I bought a '91 bayliner 2050 capri last year. I've had it out a few times and noticed that there is a small leak that i can't seem to find. The bellows are all new, the motor does not leak, re siliconed the tie down brackets, swim ladder bolts, etc... It still leaks.
What i have now found is that on the sides and rear of the boat there is a chrome trim piece. If i look inside, there seems to be dirt streaks by the rivets and bolts for that trim. It is also wet underneath a few of them, so i think i found the leak. Question is, how can that be leaking? The trim is above the water line. Has anyone else run into this? I'm not sure if taking off the trim to re-seal it would be opening a can of worms, of if i should just try siliconing around the rivets.
If these are your engine cowling vents you will get some water through them. Going over a wake, turning hard to one side or the other, etc. will introduce water in there. First off DO NOT use any type of silicone. It is an unreliable product and has no business on a boat - period!! 3M makes a good variety of bedding compounds that would be a lot more beneficial and longer lasting. Have you checked your cable bellows? Without having a look it really is hard to give you a definate answer but - again - do not use silicone. I'd be more than happy to send you a list of sealing products that would be a lot better - or go to the 3M web page and take a look around.
I don't think it is coming in the cowlings, but could be wrong. What I am talking about is the trim that goes all around the boat. In the pic, you can see the trim going above the swim ladder. That is where it seems to be leaking. Also, by silicone, I mean a marine grade sealant. Can't remember the brand i used. I guess i am used to calling all sealants like that, silicone.
That trim - or rub rail - is what holds your boat together. FRP boats are made in two pieces, a top ( or cap ) and the bottom. When they are joined together they lock over one another and are screwed through to fasten. When a piece of rubrail is either screwed or riveted on, a piece of rubber, rope, whatever is placed in that. So there you have a whole boat !!! Now, it could be that there is some delamination where the two units are joined. The only way to find that is by removing the rub rail insert and look at the condition of the screws. If loose or not caulked in good then quite possibly could be your problem. Not often - but it does happen - the two pieces (top & bottom ) have pulled apart due to getting slammed into a dock or piling and have a nice chunk missing or cracked. All you need to do is get a hose and start at the stern - with the bow up - and run some water on it. Obviously this is a two person job. Start running the water from the top of the rub rail all along one side, then try to force some water under the rail going the same way as first. If there's a leak you'll find it. If you have the leak narrowed down then just concentrate your attentions there. First top, then bottom. Let us know what you find.
Slow leak
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