Leaky Hull!!

[Sean]

With out fail ever trip last season by the end the bilge would start turn on for a bit, and @ the ramp a little more water then I'd like would pore out when I removed the plug. :o
Today a pressure washed most of the paint of the hull and I think I found the leak. To be sure it is the only leak/crack I was advised to wait for the hull to be bone dry, and then fill the entire bottom of the hull with water!! In theory the leak/crack will become moist and start dripping. The concept sounds like it would work, but the idea of filling my hull like a bath tub is not so appealing...
Once the crack/leak is located what is the best/easiest way to patch, MarineTex?
Any better ideas before I turn my V into a coy pound!
As always, thanks for your help/advise ;D

[Sean]

With out fail ever trip last season by the end the bilge would start turn on for a bit, and @ the ramp a little more water then I'd like would pore out when I removed the plug. :o
Today a pressure washed most of the paint of the hull and I think I found the leak. To be sure it is the only leak/crack I was advised to wait for the hull to be bone dry, and then fill the entire bottom of the hull with water!! In theory the leak/crack will become moist and start dripping. The concept sounds like it would work, but the idea of filling my hull like a bath tub is not so appealing...
Once the crack/leak is located what is the best/easiest way to patch, MarineTex?
Any better ideas before I turn my V into a coy pound!
As always, thanks for your help/advise ;D

[C YENSEN]

that is a tough one man. but if that is the only crack you can find, it has to be your problem. I would just fix that one, take her for a ride and see if you are still getting water in the bilge :-/

[C YENSEN]

that is a tough one man. but if that is the only crack you can find, it has to be your problem. I would just fix that one, take her for a ride and see if you are still getting water in the bilge :-/

[Stillrunning]

What is the size of the crack (hair line etc...) and how much water are we talking about (1 ,2, 3, gallons. For a crack to leak it would have to be cracked completly thru all the layers of fiberglass which I'd think would be very obvious. Many ways for water to enter the boat, waters already somewhere in the hull, leaking under the rub rail, thru hulls in splash well, etc... is the boat stored with the bow high enough to drain?

[Stillrunning]

What is the size of the crack (hair line etc...) and how much water are we talking about (1 ,2, 3, gallons. For a crack to leak it would have to be cracked completly thru all the layers of fiberglass which I'd think would be very obvious. Many ways for water to enter the boat, waters already somewhere in the hull, leaking under the rub rail, thru hulls in splash well, etc... is the boat stored with the bow high enough to drain?

[Sean]

It is a decent size crack, say about 4 inches long and a 1/2 inch thick and it is located just below the water line. In about a 6hr trip I would say about 3-5 gallons of water in the hull. The boat is stored bow high, and I even pull the plug before comming completely up the ramp to let it drain.
I was not to concerned last year as I trailer the boat, but I do have a opertunity to Pirate a morring this summer for a few days here and there and I would not want her to go down...

[Sean]

It is a decent size crack, say about 4 inches long and a 1/2 inch thick and it is located just below the water line. In about a 6hr trip I would say about 3-5 gallons of water in the hull. The boat is stored bow high, and I even pull the plug before comming completely up the ramp to let it drain.
I was not to concerned last year as I trailer the boat, but I do have a opertunity to Pirate a morring this summer for a few days here and there and I would not want her to go down...

[willy]

Sean something like this you have to literally make a check list and start a process of elimination.
1st determine each entrance exit you have for water on your boat. Check each one first, before doing any hull filling. Pay special attention to drain hoses, water pick up hoses, those draining your cockpit to thru hulls. Often times a cracked, dry rotted or loose fitting or hose leaks enough water to saturate or even fill the bildge during a day of fishing. Leaking live well and wash down valves hoses and connections have sunk boats sitting in the slip.
Often times you won't see a leak unless the water is under pressure as in the hull sitting in the water and the pressure against the outside of the hull, or a thru hull that is not deep enough to let water in until you are launched and have weight aboard.
2nd wait until the boat is sitting in the dark on a trailer and use a very strong light and stick it in every opening, inspection port thru hull area, suspected crack area and have someone look for the light from the outside. That one found a slow leak for me around a high speed pick up once where the bedding compound had dried and crumbled partly away.
3rd if all else fails do the water test, wait for the hull to dry in the sun or with a fan if indoors. Fill the bildge area with water after disconnecting the lead or somehow turning off the bildge pump.
You do not have to fill your whole boat, just put a lot into the under floor area with the boat tilted low on its trailer so that the water pressure is forward, if nothing tilt back so the weight pressure is to the rear of the hull.
4th If nothing comes of all this you can put plugs in each thru hull and see if the water still comes in.

