Resealing garboard drain flange.

[tractoman]

I've been taking on a quart or so of water into the bilge each of the last few outings. I just had the drive off and bellows are good. I finally poured some water in the bilge with the plug in, and big as you please, the water started to drip out the garboard flange. I have removed it to find what looks like plumbers putty or something that used to seal it, and not much of it. I have it all cleaned up and will let the bilge dry overnight. I have both 4200 and 5200 to reseal and reinstall it. Is the 4200 OK or should I use the 5200? Should I just goop up the flange and stick it in so the sealant oozes out the sides and coat the screws in some sealant and put them back in?
Thanks,

 

[rbh]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

personnally 5200,
It is now part of the boat.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

I second the 3M 5200...and don't be stingy, it wipes off easily while wet!

Happy boating!

 

[indy440]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

I had the same thing! I didnt have any 5200 on hand so I used atwood polyurathane marine sealant for below the waterline. It seems to be working great! And im pretty sure it'll peal off if I want to put 5200 on it.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

I used 5200 on when I redid my transom this year.
No leaks...

 

[mikecjn]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

I sealed my flanges with 5200 and have had no water leaks since. Just make sure when you tighten it down you don't let it all squeeze out.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

So, Like the garboard is under the boat on the strakes?

I just needs to know so I can check and see if I have a drain there

 

[NYBo]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

If the transom has a plywood core, you're going to need to let it dry out a lot longer than overnight. You want it absolutely dry or you'll be inviting rot, if it hasn't started already. Swabbing the opening with bleach and letting it dry for a few days might be a good idea.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

It's been on the trailer for a week. It's only wet cause I put water in the bilge for about 30 seconds.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

Just rebedded mine, too. 5200.

lrider, the garboard plug is in the center of the transom, right at the bottom. It drains the lowest part of the bilge when the boat is out of the water.

 

[sasto]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

Common practice around here is to remove some of the wood around the hole between the layers of fiberglass and use an epoxy filler. Fill the hole to the appropiate diameter and after the epoxy cures install the drain using 5200.

 

[indy440]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

mine didnt have any visable wood, just fiberglass all the way through the hole.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

JoLin - Thank you, I really didn't know that and couldn't find a lot on the net about it

 

[JimS123]

Re: Resealing garboard drain flange.

JoLin - Thank you, I really didn't know that and couldn't find a lot on the net about it

A Garboard Plug is located on the garboard. The garboard is the first plank next to the keel, just under the keelson. Thus, it is on the bottom of the boat. Its usually quite close to the transom, though you could also have several located at different places. Most are usually bronze, and some come with a matching backer plate. Also, most have a flange that only protrudes 1/4" or so.

A Transom Drain has the same purpose, but it is located at the lowermost point of the transom. They usually have a long flange, to fit thru the entire thickness of the transom. They may be smooth walled for a rubber plug, or it may be threaded.

Today, most people have never even seen a garboard, much less know what it is. Obviously, fiberglass and aluminum boats don't have one. Some boat builders continue to use garboard drains but install them in the transom. Hence the confusion.

Lots of cornfusion these days. The wench on my trailor broke, my Mercurycruise needs a tuneup and my bildge isnt pumping anymore.

Probably more than you wanted to know. Spent every day this week in the boat but its raining today and nothing to do....LOL.