Water in Hull

[SBPD1717]

I recently purchased a 1988 Sun Runner 225 cruiser. The boat is in excellent condition. The other day while cleaning out the cabin I noticed a small inspection hole in the floor, when I shined a light into the hole I noticed water in the hull. There is no water in the bilge area, where could this water be entering from and how can I get in out of the boat and stop it from coming in?

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Water in Hull

first inspect the hull for cracks or chips in the<br />gelcoat that would allow water to get in. it could<br />be rain water or splash water from rough seas .<br />try to tip up the bow to get it to it to run back<br />to the bilge. look for soaked flotation foam.<br />it can add hundreds of pounds to weight of hull.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: Water in Hull

Where exactly in the boat was the water?Front back,etc..Was the boat in the water or on a trailer when you found it?

 

[SBPD1717]

Re: Water in Hull

Thankyou for the quick responses back. <br /><br />(93 evinrude): I noticed the water while the boat was in the water. The water seems to be more towards the front of the boat, actually directly under the cabin area. I contacted the marina where I purchased the boat and they told me that every boat takes in water in that area, he advised me to put some clorox bleach down there to mask some of the damp smell from the still water.<br /><br />M.Y.- I might have to check that since I have beached the boat in sand this summer. Have only beached it a few times (4-5). Could the sand do that much damage to the gel coat in that amount of time? I don't beach it at a fast speed just enough for it not to move back into the water.<br /><br />SBPD1717

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Water in Hull

only possiblilities here. 1) you're taking on water from a leak in the hull, 2)water is getting down through the deck into the hull.<br />hopefully it's number 2. try taking her out for a while at full speed and see if you can get it to move back to the bilge. If I were you, I would have her pulled and have the hull inspected.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: Water in Hull

I disagree that it is common for boats to take on water in that area.I suspect that it is water from rain,swimmers getting in and out or perhaps some water from the bilge area that has moved forward.Good idea to check the hull but I expect that the source of the leak(if there is one)is not from a leak up front but near the rear from seals,plug,engine or something else.Other possibilities if not from bilge area would be a leak in your plumbing or fresh water tank if you have any sink or toilet.I would also try to raise the nose somehow to see if the water drains back to the bilge as it should as there may be a blockage from the front to the back unless the area is below the level of the bilge.Beaching is not good for fiberglas but I doubt it has caused a leak unless you hit some stones or rocks in the sand.<br />As for removing the water;I suggest getting it out and keeping the area dry as moisture under the deck is never a good thing to have.Try using a small hand pump.Get it good and dry and see if it reappears, making sure that the bilge and other areas are also dry at the same time.It may not reappear.<br />By the way;how much water is there?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Water in Hull

What you describe is not unusual. Most builders put drain holes on the inside of the hull in any hull member that would act as a dam and trap water inside. Often the holes get plugged with "stuff". Check to see if you have these. Also it is always a good practice to store the boat with the bow high so that any water will flow to the back and out the transom hole.<br /><br />Use a wet/dry vac to empty what you have & you'll be able to quickly tell how much was trapped.<br /><br />You might also contact the builder and describe what you found & get their input. I have called the builder of my 14 year old Wellcraft and they were most happy to help.

 

[SBPD1717]

Re: Water in Hull

I agree I thought that was a little odd when he told me that "all boats take on water in that area" I did remove the water with a wet/dry vac and since the boat is still in the water I will just have to monitor the water and hope it doesn't come back in. There was I'd say atleast a cup or two of water that was removed. Also has anyone used a product from 3-M, my local boating center has a keel protector, it sells for $149.00 for 7 feet of it. Would this be worth purchasing?

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Water in Hull

1-2 cups ain't much, but it's enough to cause rot<br />over a long period of time. as long as you keep<br />your eye on it, I wouldn't worry too much unless<br />it's back in a few days. may be just some rain<br />water.<br />a keel gaurd is a good idea if your gonna beach<br />her once in a while.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[clanton]

Re: Water in Hull

Im not sure about, so check it out. The cabin has no drain to rear of boat, should have 2 bilge pumps, one for front, one for rear. The cabin area is sealed from rear bilge to block engine exhaust from cabin.