9 times out of ten it is a malfunctioning thru hull valve connection or hose.
Good luck

[willy]

Sean something like this you have to literally make a check list and start a process of elimination.
1st determine each entrance exit you have for water on your boat. Check each one first, before doing any hull filling. Pay special attention to drain hoses, water pick up hoses, those draining your cockpit to thru hulls. Often times a cracked, dry rotted or loose fitting or hose leaks enough water to saturate or even fill the bildge during a day of fishing. Leaking live well and wash down valves hoses and connections have sunk boats sitting in the slip.
Often times you won't see a leak unless the water is under pressure as in the hull sitting in the water and the pressure against the outside of the hull, or a thru hull that is not deep enough to let water in until you are launched and have weight aboard.
2nd wait until the boat is sitting in the dark on a trailer and use a very strong light and stick it in every opening, inspection port thru hull area, suspected crack area and have someone look for the light from the outside. That one found a slow leak for me around a high speed pick up once where the bedding compound had dried and crumbled partly away.
3rd if all else fails do the water test, wait for the hull to dry in the sun or with a fan if indoors. Fill the bildge area with water after disconnecting the lead or somehow turning off the bildge pump.
You do not have to fill your whole boat, just put a lot into the under floor area with the boat tilted low on its trailer so that the water pressure is forward, if nothing tilt back so the weight pressure is to the rear of the hull.
4th If nothing comes of all this you can put plugs in each thru hull and see if the water still comes in.

9 times out of ten it is a malfunctioning thru hull valve connection or hose.
Good luck

[Blue_Runner]

See my post:

Patching a Crack in My '73
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Repairs;action=display;num=11756147 51
;)

[Blue_Runner]

See my post:

Patching a Crack in My '73
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Repairs;action=display;num=11756147 51
;)

[Stillrunning]

Thats a pretty good size crack and will need repairing regardless if its the problem. So start there and follow the link blue runner provided. If thats not it then go to plan B and do what willy sugested.

[Stillrunning]

Thats a pretty good size crack and will need repairing regardless if its the problem. So start there and follow the link blue runner provided. If thats not it then go to plan B and do what willy sugested.

[Sean]

Blue Runner, perfect timing on your post, I will follow the leader.
I will start by fixing the original crack, then follow Willys check list, great ideas there Willy ;D.
Then paint her and drop her in the ocean... and pray for the best.
Thanks!!!

[Sean]

Blue Runner, perfect timing on your post, I will follow the leader.
I will start by fixing the original crack, then follow Willys check list, great ideas there Willy ;D.
Then paint her and drop her in the ocean... and pray for the best.
Thanks!!!

[Sean]

Not done yet ;D
I know its not the major cause of the water, but I do have a soft spot right next to the hatch over the gas tank that is letting water seep into the tank area.
i assume that any water entering here will seep its way into the hull and out the bilge?
I am going to try and billed a support frame around the tank area to prevent the fluxuation in the floor that has caused the seel to break and let the water in.
Any body else ever have this problem? ???
Thanks!!!

[Sean]

Not done yet ;D
I know its not the major cause of the water, but I do have a soft spot right next to the hatch over the gas tank that is letting water seep into the tank area.
i assume that any water entering here will seep its way into the hull and out the bilge?
I am going to try and billed a support frame around the tank area to prevent the fluxuation in the floor that has caused the seel to break and let the water in.
Any body else ever have this problem? ???
Thanks!!!

[Blue_Runner]

I wouldn't fill you boat with water. *Holes and/or cracks are (most of the time) pretty obvious if you look carefully. *

Fix what you can see, cross fingers and launch. *You'll find out if you missed a spot.

I will be posting an update on my sanding and 2nd coat this evening with pix. *

[Blue_Runner]

I wouldn't fill you boat with water. *Holes and/or cracks are (most of the time) pretty obvious if you look carefully. *

Fix what you can see, cross fingers and launch. *You'll find out if you missed a spot.

I will be posting an update on my sanding and 2nd coat this evening with pix. *

[macojoe]

If it was me, I would fix that crack with glass, and sand then paint.
fillers are nice and will cover the crack, but when you are in the water breaking waves fillers will do little for streanth and just recrack.

As far as the leak, I had a screw that someone (before I owned the boat) used for a bilge pump and screwed it right threw the hull. well after years it rusted out and i had a 1/8 hole left behind.

It is amazing how much water I had in the boat at the end of the day!! :o

I just threw a hose in the boat and started to fill saw the leak right away!! Fixed it right up and dry as a bone now!!

Here is my thought, you are getting water in now right? So what is it going to hurt to put freash water in there now to find the leak?
What ever was going to get wet has already got wet from the leak and that was salt water.

Grind away the gel coat 3" away from the crack, add 3 layers of glass, each one larger the the last, sand and then top coat with paint or gel coat.

This will fix the crack, make it a strong fix, and will never come back.

Then level the boat throw the hose in and look for more leaks.

[macojoe]

If it was me, I would fix that crack with glass, and sand then paint.
fillers are nice and will cover the crack, but when you are in the water breaking waves fillers will do little for streanth and just recrack.

As far as the leak, I had a screw that someone (before I owned the boat) used for a bilge pump and screwed it right threw the hull. well after years it rusted out and i had a 1/8 hole left behind.

It is amazing how much water I had in the boat at the end of the day!! :o

I just threw a hose in the boat and started to fill saw the leak right away!! Fixed it right up and dry as a bone now!!

