Bildge drain possible leak?

[Throttle-junky]

First, thanks for the sight. When I started researching My V20 I was more than suprised to find an entire websight devoted to it! I have a 1972 20' w/ a '79 merc 150 with about 5 hours on the rebuilt motor. I will get some pictures up soon enough. I have taken in small amounts of water sitting out on Lake Erie. I noticed the actual sleeve the bildge plug goes into has a small gap and the collar does not actually sit fluch aginst the boat. It's the same style as Drgn3's drain.
Can I just put some 5200 behind the collar and gently tap a 2x4 with a mallet to drive her home?
My old man tells me not to worry about it, and it seems every boat magically takes on some water, but it has become a mission.
Plus i didn't wire in the bildge pump yet (I know I know)
Also a small gouge in the gelcoat below the water line. Fiberglass not damaged, but a small chunk of gel is missing.....Will water creep through undamaged glass? Should I treat the gel repair as neccessary and not just a cosmetic flaw?

[Blue_Runner]

1st - welcome! *I'm no fiberglass guy but hope to be one soon by necessity *::) *but I think the gouge needs to be addressed. *It could wick up into the fiberglass and delaminate it and or make its way into surrounding wooden structures. *Guys on here use Formula 27 or Marinetex or similar stuff but you'll need to seal it up with some paint or epoxy because I know Marintex does absorb water.

Then again all of this is my inexperience overreaction because I cannot see the area you are talking about.

[C YENSEN]

welcome aboard.....

as far as your issues, there are may here who can clear things up. one of the best is Skools Out, I am sure he will be along shortly. ;D

[tsubaki]

Welcome to the site.
The gelcoat gouge can be repairedwith Marine Tex two part epoxy. The bilge problem is a decision maker.
Usually if it leaks, the plug sleeve needs replaceing.
There is probably too much moisture for 5200 to be effective but 4200 might work.
Tapping on the existing one might seat it or damage it worse.
Decisions, decisions.

[macojoe]

welcome!!

If it was me, I would use Marine Tex for a small area and Formula 27 for a large are in the gel coat repair.
But you will have to seal it with paint or something.

The Bildge sleve is best grabed with som pliers and yank it out!!
You have to look for water intursion, and if there is any damage to the wood.
After that I would use some 5200 to coat the suronding area to seal the wood from any other water getting in there.
I would then mount a screw type plug holder, 3 screws hold the base on and then a screw in plug. Use lots of 5200 and let dry well, and Never worry again.

Good Luck!

[Mac_Attack]

Welcome to the site! Do like they said. Where on Lake Erie are you? I'm on the North shore near Colchester ONT. Billy Mac ;D

[msbhammer]

Welcome to the site. Just do what the other cult members say to do and you will be fine., but just dont drink our cult CoolAide. ;D

[bradford]

Anyone need a refill on their green kool-aid?

You should probably do something about it, but keep in mind if you yank it out you have to close it back up and only God knows what you're gonna find in the lower part of a transom that is 35 years old. what i'm saying is don't do it friday night before you plan to take your buddies fishing the next morning cause it could be a bigger project than it seems!

[tsubaki]

Like MJ's approach.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/untitled.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/1.jpg
This is where they came from. Lots of choices.
http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Drain_Plugs/dm/category_id.257673--cart_id.395169475--session_id.926506872--view_id.257673--search_type.category

[reelapeelin]

I agree with changin' out the drain plug to screw-in, but go metal, not plastic ... may work for a while, but it'll haunt you later... most of us have learned, if yer gonna fix something, fix it ONCE and for good ;) ...


Plus, when you pull the old tube out, before you seal it, turn a fan on it and allow the wood to DRY OUT good ...

[franco477]

I think I have the same problem. I have some questions:

How long should you leave the old plug out prior to reinstalling?

What is the drying time for the sealants recommended?

and finally what is an easy way to check the bellows on the outdrive for leaks?

[Throttle-junky]

I'm just East of Cleveland.
Thanks for the help.

[randlemanboater2]

I think I have the same problem. *I have some questions:

How long should you leave the old plug out prior to reinstalling?

What is the drying time for the sealants recommended?

and finally what is an easy way to check the bellows on the outdrive for leaks?

It could take weeks to get the transom dry if it is only a little wet, if it is soaked, it should be dry by this time next year, if you park it in a green house so the sun gets on it but rain doesnt.

4200 = 1 day cure time
5200 = 1 week

Bellows? I have an OB, sorry.

[tsubaki]

Look at this and see if you can seal still damp or not.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/Picture111.jpg

[Throttle-junky]

It wasn't out that far or missing, maybe not even leaking. Just going through the boat doing things that look like should be done. It was in there solid, the collar just had a slight space maybe a 1/16th inbetween it and the boat. I got the 4200 from wally world and seated it. got a bilge pump out at boaters world too
Gelcoat repair to follow.
I'll order the newer style tube to be safe.

[tsubaki]

Go ahead and throw away the 4200. Read the back "once opened, will harden". Better yet let us know how long it takes. ;D

[macojoe]

Use the brass screw in!! And I would have pulled that sleve!! if it moved and had a little gap, it had water in it!!
Better fix now then hole transom later!!

5200 will dry in 3 days and is made for below water so you can use the next day! Never had a problem ;)

Do it right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That job is like 1 hour and cheap!!

[randlemanboater2]

Go ahead and throw away the 4200. Read the back "once opened, will harden". Better yet let us know how long it takes. ;D


I opened some 4200 2 months ago and just used some of it last week, I did have to dig the cured stuff out of the tube opening, but it was fine otherwise.

[franco477]

I think I found my leak. I pulled the brass drain and half of the sealant stuck to the hull and look as if it had been that way awhile. I bought a tube of 5200, dried out the hole and dried the excess water out of the bilge and hopefully got a good seal when I reinstalled the drain. I appriciate all of the input you all gave me. Feels good to know you can get help when you need it. ;D