Water possible leak

pamacme · #1 10-09-2018, 11:04 AM

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?

scook · #2 10-09-2018, 11:28 PM

If it’s an I/O, could be the rubber between the transom and the outdrive.

Destroyer · #3 10-09-2018, 11:55 PM

Hi. Welcome to the site. Like Scook said, if it's an I/O check the rubber bellows where the outdrive mounts to the engine. Additionally check any and all holes in the hull (Raw water washdown, cooling water for the engine, hoses, etc. ANY place that an old plastic fitting might have cracked and started letting water in) It's always a good idea to replace all plastic hose fittings with metal ones. Brass, Bronze or Stainless Steel only.

SkunkBoat · #4 10-10-2018, 06:35 AM

Quote:

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.

steplift20 · #5 10-12-2018, 12:05 AM

What you could do is if you can get it out onto a trailer and make sure the bottom is dry then start filling it with water and if there is a crack in the hull you would see the water coming out that's one way to check it

garbubba · #6 10-30-2018, 10:12 PM

When sitting on a trailer a V-20 bow holds water unless you lift the tongue WAY up. when you launch it the water moves to the stern. Make sure it's leaking before you go too far.

CaptJaredV20 · #7 11-06-2018, 08:57 PM

Agree, add a little water inside the boat while its on the trailer and see where it’s coming from. Do you have any livewells running while it was parked over night in the marina