Small leak in my 14ft aluminum sea nymph

[bigbass87]

I bought a 1976 14ft sea nymph 14r and I noticed after being on the water for about 2 hours I had about 2 cups or less of water in the back of my boat? I did rebuilt my transom with marine plywood and used 1/4" bolts with bond sealing washers. I didn't see any leaks around the transom and bolts. I noticed water up front though but when I go forward it all comes back to the back of the boat. Where might I find this small leak?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Small leak in my 14ft aluminum sea nymph

I bought a 1976 14ft sea nymph 14r and I noticed after being on the water for about 2 hours I had about 2 cups or less of water in the back of my boat? I did rebuilt my transom with marine plywood and used 1/4" bolts with bond sealing washers. I didn't see any leaks around the transom and bolts. I noticed water up front though but when I go forward it all comes back to the back of the boat. Where might I find this small leak?

Mine has had regular leaks from rivets in the bottom. I just seal them on the outside. This hull is also notorious for breaking midship ribs, so look in that area too. Luckily I have seen the broken ribs and sistered tem before the nearby seam came open.

 

[bigbass87]

Re: Small leak in my 14ft aluminum sea nymph

Mine has had regular leaks from rivets in the bottom. I just seal them on the outside. This hull is also notorious for breaking midship ribs, so look in that area too. Luckily I have seen the broken ribs and sistered tem before the nearby seam came open.

How did you Seal the rivets and broken ribs?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Small leak in my 14ft aluminum sea nymph

Weld the cracks/ribs......

Re-buck the rivets

Seal with gluvit

I will move this to restoration

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Small leak in my 14ft aluminum sea nymph

Gluvit is supposed to have paint over it, yes? What sort of point would one use on the inside of an aluminum boat?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Small leak in my 14ft aluminum sea nymph

Yes, you apply Gluvit to the interior seams of the boat then paint over it and/or cover it with a floor. Th main idea is to give it UV protection. There are several brands of paint, but lots of folks have good luck with good ol' aerosol rustoleum. You'll even see versions just for metals/aluminum. Also, any bare aluminum needs to be primed with a light dusting Zinc Chromate Self-etching primer. It's readily available in rattle can form at most auto parts and hardware stores. That's really about it.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Small leak in my 14ft aluminum sea nymph

Thanks!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Small leak in my 14ft aluminum sea nymph

Because of the particular spot the ribs break on this boat, I don't think welding is feasible. What I did was buy some 1/4" x 2" aluminum flatstock and cut it into 12" long pieces. Bent them in a vise to conform the the angle of the chine and sistered them in next to the broken ones using bolts. All sealing was done with underwtaer grade marine silicone. Works like a charm and lasts for years.