Noob question hull cap separation?

[ashokrags]

Hello
I am concerned that I might have a hull so separation issue. Why I think this is because of two reasons
1) boat started listing a little to the starboard side. We couldn’t find any obvious water build up
2) recently was seeing some rust dripping out from the under rub rails and I could see that there were some locations where the caulk had come off

Some questions I have are :
1) Any insight as to how I would determine if this is the issue without removal of rub rails etc or is that just not possible?
2) How much time would it take to try and fix myself ? Any estimates would be great.
3) if I were to have it done by a shop what would I be expecting to pay for the same.

Any and all help will be appreciated. I will post some pics sometime next week once my boat is back from spring tune up.
Cheers
Ashok

[SkunkBoat]

if you think the boat is listing because of a leak in the seam under the rubrail, you need to look for water that is trapped and not draining to the rear bilge pump.

The list may be unrelated to the seam but you need to look for a cause.

You can remove the gunnel boxes. That will give you a look at some of it from the inside. You could have someone spray a hose at the rubrail while you look at the inside.

newer V20s had foam outside of the stringers. Old V20s did not have foam and the holes for bilge water could be clogged.

[phatdaddy]

Mine always list to whatever side i m standing on

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by ashokrags

Hello
I am concerned that I might have a hull so separation issue. Why I think this is because of two reasons
1) boat started listing a little to the starboard side. We couldn’t find any obvious water build up
2) recently was seeing some rust dripping out from the under rub rails and I could see that there were some locations where the caulk had come off

Some questions I have are :
1) Any insight as to how I would determine if this is the issue without removal of rub rails etc or is that just not possible?
2) How much time would it take to try and fix myself ? Any estimates would be great.
3) if I were to have it done by a shop what would I be expecting to pay for the same.

Any and all help will be appreciated. I will post some pics sometime next week once my boat is back from spring tune up.
Cheers
Ashok

My V-20 has a box that the passenger seat sits on, and the box has a drain that goes to a through hull. Several years ago I noticed a list to the port side at the dock and discovered that the hose fitting for this drain had cracked and was leaking. I check all my fittings regularly since then.

I'm not discounting your hull separation theory, only saying to look at any and all possibilities. I hope you're able to figure it out.

[ashokrags]

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

if you think the boat is listing because of a leak in the seam under the rubrail, you need to look for water that is trapped and not draining to the rear bilge pump.

The list may be unrelated to the seam but you need to look for a cause.

You can remove the gunnel boxes. That will give you a look at some of it from the inside. You could have someone spray a hose at the rubrail while you look at the inside.

newer V20s had foam outside of the stringers. Old V20s did not have foam and the holes for bilge water could be clogged.

This super helpful. As far as I tried there was no water trapped. The gunnel boxes have been covered up and I plan to remove to see whats inside this summer :) .. I looked again today and could only see the caulking missing where the rust was leaking and this is on a boat not in the water. The rust stream is from rain water.

I have a 1990 V20 .. does that have foam in the stringers? If there are clogs how would i go about clearing them up?

One thing to note is that my engine is on a bracket and that fills up with way more more water than the boat does. When i pull out and drop the drain plugs more water flows out of the bracket than the bilge even on a hill.

Could i just flex seal it? or is this question for another thread?

[ashokrags]

Originally Posted by Pipe_Dream

My V-20 has a box that the passenger seat sits on, and the box has a drain that goes to a through hull. Several years ago I noticed a list to the port side at the dock and discovered that the hose fitting for this drain had cracked and was leaking. I check all my fittings regularly since then.

I'm not discounting your hull separation theory, only saying to look at any and all possibilities. I hope you're able to figure it out.

thanks.. I also had this thought today of looking into the aft scuppers. I have one of those video snake things and might try to see If I can snake in from there or the bait box to check for trapped water

[Destroyer]

Yes, a 1990 has foam flotation built in. That foam, over several years time actually absorbs and holds water. Since the water is in the foam it's usually not noticeable until you start poking it with a stick or some tool. Water weights over 8 lbs a gal. When I removed the foam from my 1996 V21 I filled (2) 55 gal drums with it, and all of it was saturated. If you have a leak on one side and the foam is saturated on that side it could very easily cause a list. (Just something more to look at)

[ashokrags]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Yes, a 1990 has foam flotation built in. That foam, over several years time actually absorbs and holds water. Since the water is in the foam it's usually not noticeable until you start poking it with a stick or some tool. Water weights over 8 lbs a gal. When I removed the foam from my 1996 V21 I filled (2) 55 gal drums with it, and all of it was saturated. If you have a leak on one side and the foam is saturated on that side it could very easily cause a list. (Just something more to look at)

Thanks.
Will definitely look into that for sure. How would I access the foam? The only access points that I have are to the rear of the boat on the starboard hatch where the battery is stored. Also if it were the foam would that be noticeable suddenly. Last year it appeared that the listing started quite quickly after a couple of months and the boat seems to list less once I have it going on plane and cruising for an hour or so. On the flip side, I think this is the first time the boat has been in a slip on the water for the season. Would that be enough time for the foam to saturate?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by ashokrags

Thanks.
Will definitely look into that for sure. How would I access the foam? The only access points that I have are to the rear of the boat on the starboard hatch where the battery is stored. Also if it were the foam would that be noticeable suddenly. Last year it appeared that the listing started quite quickly after a couple of months and the boat seems to list less once I have it going on plane and cruising for an hour or so. On the flip side, I think this is the first time the boat has been in a slip on the water for the season. Would that be enough time for the foam to saturate?

Normally, NO. It usually takes several years for the foam to saturate. I think the only true way to accurately solve your problem is probably going to be to remove the cap. That way you can check all your drains, the foam, your hoses, etc. Yes, it's a job, but it's more tedious than hard.

[SkunkBoat]

I would do everything possible before removing the cap. That is the most difficult thing you could possibly do on a V20. That is a rebuild project.

You have a cuddy model right?
Two simple things you can do... two things you should have done the day after you bought it...

Remove the gunnel boxes/covers and look in there with your eyes, arms, and a camera.

Remove the fuel tank deck lid and look in there. The whole thing not just the round ports.

Possible under the passenger back-to-back seats you can get access or make access to see something