help stopping leak

[mattttt25]

as the season approaches, need to solve a problem i had last year.<br /><br />1997 sunbird 200cc w/ 1998 150hp johnson.<br /><br />i have a slow leak somewhere. kept the boat in the water a few weeks last season. i'd use the boat one evening, and when i docked, turned the bilge on manual to ensure it was empty. i'd come back the next evening, turn on the bilge, and get 15 seconds of water coming out.<br /><br />i can't see the leak, tried staring in the bilge with a flashlight, but nothing. the hull is sound with no cracks. the only place i see that much water coming in is the drain plug or the aerator intake. my plan was to replace the through-hull on the aerator, and maybe put a few winds of tephlon on a new drain plug.<br /><br />any other ideas? how hard is it to replace a through-hull? thanks fellas-

 

[swampdog]

Re: help stopping leak

very easy to replace any boating dealer will carry this item usually it is a screw type pvc.<br />also you might be able to find a silicone called <br />goop it can be found at any hardware store it lays flat and is tough stuff try that and maby your problem will be ended.

 

[boatingfool]

Re: help stopping leak

Havent ever tried it but I have heard this approach more than once:<br /><br />Put the drain plug in and fill the bildge with water and then watch around the outside of the boat for leaks.<br /><br />The theory is if water can leak in it will leak out.

 

[crab bait]

Re: help stopping leak

BOATFOOL,, you have a good & valid idea..<br /><br />an by logic,,that would likely work..<br /><br />but for some reason,,water sometimes,, ain't that smart..<br /><br />a tiny ,tiny leak will leak in.. because of the boat's wieght/pressure sittin' in the water..<br /><br />when on a trailer,,say,,water leakin' out of the boat is not the same just by gravity...<br /><br />MATTTT,,water can be a real sob.. very hard to detect..or leaks thru here & surfaces way over yonder..<br /><br />but,,your on the rite track,,tho..

 

[boatingfool]

Re: help stopping leak

You to have a valid point but its still worth a shot.<br />The worse thing that could happen is you dont find the leak.<br /><br />Or you do.<br /><br />No harm done if you dont find the leak. Just pull the plug and you are back where you started.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: help stopping leak

Try baby powder or something similar dusted around suspect areas and look for water lines across the powder a few hours later.Might just work.

 

[Bondo]

Re: help stopping leak

The baby powder Idea, is a Great one.....<br />Filling the boat, On the trailer is Also a Great One... I've used this approach Many times..... Just be Sure Not to Over Do It.... At 8lbs per Gallon, It's Hard on the Trailer.... 50 gal.s is about enough... Just move the rig around the parking lot, to move the water to the suspected areas......

 

[mattttt25]

Re: help stopping leak

good ideas fellas, i knew i could count on you. i'll try the water in the bilge idea, but agree that it doesn't always work like we think it should. i still think i'll replace the whole drain assembly ($3 on iboats). any recommendations on installation? gasket? caulk? also, like i said before, i have a thru-hull right at the bottom of the boat for my baitwell intake. any ideas on how i can find a replacement assembly for that? haven't found one yet on the web. thanks again-

 

[manuelz]

Re: help stopping leak

Is your motor an I/O? if so, check the water pump/impellar or the rubber seal around the engine.<br /><br />You also may have a floor leak: My bro had an old "National" (I think) boat and it always had water in it or was dripping water out the back, even if it sat for a week, I went to his house with a small fiberglass repair kit and talked him into drilling a 1/4" hole in his Hull, there was so much water soaked into the styro filler cavity that it drained for 3 days and the next time he took his boat out...(A month later) IT ACTUALLY PLANED OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!<br /><br />No more calling his boat "POKEY"<br /><br />**Manuel Z**