Howdy members...I'm a newbie!
And right now, I'm up the proverbial tributary without an adequate means of floatation~
Here's the facts: (better go smoke if you got 'em and grab a drink...):facepalm:
The boat does not run.
The boat has not been out of the water in approx. 17 years.
Steel hull (of course).
Was grounded on some rocks (unintentionally, when a basshole tournament started and everyone had to leave the marina at once) on the 17th of December. (and then again when they came back in and then left again) Also, did not know there was damage at this time.
Was towed to a marina on December 20th. I looked in the engine compartments and they were dry. Did not check anywhere else. Everything seemed fine until the evening of December 26th.
I noticed the boat was listing to the right way more than usual. (I used to keep the boat slightly listing to the right because of a leak I had around the port-side out drive but I patched it several months ago. After patching, I just kept it slightly listing 'just in case') Then, when I opened the fridge door and let go, it slammed shut. Hmmm, never done that before. So I pulled out the items under the galley sink and oh my God! There was about 7" of water in the hull and I have never seen water there before.
Then I checked the engine compartments and there was about 2" water there. Then checked the first access hole going toward the bow, where my shower sump pump is and there was about 9" of water.
I skipped over the galley area b/c of carpet and lifted the steps up to the salon, crawled under and again, found about 7 to 9" of water in the middle of the hull.
**Backing up a second...when I arrived at the marina, I did not have power until the 23rd and minimal power at that. They have a power issue that will not amended until the first of spring. So the dock manager who lives here ran a bunch of drop cords to at least get my computer, freezer, fridge, heater and a lamp going. I NEVER even considered that my bilge pumps were not on...probably b/c I hadn't had any issues in over a year or so...
Ok, so I used my 1/6 hp submersible utility pump and pumped all that I could out. Then I heard water 'dripping or running or something'. I crawled way down under the galley sink with my handy dandy LED flashlight, looked to the left, everything ok. Looked to the right and lo and behold...if the water were black...I would have thought I was watching the beginning of the Beverly Hillbillys...just like the oil bubblin' up from the ground.
Ok, first question~ if I move the fridge out from under the counter, I think I can get right over the leak. But then what? I do have some of that BoatLIFE Life Chalk...a polysulfide sealant and caulking compound...as well as some other similar sealants. But correct me if I'm wrong, should'nt the leak/hole be sealed from the outside of the boat since the pressure is coming from the outside? What do I do??
The leak is not spewing, just bubbling up but I'm having to use my 1/6 hp pump every 3 hours, without fail. I think there may be another leak somewhere else...but I'm not sure how to find it unless I can get this one stopped/plugged. The on-site manager is a welder if there is a plausible option by using his abilities...
And the bilge pumps that I do have, one is in the engine compartment (haven't had anymore water getting back there since the first big pump out, other than maybe less than a 1/4 of an inch) the other one is in the bow, under the outside hatch (and there is no water there). If I put one under the galley sink, where can I put the discharge hose without having to make a hole? And the same goes for under the salon...no hole to put a discharge hose.
**Another thought...there hasn't been anymore water accumulating under the galley sink either, since the initial pump out...even with the hole with the bubbling action. So, A)that water has to going somewhere...and B) if the water isn't rising under the galley sink, then before, when I first found it, the water must have been overflow from another compartment...which is probably the compartment under the salon. That's where I am keeping my big pump to pump out every three hours. And the access hole where my shower sump pump is, will drain when I pump as well...
Hmmm...
After sending this 'ebook'...I'm headed out to get my shore power cords hooked up. But I have no clue what else to do. I'm at a total loss.
Guys....I live on my boat with my feline co-captain, Max. I lost my business due to the economy, which in turn, I lost my house...then had an accident and broke both my legs. I am waiting for my disability hearing which should be happening anytime now, up to 5 months more of waiting. This boat is all I've got left, along with a crapload of my 'stuff' on it. Please give me some advice as to what to do...I've got to make this last just a little bit longer...I have to. I have no where else to go.
All comments and suggestions are welcome...other than 'what the hell you were you thinking' when I bought this old boat...
All prayers are welcomed too...
CaptAng and Max
PS...Would it help the situation to start moving all my crap off the boat...making it lighter or moving to one side or the other to try and isolate the problem??
I also have some of that stuff that comes in two tubes that you mix together and then it gets hard...if that will help.
Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom~
And right now, I'm up the proverbial tributary without an adequate means of floatation~
Here's the facts: (better go smoke if you got 'em and grab a drink...):facepalm:
The boat does not run.
The boat has not been out of the water in approx. 17 years.
Steel hull (of course).
Was grounded on some rocks (unintentionally, when a basshole tournament started and everyone had to leave the marina at once) on the 17th of December. (and then again when they came back in and then left again) Also, did not know there was damage at this time.
Was towed to a marina on December 20th. I looked in the engine compartments and they were dry. Did not check anywhere else. Everything seemed fine until the evening of December 26th.
I noticed the boat was listing to the right way more than usual. (I used to keep the boat slightly listing to the right because of a leak I had around the port-side out drive but I patched it several months ago. After patching, I just kept it slightly listing 'just in case') Then, when I opened the fridge door and let go, it slammed shut. Hmmm, never done that before. So I pulled out the items under the galley sink and oh my God! There was about 7" of water in the hull and I have never seen water there before.
Then I checked the engine compartments and there was about 2" water there. Then checked the first access hole going toward the bow, where my shower sump pump is and there was about 9" of water.
I skipped over the galley area b/c of carpet and lifted the steps up to the salon, crawled under and again, found about 7 to 9" of water in the middle of the hull.
**Backing up a second...when I arrived at the marina, I did not have power until the 23rd and minimal power at that. They have a power issue that will not amended until the first of spring. So the dock manager who lives here ran a bunch of drop cords to at least get my computer, freezer, fridge, heater and a lamp going. I NEVER even considered that my bilge pumps were not on...probably b/c I hadn't had any issues in over a year or so...
Ok, so I used my 1/6 hp submersible utility pump and pumped all that I could out. Then I heard water 'dripping or running or something'. I crawled way down under the galley sink with my handy dandy LED flashlight, looked to the left, everything ok. Looked to the right and lo and behold...if the water were black...I would have thought I was watching the beginning of the Beverly Hillbillys...just like the oil bubblin' up from the ground.
Ok, first question~ if I move the fridge out from under the counter, I think I can get right over the leak. But then what? I do have some of that BoatLIFE Life Chalk...a polysulfide sealant and caulking compound...as well as some other similar sealants. But correct me if I'm wrong, should'nt the leak/hole be sealed from the outside of the boat since the pressure is coming from the outside? What do I do??
The leak is not spewing, just bubbling up but I'm having to use my 1/6 hp pump every 3 hours, without fail. I think there may be another leak somewhere else...but I'm not sure how to find it unless I can get this one stopped/plugged. The on-site manager is a welder if there is a plausible option by using his abilities...
And the bilge pumps that I do have, one is in the engine compartment (haven't had anymore water getting back there since the first big pump out, other than maybe less than a 1/4 of an inch) the other one is in the bow, under the outside hatch (and there is no water there). If I put one under the galley sink, where can I put the discharge hose without having to make a hole? And the same goes for under the salon...no hole to put a discharge hose.
**Another thought...there hasn't been anymore water accumulating under the galley sink either, since the initial pump out...even with the hole with the bubbling action. So, A)that water has to going somewhere...and B) if the water isn't rising under the galley sink, then before, when I first found it, the water must have been overflow from another compartment...which is probably the compartment under the salon. That's where I am keeping my big pump to pump out every three hours. And the access hole where my shower sump pump is, will drain when I pump as well...
Hmmm...
After sending this 'ebook'...I'm headed out to get my shore power cords hooked up. But I have no clue what else to do. I'm at a total loss.
Guys....I live on my boat with my feline co-captain, Max. I lost my business due to the economy, which in turn, I lost my house...then had an accident and broke both my legs. I am waiting for my disability hearing which should be happening anytime now, up to 5 months more of waiting. This boat is all I've got left, along with a crapload of my 'stuff' on it. Please give me some advice as to what to do...I've got to make this last just a little bit longer...I have to. I have no where else to go.
All comments and suggestions are welcome...other than 'what the hell you were you thinking' when I bought this old boat...
All prayers are welcomed too...
CaptAng and Max
PS...Would it help the situation to start moving all my crap off the boat...making it lighter or moving to one side or the other to try and isolate the problem??
I also have some of that stuff that comes in two tubes that you mix together and then it gets hard...if that will help.
Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom~
