Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

[hitest1024]

OK, I have an 85 Bayliner Capri 1950, and I'm starting to be able to fix the problems that are just annoying, since I seem to have gotten all the ones that were stopping the boat. (Thanks to all on this forum who have helped.) This weekend's issue: When I'm cruising around the lake, it seems like the boat takes a lot of water on, and I have to bilge pretty frequently. It can sit overnight however, without taking on as much water, though I still wouldn't want to sit it for more than a day without bilging.

My question is- how do I start looking for the leaks? The transom seal looks pretty good- it's an Inboard/Outboard (I think) stern drive. Any thoughts? Thanks much!

Full disclosure: The one stupid thing I have done, and believe I have undone, is this: I was attaching plywood over the weak plywood deck, and a couple of the deck screws went through the hull. It took on a good bit of water when the holes were there (about 5 if I remember correctly.) But I went back, took the screws out, and patched the holes.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

Do you still have plywood over the rotten deck?
Looking for leaks is just that....ya just have to hunt around for them.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

I have found some by putting water in the bilge while on the trailer. Sitting level first then raise the nose up. Do not fill the thing up as it will leak out of the new cracks you just made.

 

[oops!]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

ok....couple of things.......but first of all.....welcome to iboats.

there are two types of stern drives for the bayliner.....one was a standard i/o with a drive hanging out the back...the other was called an L drive... we need pics to know which one.

if you have a standard i/o....you are ok......if its an L drive......go buy insurance.....and burn the sucker.....oh....wait.....the cost of buying the insurance is more than the pay out......scrap that idea.

if its an i/o....and a merc.......check the bellows both the shift (the little rubber boot thingy) and the main bellows......(the big round rubber tube)
but chances are its in the shift boot.

as far as the leaking when you are just sitting there with out crusing......there could be a number of things......but first things first....lets see the drive.

 

[hitest1024]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

Thanks all...
Re: OOPS- The engine in my boat is a VolvoPenta AQ125b, and the drive is a sterndrive 190(?)... I can't get pics right now though, it's out at the lake.
Re: Cierra- yep, I took the carpet up, tacked on the new plywood, and then put the carpet back. But I think I got all the screw holes fixed (with auto body putty)...
Re: Proshadetree- that is a great idea- I don't know why I didn't think of that...

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

Probably a 270 or 275 drive. Taking on more water when running than sitting I would look for a raw water leak, manifold to exhaust tube coupler, raw water pump, water lines or seals. Run it up to 2000 RPM in neutral and see where it's coming from.

Post your results with pics over on the penta forum and you will get all the info you need.

 

[produceguy]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

Thanks all...
Re: OOPS- The engine in my boat is a VolvoPenta AQ125b, and the drive is a sterndrive 190(?)... I can't get pics right now though, it's out at the lake.
Re: Cierra- yep, I took the carpet up, tacked on the new plywood, and then put the carpet back. But I think I got all the screw holes fixed (with auto body putty)...
Re: Proshadetree- that is a great idea- I don't know why I didn't think of that...

Auto body putty? Is that Bondo?

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

Just some food for thought hitest....
I did exactly what you did with my first boat. Layed new plywood over the rotted old plywood. It lasted two years and was comletely rotted again. Rot will just "infect" the new wood and rot it out.
Something to think about.
Also, Bondo will fall out eventually.

 

[oops!]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

volvo will have a shift boot and bellows as well......check them......they are a primary source of leaks.

the new ply over the old deck will condem your boat in 2 seasons.....better pull it up and the old one and fix it before you are doing a total gut.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

AQ drives don't have a shift bellows, the cable runs through a hose that has one end above the water line. There is however, a swaged clamp at the transom that can rust away and cause a leak.

I suggested you post your leak questions in the penta forum so you wouldn't go chasing ghosts. Your engine is fresh water cooled and quite a bit different from the mercruiser set ups.

 

[produceguy]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

Did it leak before you put the screws thru the hull?

 

[hitest1024]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

produceguy- yep, it leaked before I put the screws through it- seems like it was about the same amount of water I get now. (It got a LOT of water the couple of times we took it out when the screws were through it.)

And yep- I used bondo for the screwholes. Seems to have worked, though obviously I would have done it different if I did it over again.

And yes, to everyone who is warning about the plywood- I assumed it was temporary- if I got two seasons that would be great for 30 some dollars worth of wood. I'm working on getting a covered place to store it, in which I could try to do the floor, and whatever is below it, right. But I bought the boat with a friend for around 2000, and we're both hesitant to put too much in it. (Also I got laid off in June!)

I appreciate everyone's help and their thoughts- (and I know I'm an idiot for putting screws through the bottom! Just trying not to do the same kind of thing again..)

 

[RandyJ]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

Before putting the body filler on did you clean the area and sand it? Best thing to do when using this type of filler is do a good clean patch then paint over it to seal the repair. Also.. when checking for leaks don't forget to give the engine block a good looking over while running. One boat I acquired had a crack in the block that I didn't see until I was about knee deep in water... ended up putting in a rebuilt long block.

 

[hitest1024]

Re: Boat taking on water- how to start fixing?

As requested- picture of the drive. Also, a picture of the bottom of the transom. Could this be the problem?
View attachment 115310View attachment 115311