Water leakage

[BrandonC83]

Finally got the boat fixed up - Have noticed a small water leak inside the engine compartment. I've heard two stories on this: some say don't worry it's normal for an old boat and I've heard the term "packing box" threw around and then some people say no not normal, their boat doesn't leak at all - but those people have much newer boats.

The leak seems to be coming from around the steering shaft - I can see the water trickling from here. It's not a lot but I leave my boat in a slip 24/7 so it is worrisome.

Boat is an 86 bayliner ciera sunbridge - with volvo penta engine, and outdrive.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Water leakage

Water is supposed to stay outside.

I've got a leak on mine as well where my steering arm passes through my transom. Have been fighting with it for a couple years. Not sure how yours is rigged, but if it's passing through an area where the wood is exposed you've got bigger problem. Mine is passing in between a plastic "ball" and a metal sleeve (old OMC steering system), so it's not quite as bad ... but ya' wanna' fix it.

Got pictures of where it's leaking?

 

[pckeen]

Re: Water leakage

Ditto - not normal for a boat to leak. Needs to be fixed.

 

[BrandonC83]

Re: Water leakage

I don't think there is any wood on my boat I think it's all fiberglass. I'm wondering if something just needs to be grease filled up.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Water leakage

I don't think an 86 bayliner is wood-free.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Water leakage

I don't think an 86 bayliner is wood-free.

LOL, yeah - not generally a sellin' point for 'em.

Post a couple of pictures Brandon. That'll help out.

 

[saumon]

Re: Water leakage

I don't think an 86 bayliner is wood-free.

Not when built, but by now, it may be wood-free...or almost!

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Water leakage

Marine Sealant can be a boater's best friend

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Water leakage

There is wood behind all that fiberglass. and at almost 30 years old, the 'glass is probably holding the rest of the wood together.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Water leakage

Not when built, but by now, it may be wood-free...or almost!

There is wood behind all that fiberglass. and at almost 30 years old, the 'glass is probably holding the rest of the wood together.

- don't panic Brandon. That's just poking fun at "maybes."

There's wood in your boat, and it's old wood. If it's been relatively cared for it may be just fine. If it's been abused, there's a reasonable chance of rot. Don't know until you check it out.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Water leakage

2012 Bayliners have wood in the transom. There is a thread where 2 of them are wet already. During the '80s Bayliner earned their bad reputation (and have done little to change it). Chances are your transom may have been replaced correctly long ago....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Water leakage

Very possible you have a bad transom. You need to stick a camera down there to see exactly where it's leaking.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Water leakage

The leak seems to be coming from around the steering shaft - I can see the water trickling from here. It's not a lot but I leave my boat in a slip 24/7 so it is worrisome.

I had a boat with an older VP that was leaking around the steering shaft. if my memory serves me correctly, I fought the leak for years until I tightened the housing that steering arm slid into (so it wouldn't slide back out a mm and allow for the leak again). something like a splined rod into a coupler that was tightened (but wouldn't tighten enough)

again, memory and years ago

 

[NYBo]

Re: Water leakage

Your boat doesn't have a packing box. That's a part on inboards; you have an inboard/outboard. a.k.a. sterdrive.

Check the bellows on the outdrive. They are a frequent source of leaks.