1978 V20 Steplift trying to find leak?

[steplift20]

I also have a

1978 steplift and i also get water but i cant find it just make sure your bilge is working and i also carry a big sponge and a large cup to get the water out

[reh76]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

To find a leak you could fill the hull with water and look for water coming out.

I did that once with a jon boat...the extra weight broke the trailer. I'm sure it was about to go anyway, but I sure was mad!!

[BeachBum]

Thanks for the welcome and all the very helpful replies, Visually I can't see anything noticeable as far as holes or cracks go. It is alittle questionable around the hook at the bow to crank her onto the trailer but the area that is rough around the bracket there does'nt look big enough to take on water and being above the water line probably not my leak. No luck with the previous owner as he is the 3rd owner and the fuel tank was disconnected when he purchased it. Tank is disconnected just before the transom all fuel lines are still there. Going to try and hose some water just below the cuddy cabin this weekend to see if I can spot a drip. The cuddy is bare with no cushions ect....
I think it once had a head many moons ago but it is since long gone. I will be putting one in eventually as time and funds become available.

I didn't get a chance to use the live wells on this being the maiden voyage but I aim to in the future. I'll look for the 2 screw holes aswell.

So it looks like my up and coming weekend is all mapped out.
1) Going to check external more closely and internally every nook and craney
2) 3 PSI fuel test
3) Buy a bilge pump (Any suggestions on what brand you guys use?)

My thoughts of the fuel tank being good is the same as mentioned by Wolf, it would make no sense that someone would have cut the fuel lines and ran an external hook-up if there were a perfectly good fuel tank on board. A question here though, I have been looking at fuel tank options with the thought that it is probably bad but there are so many diffrent options. What do you guys think? Aluminum or Plastic? Maybe some manufactuers are better than others? Internet stats say the boat has a 77 gallon. Any thoughts you guys can give will be greatly appreciated.

Thinking of doing something to protect the boat itself while these repairs are underway. Maybe wax or rubbing compound being that there is some cracking up top on the deck (just surface) but I would like to bring that and the hull back to life again externally if at all possible. Thanks everyone for all the info I am learning a ton about boating.

I don't think there is a better time to be had like that of being on the water with 200 ponnies galloping behind you :)

[reelapeelin]

BB...I ain't just sure about that 77 gal figure in yer post...'78 I THINK was the 1st yr they went to belly tanks in the V...and I BELIEVE it was a 40 gal, then went to 60 from 79 on thru the end of the V20/21 series in 96...

Look in the Links section of this Forum...there's a LOT of helpful stuff there including fuel tank manufacturers...but of course, before you order one, you need to find out what you got...

IF IT WAS ME, and you have an existing 40, I'd take a hard look at upgrading to a 60 ESPECIALLY w/those 200 ponies you mentioned...they're THIRSTY boys...I'm just getting into a 200 OMC myself and anticipate buyin' a lotta pushwater...

Are there plastic thru-hull fittings under the waterline in the front of the hull...you mentioned an earlier head...if so, check those fittings CLOSELY...

[awthacker]

Sorry I'm late but congrats on the V! I live in Jacksonville and restored my V last winter.

My 60 gal tank has a major leak under the barbed nipple that the fill hose connects to. It's got a band-aid fix, but still leaks and I plan to pull the floors and replace the tank this winter. I'm planning on an aluminum, but haven't started looking for the replacement yet. I'd like to find a way to go bigger... I put 51 gallons in it after an offshore lobster trip. With no fuel gauge, I was sweating it the whole way in but never mentioned it to my buddy's.

I bet the water was holding up front. A few leaves or some algae may have been blocking the PVC pipe that runs along the bottom of the hull, under the gas tank. Mine also refuses to drain completely without being jacked all the way up.

I go offshore alot, so I carry two bilge pumps. One is installed in the bilge and is double switched with a float in the bilge and a manual switch on the dash. The other is a spare with 10 ft of hose and alligator clips on the wires, so I can drop it in and run it directly off the battery in an emergency. Most offshore boaters would actually recommend a more eleborate system than mine, I think. Mine is a Rule... I don't remember GPM, but it was the middle size available at West Marine. My backup is an 8 gpm.

[BeachBum]

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Hey guys. Just had to much going on this week to work on my baby. I did manage to take a few pics though. I'm posting 2 but I have taken some of the underbelly and cuddy which I will resize and post tommorrow. Hope to get some time to get back you all later in the week. Praying for open seas soon.

[randlemanboater]

Nice looking boat. Looks pretty tropical wherever you are.

[BeachBum]

Hey all,
Found some time this past weekend to do some testing.
First I filled the under cuddy up with about 8-10 gallons of fresh water. And no leak. Next step was floating the boat and the leak emerged. Turns out that the to factory through holes to the right and left of the transom have lost there seal/life and is letting water in it took on exactly 12 gallons of water floating for 2 hrs. Somehow the water is making its way to the bow through some channel in the bottom of the boat.

Next I used a hand operated fuel pressure tester and put it to use, needless to say I was not suprised when it did'nt even hold pressure. Looks like a tank replacement is in my near future.

I don't have the funds right now for a decent bilge pump but that and a new tank and all the fix'ins to install are on my wish list.

Question: Has anyone ever altered the cuddy or floor on one of these boats to increase the size of the cuddy, this expansion is a later hope/dream/envision that we might turn it into some sort of small kitchen (very small lol) later in its life. Just throwing it out there?

On a side note would anybody happen to have the dimensions/specs for the 1978 V20, my wife and I are discussing a Bimini and potty later on after the major repairs are complete and I would like to get some dreaming oh I mean pricing done on a few items and those specs would come in mighty handy. I have taken some of the measurements myself but they are ruff at best.

Thanks in advance for all the help guys.

[BeachBum]

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[Blue_Runner]

Cool, glad you found the main source of the leak. Sounds pretty substantial.

Instead of enlarging the cuddy, get a full enclosure. For cooking there are all sorts of propane (or elecric if dockside power) grills to choose from. Leave the cuddy for stowing and snoozin. Just an idea.