Here is my thought, you are getting water in now right? So what is it going to hurt to put freash water in there now to find the leak?
What ever was going to get wet has already got wet from the leak and that was salt water.

Grind away the gel coat 3" away from the crack, add 3 layers of glass, each one larger the the last, sand and then top coat with paint or gel coat.

This will fix the crack, make it a strong fix, and will never come back.

Then level the boat throw the hose in and look for more leaks.

[msbhammer]

Like the others said, check your rub rail. I checked mine and looks a little gappy in one spot. Gonna caulk her up when i get a chance or wait for this V20 get together and have everyone else work on it. LOL ;D

[msbhammer]

Like the others said, check your rub rail. I checked mine and looks a little gappy in one spot. Gonna caulk her up when i get a chance or wait for this V20 get together and have everyone else work on it. LOL ;D

[boatnluvr]

Here's a link I plagiarized to help remove water from flotation, I may do this as it seems effective, yet harmless. My gas tank is currently removed and should be a piece of cake.

http://www.helendalepublishing.com/drainwater.htm

[boatnluvr]

Here's a link I plagiarized to help remove water from flotation, I may do this as it seems effective, yet harmless. My gas tank is currently removed and should be a piece of cake.

http://www.helendalepublishing.com/drainwater.htm

[Stillrunning]

Not done yet *;D
I know its not the major cause of the water, but I do have a soft spot right next to the hatch over the gas tank that is letting water seep into the tank area.
i assume that any water entering here will seep its way into the hull and out the bilge?
I am going to try and billed a support frame around the tank area to prevent the fluxuation in the floor that has caused the seel to break and let the water in.
Any body else ever have this problem? ???
Thanks!!!Yes the water will end up in the bildge. Floor hatches do leak and my boat only has the front floor compartment which will stay dry on wet days. Are you sure the waters not coming from the spray into the boat or from washing down the boat while out. If you do have a wash down which you use durn the day just put in your plug wash down the boat ( garden hose)and see how much water ends up in your bildge.

[Stillrunning]

Not done yet *;D
I know its not the major cause of the water, but I do have a soft spot right next to the hatch over the gas tank that is letting water seep into the tank area.
i assume that any water entering here will seep its way into the hull and out the bilge?
I am going to try and billed a support frame around the tank area to prevent the fluxuation in the floor that has caused the seel to break and let the water in.
Any body else ever have this problem? ???
Thanks!!!Yes the water will end up in the bildge. Floor hatches do leak and my boat only has the front floor compartment which will stay dry on wet days. Are you sure the waters not coming from the spray into the boat or from washing down the boat while out. If you do have a wash down which you use durn the day just put in your plug wash down the boat ( garden hose)and see how much water ends up in your bildge.

[Blue_Runner]

If it was me, I would fix that crack with glass, and sand then paint.
fillers are nice and will cover the crack, but when you are in the water breaking waves fillers will do little for streanth and just recrack.

I see what you are saying but for a non structural gouge or small crack I think it can be done with filler with little to no likelyhood of recurring due to water pounding. A big crack that would be susceptible to flexing would be more of a worry IMO and I have actually seen those return from using filler.

I am not a glass guy and never will be ;D

[Blue_Runner]

If it was me, I would fix that crack with glass, and sand then paint.
fillers are nice and will cover the crack, but when you are in the water breaking waves fillers will do little for streanth and just recrack.

I see what you are saying but for a non structural gouge or small crack I think it can be done with filler with little to no likelyhood of recurring due to water pounding. A big crack that would be susceptible to flexing would be more of a worry IMO and I have actually seen those return from using filler.

I am not a glass guy and never will be ;D

[Sean]

Glassing it sound alright, can I just use resin and hardner in the crack or do I need to "dig out" the crack and refill with fiberglass?
Then i will put her in the water, if no water i will paint, but if it doesnt' help, I will follow Willys check list, then a last resort, fill her up...
Nothin easy, all I want todo is Fish? ;D
THnaks!!

[Sean]

Glassing it sound alright, can I just use resin and hardner in the crack or do I need to "dig out" the crack and refill with fiberglass?
Then i will put her in the water, if no water i will paint, but if it doesnt' help, I will follow Willys check list, then a last resort, fill her up...
Nothin easy, all I want todo is Fish? ;D
THnaks!!

[macojoe]

You need to grind all the gel coat off 3" all the way around the crack.
Then glass come cloth on a inch bigger then the crack, then a 2nd cloth a inch bigger, and then a third cloth a inch bigger, sand smooth and all set, top coat the way you want.

[macojoe]

You need to grind all the gel coat off 3" all the way around the crack.
Then glass come cloth on a inch bigger then the crack, then a 2nd cloth a inch bigger, and then a third cloth a inch bigger, sand smooth and all set, top coat the way you want.

[Sean]

perfect!
Thanks!

[Sean]

perfect!
Thanks!

[msbhammer]

I would also glass the inside as well, thats if you can reach it. ;)

[msbhammer]

I would also glass the inside as well, thats if you can reach it. ;)