1978 V20 Steplift trying to find leak?

[Wolf]

I have a 1978 V20 cuddy, Blue Runner is correct 8 to 10 gallons is insignificant. If you have a leak it can only becoming from a pretty major crack or from one or more thru hulls.As far as the fuel tank being unhooked it is about 99% chance the fuel tank is shot. The way to check for leaks is to pressurize the tank with compressed air it should hold 3 psi for 30 min. DO NOT exceed 3psi. I replaced my tank 2 years ago. Not to bad of a job of course the foam is a bit of a pain to dig out. If there is a lot of water in the bow it would cup up the cuddy drain. I live right down the road in Daytona Bch. If you would like we to email you a few pictures of my tank replacement private message me your email address.

[RWilson2526]

Welcome aboard....agree with the others that 10 gallons shouldnt do anything to performance....you might want to check though that you arent still carrying water in there....my boat doesnt start draining until i get it at least a 6x6 under the trailer jack stand and get it all the way up.....cant imagine that you are still carrying that much more water but its worth a look. If you noticed the boat sitting lower though I cant imagine what else it would be.

After checking the outside for the obvious get it nice and dry in there and next time you launch immediately open the hatch in the stern, lay on your bellly and get your head deep in there a with flashlight....you should either see it coming in somewhere back there or at least see it running from the bow into the back.

[i4110peter]

Welcome to the group. I have a '73 V20 Steplift. Mine is an I/O. I have always had water issues and not been able to locate source. I won't go out unless my bilge pump is functioning. I was out for the day Saturday and ran the pump 3 time to evacuate the water. I may try to find source of the leak this winter.

[lathehand]

Welcome to the site .Great choice on your first bigger boat. This is the best place to get all the info you'll need.
It may be possable possable water from storeage is trapped up under the cuddy.You may be able to look with a flash lite in the anchor rope locker and see if there is standing water.

[bradford]

Welcome to the Cult. Like others have said, I would check all the thru hulls carefully, as well as the engine mounting bolts, bow eye, livewell plumbing and if you have an access hatch in the splash well. Leaks usually don't get better with time. Glad you joined the site.

[reelapeelin]

If water was rough while you were out and doing turns, you could be taking water between the cap and hull...my old '74 separated that seam about mid ship and would get very wet turning in rough water...walk around the boat and actually try LIFTING the rub rail...I'm not saying pull out...lift UP...

Also, that's around the time Wellcraft started putting belly tanks in these boats...bow-heavy sounds like you might be getting water up front as BR and RW suggest thru a fitting and it's not draining UNDER the tank...lots of water staying up front could keep the bow down...

As suggested, look CLOSELY all under the hull along the lifting strakes for splits thru the hull...

If you have plastic thru-hull fittings that don't look bad from outside, get inside and wiggle the hose at the stem and make sure they aren't cracked at the flange...let us know how this comes out...

[randlemanboater]

If I remember right, some of the early V's had a marine head in the cabin with a through hull...am I right or just dreaming?

I'd get a handle on any water comming in before you spend much time on the water, and install a bildge pump pronto!...or at least wear your PFD.