1996 Sea Nymph need hekp

[setterman]

I am a newbie and need some advice in removing flooring from 1996 sea nymph 165 to locate leak which appears to be either traveiling along the keel plate to the bow or it is in the bow. I had leveled the boat and filled with water and the water only dripped at the bow area where the keel plate ends. There was no other sign of leakage. It has a walk through windshield and raised fishing platforms on the bow and stern. When first thinking about removing decking (which is in good shape) it looks like there are phillips head screws and rivits.

1. My question is are the rivits for the carpeting or do the fasten to the hull?

2. When starting this endeavor any advice or should I do as someone suggested to me to cut an 8" or 10 " hole in decking and install a plastic access plate in the bow area and with the bow slightly lowered I would be able to fill with water slowly and determine if the rivets in that area are the problem and then work slowly work back to the stern.

I have to admit I am a little apprehensive about the rivits as I have never worked with them before. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[halas]

Re: 1996 Sea Nymph need hekp

If your floor is in good shape don't remove it.
Strip the bellow waterline outside of hull and treat all the rivets with the famous Gluvit product.

 

[setterman]

Re: 1996 Sea Nymph need hekp

I was told that gluvit had to be applied from the inside or with the boat flipped over. Boat is way to heavy.
Will the guvit work if applied from the outside?

 

[halas]

Re: 1996 Sea Nymph need hekp

Use paint stripper to clean the paint off the rivets and seams.
I like to use pressure washer and it may be a good idea to rent one if one have to.
It really cleans out around the rivets like nothing else.
Let it dry completely, then apply the gluvit with a mini roller (not foam roller).
You will be happy with the results. You don't need to complete removal like the picture, only by the rivets and seams bellow the water line If yours is not primed the stripping will be much faster.
Some manufacturers like Starcraft did not zinc chromate prime the bottom of some boats so that the bottom paint could be easier removed and reapplied for those who use bottom paint.
Please notice the line and the cleaner shinier bottom.

 

[setterman]

Re: 1996 Sea Nymph need hekp

Thanks for the advice, the hull is not painted so that makes it easier. I thought since i discovered the leak after a rain where the back part of the cover blew off that I would have to do it from the inside. The water was dripping from the front part at the bow where the keel plate ends. I could not find any other leaks externally. Maybe doing it as you suggested will work. I guess I will have to wait for warmer weather as it is cold here in Connecticut.