Why is water still draining from my boat?

[11craigt]

I noticed recently that my boat is still draining water out of the hull, even after sitting a few days or week.<br /><br />I was following my buddy who was trailering it for me the other day...every time he took off from a traffic light, water would come out. Not huge amounts, but nevertheless. My hull is an 83' Cobia 18' center-console. Are there channels down in the hull that trap some water after boating and even though you drain it when your done, it takes rattling around on the trailer to pour over into the channels that go to the back of the boat or drain area???

 

[brine]

Re: Why is water still draining from my boat?

just a guess but you probably have water in your flotation foam. tip boat back and see how much water drains. saturated foam may never let all of the water out. hope this isn't thte problem.

 

[swist]

Re: Why is water still draining from my boat?

I presume it hasn't rained. <br /><br />Water can trap in a zillion little places from which it won't escape unless given a sudden jolt like in trailering. It should stop soon.

 

[Drybo]

Re: Why is water still draining from my boat?

Same problem here, think the foam is wet, dang! got to take floor out to fix and hope stringers are not wet/rotten. May just let it go, boat handles ok, seems safe, but this is always in the back of mind. Wish there was easy fix but none I know of.

 

[11craigt]

Re: Why is water still draining from my boat?

Now that you mention...I have seen little water pellets or condensation on the hulls underneath and lower sides, almost like it is sweating. Is this a sign to the interior being soaked?

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Why is water still draining from my boat?

anchorthis,<br /><br />You have hit a valid point. If the beads of condensation are on the lowest point of the hull and make a nice neat line round it, with the hull above the line dry, then it is possible - but not definite - that there is water in the foam. The condensation could be caused by other reasons, but whenever there is regular condensation like you describe, it's always worth checking the foam if you can get to it.

 

[11craigt]

Re: Why is water still draining from my boat?

Ok. IF the foam where to be wet, how do you dry it or can't you? I am sure this makes the hull heavier, does it make it more prone to breaking or less trustworthy? I want to fish, not swim.

 

[brine]

Re: Why is water still draining from my boat?

a couple of ways will tell you if you are floating a full sponge<br /><br />1. weigh boat. water is heavy, a couple of hundred pounds heavy<br /><br />2. drill a couple of inconspicuos (not though the gas tank) holes and push a wooden dowel into the hole. comes out wet it sucks

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Why is water still draining from my boat?

Originally posted by anchorthis:<br /> Ok. IF the foam where to be wet, how do you dry it or can't you? I am sure this makes the hull heavier, does it make it more prone to breaking or less trustworthy? I want to fish, not swim.

The only way to fix it is to remove it and replace it with new foam. Saturated foam will never dry where it's installed. If you cut the areas open maybe it will eventually, but as long as you have it cut it open you might as well dig it out and replace, giving you an opportunity to inspect the underlying wood. On a boat this age, I'd check it out carefully. A used (and obviously abused) boat I purchased last year was 9 years newer than your 1983 model and I had to gut it to the hull for just this reason. Replaced stringers, transom, engine mounts, and foam. Was a nice little winter project for me.<br /><br />Figure it out now before it gets worse, and hopefully it's not rotted to the extent mine was.