urgent help screw holes in bilge

[bolo789]

hey guys how yall doing, i was instaling a bilge pump in my friend boat, i use two screws to hold down the clip for the pump, today i went back to place the pump in a new location, when i pull the screws out water start coming in from both screw holes. how can i fix the leaks with the boat still in the water??<br /><br />for now i put some epoxy on the same screws and put them back in, that stop the leak for now, is it safe to go fishing like that??<br /><br /><br />please someone help me on this one please<br /><br /><br />bolo

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: urgent help screw holes in bilge

That is exactly how to fix it for now.As long as the screws went in tightly and did not go in loose you will be fine.I would get the top of the screws nice and clean and dry and either put some more epoxy over the top of them or some 5200 sealant.Both probably overkill but better to be safe than sorry.Charlie

 

[tommays]

Re: urgent help screw holes in bilge

i am a littel confused but it sounds like you drilled two holes through the hull???or the screws were so long they went through<br /><br />if there not leaking you are safe for the short term but water will be forceing its way into places and could start to cause a rot or gelcoat blister problem<br /><br />they should be sealed correctly from the outside to stop any long term problems<br /><br />tommays

 

[bolo789]

Re: urgent help screw holes in bilge

thanks guys for the fast respond, the boat will come out in early december can i take the chance ??? also the two screws that cause the hole i replace them with a little larger one they also much shorter. what kind of epoxy to use for now??<br /><br /><br />bolo thanks much

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: urgent help screw holes in bilge

You dont even need epoxy if you went with larger screws and if it is not leaking.Any epoxy like a marine tex or a 2 pary epoxy stick that is sold at auto parts store or you can use some 3m 5200 caulk type sealant.This would be the best for this type of repair.Dont worry about it.Enjoy the boat until you can fix it in the spring.Wait for warm weather to do the repair right.Charlie

 

[bolo789]

Re: urgent help screw holes in bilge

thanks guys. we are going to pull the boat for the season, we have to pull the engine anyway cause of a oil leak from the oil pan got rotten out. so how do we plug the holes from the out side now that it not in the water no more??<br /><br />thanks again