 

[amxalan]

Re: Water in Hull

I own a Sun Runner 230 that also has water in the flotation foam beneath the cabin floor.What is the fix???

 

[93bronco]

Re: Water in Hull

check your seal on the bow lite, bow eye & rub rail.<br />i had water leaking down from the bow lite.

 

[Link]

Re: Water in Hull

John<br /><br />If a boat is taking on water even in the transom area a lot of boats when sitting in the water or at trolling speeds will collect water there and the transom will be dry! Then when pulling the boat out on the ramp there will be a couple gallons of water come out. Happens to a friend of mine everytime he takes his boat out. The last time we took his boat out I took a cup of water and poured it into the transom and it all ran forward. Poor design I think but what the heck his fiberglass tree was built in the 60's. Turned out to be chips in the gel coat in his case. And one little bitty crack... <br /><br />Link

 

[amxalan]

Re: Water in Hull

The foam flotation on my Sunrunner is like the urathane foam used around the house .You know,the kind of insulation foam that comes in a can and when you spray it it expands? This what the hull is filled with below the inner fiberglass liner of my boat.It seems to be a common problem as I ask around. I still have not found anyoe who has fixed the problem.I know I need to find the source of the leak and stop that first.But that leaves the water in the flotation foam as originally described..It has rotted the plywood under the sole of the cabin to the point where the floor gives a little when I walk on it in some areas.

 

[Mike Langianese]

Re: Water in Hull

I am in the process of buying a boat and have no experience or direct knowledge; but I have been reading a lot, (searching the threads on the forum and magazines etc.) I don’t remember where I read it I believe it was in one of the boating magazines, talking about many boats that have the deck and hull screwed together. Seems that normal stress of use and the occasional bumping docks/pilings etc. will cause the screws to wallow out in their holes, the parts will separate and allow water to enter and collect in the area you describe. The fix was to remove the rub rail, re-screw the hull/deck together but be sure to put backing plates behind each screw then replace the rub rail. If I find the article I’ll post it.<br /><br />Mike

 

[Mike Langianese]

Re: Water in Hull

I found the link to the article, go to: Boat Buying Why not to use screws to see what I was trying to describe. I dont know why this wont hot link, I must be doing something wrong.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Water in Hull

Often, a boater will start up, and knowing it is clear behind him back away from the dock, or from shore, and never notice that he takes on a small amount of water over the transom, if he guns it a little in reverse. He often will find water in the boat, and not realize how it gets there. Also, sometimes a bumper will be left over the side, or a mooring rope may dangle over the back, splashing water inside, and not be noticed because you are always looking ahead when traveling at the speed that it happens.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Water in Hull

my old tin boat, the original Hydrophobia, always had a little water in her, not much, just a small puddle, and I started paying attention to any way that water could come in, and found quite a few ways<br /><br />just launching brought water in, feet wet, some splashing over the transom, then underway, the bow wake would blow in sometimes, anchor + rope drainage, etc etc, minnie bucket spillage, its everywhere<br /><br />dont sweat it unless your bilge pump is cycling like crazy trying to keep her dry

 

[Solittle]

Re: Water in Hull

amxalan - You need to start your own thread - New Post. We get confused real easy when trying to help one boater at a time let alone multiple problems from multiple people.

 

[SBPD1717]

Re: Water in Hull

ok after reading all the replies I think that most of the water is from the swimmers, etc. I have been monitoring the water in the boat just about every day. I notice that after a day at the lake entering and exiting it takes on a lot of water. Also I noticed when it rain heavy I get tremendous water in the bilge from the blower cowl vent on the rear of the boat (blowing in). I checked the hull for damage and it seems to be well intact. The water from inside the cabin actually drains to the bilge. Thanks for all your responses!