Leaky boat

[dizzyspots]

So...just returned after a few days fishing in Baja....had to run the bilge pumps several times per day every day

at the end of the last day...after running the bilge pump till "empty" ...pulled the transom drain and lots of water still came out...

seas were flat...no known or obvious hull damage...

boat is a 75 Wellcraft Airslot 185

where to start looking?...diagnosing?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Mike

[bgreene]

Water intrusion can be difficult to track, but start with the most obvious and go from there:

1. All thru hull fittings
2. All near and below water accesses
3. The hull itself under close and complete inspection.
4. Transom and inside wells
5. Scuppers
6. Well pumps

[smokeonthewater]

Around drain plug

[scook]

If it's an I/O, check all the rubber going to the outdrive and if it has a heat exchanger, check the seal on the end caps. If you're down south it may never freeze but mine in Oregon did and it cost me $550 - and that was half the Mercury price, direct from the manufacturer.

[Destroyer]

All of the previous suggestions. Additionally, is the hull painted or bare. If it's painted, look carefully for any blisters on the hull with the paint around them cracked. Chances are that water could also be entering thru a cracked blister.

[jaysea]

if you trailer your boat,take it back to the ramp an slowly back it down the ramp an have someone watch till water starts to fill , than you know the height of the water leak

[dizzyspots]

Its an outboard...unpainted...and trailered but without a ramp nearby
I'll start by filling it with a hose and see where it goes
Thanks for the multiple replies..

Mike

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by dizzyspots

Its an outboard...unpainted...and trailered but without a ramp nearby
I'll start by filling it with a hose and see where it goes
Thanks for the multiple replies..

Mike

My bet is that it's going to be a thru-the-hull fitting. Unless you cracked the hull somehow (hitting a bump while trailering or slamming down in a wave trough) it's really the only logical leak point. Good luck with the leak detection.

[dizzyspots]

well...come to mention it...
enroute to Gonzaga Bay in Baja,,we dip hit a dip hard enough to lift the bow out of the bow chock on the trailer...
crawling under the boat doesnt show any obvious cracks

[dizzyspots]

So...washing the boat after the Baja trip...found what I think is the leak...found a 8 inch gash on the inside edge of the port "sponson"..definitely wide enough to take on water...just forward of the port seating area..
guess Ive got some fiberglass work ahead...glad its in an area accessible to me under the trailer...
Thinking it was caused by trailer rash..courtesy of my expert helmsman skills trying to load it in a Baja current and crosswind...:(

Cheers

Mike