Water possible leak

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by pamacme

Hi,
I just purchased my 1977 V20 a month ago and put it in the water for the first time this past weekend. I left it over night and the next day there was a lot of water that had to be pumped out. I thought maybe it didn't drain well enough from when it was in my yard with all the rain as I drove it to the marina. Well the next day I came back and a bunch of water again that I had to pump out. This time I pulled the plug and put it back in and twisted it until it wouldn't twist any more. Well yesterday there was water again. Didn't seem to be as much but still water isn't good for a boat. I didn't see any cracks or delamination on the hull before putting it in. So I have no idea where the water is coming from. The only thing I can think of is to buy a new plug and try that. Any ideas?

Its a 77 so it doesn't have overboard drains in the deck, right?

I/O? could be leaking there...

Outboard motor?
The only thru hull fittings are the garboard drain plug(below water line) and the motor well drains(above water line) ?

You say "twisted the plug"...Is your garboard drain not a threaded bronze fitting? You use a rubber stopper?

No live well or other thru-hulls?
Transducers and/or trim tabs mounted on transom?

Do you have an automatic bilge pump?

How much is "a bunch of water"?

It is possible that you have blocked drainage in the stringers and it is seeping slowly to the stern. But, these hulls have a low point forward when the are just floating. All of the water will not run back to the stern until you are on plane.