one wants you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. I believe that you asked the general public a series of questions with a problem that you were experiencing. Some will respond. It is my understanding that forums are a neutral place to constructively share information, experiences and in many instances, the keen knowledge by others.

Sorry maybe I came across wrong then. I've never had this problem before, this is the first boat I've owned, but always had a boat in the family, I've never experience this problem before, this is why I'm asking here. My thinking, drilling a 1/2" hole in the transom isn't going to fix the problem, its only going to take care of the water that's in there. What if more gets in? Then what, because some will, everytime someone get out of the water from skiing or tubing, into the boat soaking wet, there is likely going to get water under the floor somehow. If I have to take part of the floor up so be it, maybe make some holes so the water can get to the back and drain out. Then I'll likely have to seal the holes with epoxy/glass, so it doesn't penetrate the wood. Am I on the right track?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Yes..... you might have to put some "routing" holes to allow the water to drain from one area to the bilge...... if the boat was re-decked and that was over looked it needs to be tended to. Water in there for the winter can freeze and do damage. Possible small area if the deck could be removed near the stern.... holes drilled towards the bilge area and the deck replaced and sealed. yes any hole you put through the wood needs to be dried and sealed.

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Yes..... you might have to put some "routing" holes to allow the water to drain from one area to the bilge...... if the boat was re-decked and that was over looked it needs to be tended to. Water in there for the winter can freeze and do damage. Possible small area if the deck could be removed near the stern.... holes drilled towards the bilge area and the deck replaced and sealed. yes any hole you put through the wood needs to be dried and sealed.

Ok, thanks allot. I'll have to get to it this winter hopefully.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Sorry maybe I came across wrong then. I've never had this problem before, this is the first boat I've owned, but always had a boat in the family, I've never experience this problem before, this is why I'm asking here. My thinking, drilling a 1/2" hole in the transom isn't going to fix the problem, its only going to take care of the water that's in there. What if more gets in? Then what, because some will, everytime someone get out of the water from skiing or tubing, into the boat soaking wet, there is likely going to get water under the floor somehow. If I have to take part of the floor up so be it, maybe make some holes so the water can get to the back and drain out. Then I'll likely have to seal the holes with epoxy/glass, so it doesn't penetrate the wood. Am I on the right track?

Thank you. I would crawl around on my hands and knees and seek out every potential hole, crack, crevice and do my best to locate the culprit...mark it and map it..and take notes so you will recall where they are. If you have carpet, unfortunately it will have to come up unless you locate the problem elsewhere. It may not be in the sole at all. Any wire, cable or harness conduit should be examined. Is your boat an outboard, I/O, inboard, jet? This is almost a forensic examination and, as you know, water is stealthy. Check the bottom side of your boat..even under your bunks. I don't think we know what type of boat it is yet, so it may help some us to have some photos of top, transom, port, starboard and bow. It's tough to diagnose from a distance, but some of us have had more experience than we'd care to admit and can hold hands till you get it right and some of us have successful lifelong professions and avocations in the marine industry. There isn't a soul here that doesn't want for you and your family to have the best times in your lives together on your boat. Boats are trouble...I think they are inherently designed that way!! So, lets get started.

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Thank you. I would crawl around on my hands and knees and seek out every potential hole, crack, crevice and do my best to locate the culprit...mark it and map it..and take notes so you will recall where they are. If you have carpet, unfortunately it will have to come up unless you locate the problem elsewhere. It may not be in the sole at all. Any wire, cable or harness conduit should be examined. Is your boat an outboard, I/O, inboard, jet? This is almost a forensic examination and, as you know, water is stealthy. Check the bottom side of your boat..even under your bunks. I don't think we know what type of boat it is yet, so it may help some us to have some photos of top, transom, port, starboard and bow. It's tough to diagnose from a distance, but some of us have had more experience than we'd care to admit and can hold hands till you get it right and some of us have successful lifelong professions and avocations in the marine industry. There isn't a soul here that doesn't want for you and your family to have the best times in your lives together on your boat. Boats are trouble...I think they are inherently designed that way!! So, lets get started.

Thanks. The boat is a 1965 Johnson Trihull, with an outboard. I can take pics of whatever you want, if you think that'll help. There is one spot on the keel where it has a wound, doesn't look like it goes anywhere, but I'm sure it does, I want to fix that. Its a bigger wound than I'd like to see,

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Pictures most always will help, especially if they are of areas of concerns that you may have.

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Pictures most always will help, especially if they are of areas of concerns that you may have.

The thing is you cant really see squat! Its carpeted, 2 layers, so that would have to come up, I'll take a pic of the rear well, it looks like its had some glass work done to it.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

It's simply speculation, but if you can tell that glass work has been done, then that should raise a red flag. I used to really like some of those old Johnson and Evinrude boats. They were fast, comfortable and pretty much ahead of their time. That was the advent of the "Gull-Wing". I don't recall all of them; of course, but some came on their own special OMC trailer which was a work of art.

Captain Chris

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

It's simply speculation, but if you can tell that glass work has been done, then that should raise a red flag. I used to really like some of those old Johnson and Evinrude boats. They were fast, comfortable and pretty much ahead of their time. That was the advent of the "Gull-Wing". I don't recall all of them; of course, but some came on their own special OMC trailer which was a work of art.

Captain Chris

I just guessing about the glassing? I'm not totally sure, it just kinda looks like someone has done something. Looks like I'm going to have to move that transducer now, had it out today, major ROOSTER TAIL, its a little too low. What's the best way to repair the holes I made?

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Just remove the screws and dry out the hole really well, unless you start fighting water from your hull draining through them. When dry, you can use, MarineTex, JB Weld or PC 7 and just carefully sand flush without disturbing your gel coat. I sent a PM to you regarding transducer mounting.

Captain Chris

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

Just remove the screws and dry out the hole really well, unless you start fighting water from your hull draining through them. When dry, you can use, MarineTex, JB Weld or PC 7 and just carefully sand flush without disturbing your gel coat. I sent a PM to you regarding transducer mounting.

Captain Chris

Thanks allot!! Would the regular 2 part epoxy work? I have some of that on hand.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

If the viscosity is high enough and you can keep it on the hole, it will work just fine. You could tape it, but it also could run out the backside of the hole too. When you mount later, as I have suggested, your patch will be secure and not visible anyway.

 

[parrisw]

Re: water under floor?? wont come out?

If the viscosity is high enough and you can keep it on the hole, it will work just fine. You could tape it, but it also could run out the backside of the hole too. When you mount later, as I have suggested, your patch will be secure and not visible anyway.

Cool, thanks allot. When I pulled the screws out today, no more water came out? It only dribbled out a little when I drilled the holes, I'll leave them open for a while today and see what happens.