Need to find small leak
 

When I was out last Sunday (with the grandkids no less), after about an hour of fishing (anchored), the bildge pump switched on and good amount of water was pumped out (that when we decided to go in). The boat always seemed to let a little water in but not that much.

When I got home I put about a half a foot of water (boat bow raised), and I not see any obvious leaks.

The bellows looks and feels great.

http://campl.us/gFBjS9Drp8u

When I put the outdrive on, I do not use sealant on the main gasket like the PO did. I though with a new gasket properly torqued down it shouldn't leak (esp that much). Am I wrong?

I am thinking I am going to need to pull the battery and really fill it with water to find the leak?

rkc

Its a long shot and may not be worth a damn but sometimes you can take an eyedropper and fill it with milk. Place a drop or two about every foot you can access. The milks viscosity will hold it together and "search out" the leak. Ive done it in my small boat as well as pond liners to find a leak.....

move the battery and fill her up. mno tilt of bow cause you may have a leak up front?? how was the water ride?? i use to get a bunch of water from under the rub rail when under way, as the caulk was all shot!

What MJ said is how i found leaks before. Disconnect the batteries, put the plug in, and fill the bilge up.

go back and look at your bellows again, especially the shift cable bellows, tug on it a bit, make sure it doesn't have a split in it

It was a little choppy but don't think we had too much water up near the rail. Plus we sat there for an hour and then the pump went off.

hmmm, I just assumed it would be in the rear somewhere. I won't jack up the front too much then.

I should be fishing instead of working on the boat :(

Thanks everyone.

rkc

RKC...check all yer thru-hull fittings, too....mine are plastic on the '84 and although they are new, always subject to cracking...

Found it!

It was where the depthfinder cable went through the transom.

Glad it was a cheap an easy fix.

rkc

Good deal!! Now 5200 the schizz outta that monkey:party::party:

...:you::you::you: LMFAO!!

RKC...glad ya found yer leak...the easy way...