Problems with my hull

[rockn'reel]

I am having problems with my hull (I think). I have excessive amounts of water in the hull when I pull the plug after running the boat out on the water. At first I put this extra water up to rain, water splashing into the boat, or some of the rivets in the transom leaking through. I have epoxied the rivets, and I have been out on the water on calm, clear days in which I have taken no water into the boat yet I am still having this problem. Is there somewhere I can take the boat to have it looked at to find a problem area and what type of fees am I looking at?
Thanks!

[Rimshot]

The best thing to do is get the boat level, put the plug in, and fill the bottom with water using a hose. Make sure the bottom is dry before hand. Then just get under it and look for the leak. Once found you can decide if you can fix it or you need to have it serviced.

If you take it somewhere to have it looked at this is how they will find the leak. Might as well do it yourself. Good luck, leaks are never fun :sick:.

[1pump]

If you fill the bilge with water on a warm day, you'll probably need to wait a while for the condensation to go away. Once the water warms up it'll stop.
If your luck is like mine, the leak will be right where the trailer bunks meet the hull. :eek:

[rockn'reel]

I did the fill the hull with water thing last year and didn't have any leaks. I have been having this problem for quite a while but I can never find a leak. This is almost as infuriating as an electrical problem. I thought there might be a leak when there is stress put against the hull. I have given the hull a preliminary inspection and cannot find any leaks. Can anyone think of anything else. Then again, I probably have luck like 1pump and my leak is where the trailer meets the hull.

[Draggin' Bait]

I once had a 1959 Lonestar riveted hull which took in water sometimes. I never could pin it down. On plane in calm water -- no leak. Displacement speed in calm water -- small leak. Any kind of speed in water with a chop -- big leak. Finally found it one day by accident when I came in from fishing and parked with the boat uphill from the truck, bow on the downhill side. Suddenly the bow was dripping water! I found where one rivet had come out, taking with it a tiny piece of the aluminum hull. It went into a foam-filled bow compartment. When I was planing the leak was above the water line and so there was no problem. When at calm displacement speeds it was just below waterline and would leak, but only slowly, because the foam in there nearly blocked the flow of water. However, when bouncing around that foam would also bounce around and every time the hole was uncovered a little shot of water came in. Since the hole was a little too big to just replace the rivet, I was at a loss. (Also too poor for a serious repair job!) I talked to both local dealerships, and they both recommended that I let the interior dry as much as possible, then shoot as much silicon as I could into the rivet hole, from the outside. That not only sealed the foam into place the silicon very effectively prevented any further water intrusion. Repair cost was just a couple of $. The hardest part was finding the dang leak! Good luck -- it's a frustrating problem.

[Phil Layer]

Inboard or outboard?

[rockn'reel]

outboard

[Chrome Bumper]

Check around the plug real good. If you have a tight crack (in the boat :rolleyes:)it might only leak when flexed. Same with a slightly loose rivet.

Maybe spray soap on the outside while some one is blowing compressed air on the hull on the inside and look for bubbles on the outside.

Tim Taylor (of RT factors not Binfords) might know someone with high tech gear.

[trap50]

I don't know if your motor is attached with through hull bolts. If it is you may want to reseal them. Good spot for leaks.

[Rimshot]

Is there a livewell in your boat? If there is maybe it or one of the fittings in the plumbing to it is leaking. Also, do you store your boat outside? I had an issue where I thought my boat was leaking once but it ended up being water that hadn't drained out from being stored outside. I figured towing it to the ramp up and down hills would have got rid of any water. Nope. To figure this out I went out on a sunny day and pulled the boat halfway down the ramp before putting the plug in. I let it sit for a min and drain the little water that was in it. Then I took it out for the day and pulled the plug on the ramp again. Dry. You might try it to make absolutely sure you are leaking before you drive your self nuts. Good luck.

[fishncliff]

We fished from the bridge to catepillar with nothing for 3 hrs, both sides of the river. :shrug:

Gave up salmon and went gator huntin. Nothin from frenchmans to 205 bridge. :eek:

While waitin for a gator to nibble, we started trying to solve the mysterious 2-3 gal of water entering the boat at odd intervals. We moved all the gas tanks, pulled carpet loose( need new tape apparently),and nothing. Back of the boat dry, no leaks. :shrug:
Carpet wet about half way , so we moved everything and started pullin more carpet, follow the wet spot :idea:.
My brother stepped towards the front of the boat, pulled the carpet up and we had our own drinking fountain shooting up from the bottom of the hull. About a 1/4" size hole through the bottom. :bigshock: :passout:
It was right under the port side rod holder, so when I was setting that rod I would step on it and stop the leak, this causing the irregular interval of the water entering the boat. :crazy:
Plugged the hole with a golf tee,reeled in and ran to the trailer.Got home,cleaned out all the gear, removed the carpet, pressure washed the inside of the boat, and applied a fiberglass patch. :clap:
Hopefully we get fish next week in a dry boat. :jester:

[Road Rage]

Do you have a speedometer in the boat? Does it work?

Speedometers are hydro-powered, with a small hose from the pick-up to the back of the gauge. It could be leaking or disconnected.