Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

[Aussie Brian]

I Have a mid to late 80's model fibreglass Haines Hunter V17R, 17 foot long (I live in Australia).

My problem is every time I get back to the boat ramp after a day out fishing I have at least 5 to 10 litres (1.3 - 2.6 US gallons) of water, sometimes I think it may be even more, within the lower hull cavity.

It is a section without any access hatches only bung holes so I can not really see what is going on down there.

The keel seems fine with no cracks or major chips in it where it may be allowing water to get in, all bungs are near new, and always tightened firmly prior to going out, yet I still seem to have a lot of water getting into this section of the hull.... Why???

Any advice on where to start my fault finding would be very much appreciated!

Kind Regards,
Brian

 

[FastFission]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Do you have a live bait well, perhaps? You could have leakage in the plumbing to the well.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Probably coming in under the rub rail. It is a common entry point for water when it is splashed up under pressure.

Look in our restoration section and you will see pictures of boats with their "caps" removed.

 

[Sandbank]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Dont know where your bow trailer hitch point is mounted but if low may also be allowing water in around there.Give it a lickosiliconand see of that at least decreases the water volumne in.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Motor, Drive?

 

[Richardsix]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Mine does similar, have put it down to bow trailer eye and deck cleat.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

If you're an I/O there's a couple of places to start. Have you tried a different plug (bung)? I had one last year that seemed tight on land, but was seeping some water in while in water.

 

[Aussie Brian]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Hi Southkogs !

Thanks' to ALL that have posted potential areas to inspect though all these areas seem to be Ok...

I do think the most likely place may well be the plug's (bungs as we call them), as there is some very minor amount of scale build up around the thread and actual area where the plugs make the seal !

A very good clean up and a new type of soft-ish rubber type plug's I have seen at the local boat shops may well do the trick !!!

Great ! that is this weekends project...

Once again, Thank' for all the helpful information !!!

Kind Regrads,
Brian

 

[southkogs]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Brian, see if they have the twist type instead of the snap type. I found on mine that the snaps don't work well on my boat (work fine on other's I've had but not this one). That made a difference for me.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Yeah, I hear in the Land Downunder the water runs all backwards. Counterclockwise and such. Your bungplug may have the Norther Hemisphere clockwise threads, Crikey!

No worries, mate!

Just take a half of a decismijiliter of Vegemite, schmear it into the right-wise Northern threads, screw the bugger in, and you're as happy as a Koala sticking a boomerang up a Great White's bung, amirite!

FYI, my boat is stuck in the ice up here.

Actually, my vote is the rub rail idea. Doesn't take much, just a bit of separation especially at the bow end. The prow splits a wave, a bit of H2O zips up the gunnels and smacks into the rub rail, and a tablespoon sneaks inside a crack. One tablespoon for each wave.... it adds up. If you've checked everywhere, and found no leaks, this may be it.

EDIT: I just reread all the posts, only to discover that you have found the root of your problem. And that the problem is that you have a dirty bunghole! And you're looking forward to a weekend project of cleaning your bunghole to prepare it for a rubber plug.

Not too sure if I should ask for pics of that process...

 

[Aussie Brian]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

To southkogs - Thanks' again for your help and tips !

To jdlough - Now that you put it that way in regard to my dirty bung-hole...:facepalm:

It may be the case of your boat being in the ice and you've got too much time on your hands mate... All good !

Maybe you should come to the land down under and fish all year round!

Thanks' for the tip though, I will check the entire rub-rail for any signs of gaps and seal the entire area...

Thanks'

 

[oops!]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

bryan....you didnt mention what kind of motor /drive you have.....

this is important......that is alot of water for a bad drain leak......even though i am leaning toward the rub rail theory...(90 % of unknown water intrusion problems are from the rub rail)
this could be a leaky shift boot or a bellows problem....you would never know....and it would look like it was coming form the drain.

so if you can tell us if this is an out board motor or an I/O it would help us help you !

cheers
oops

 

[Aussie Brian]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

Hey oops!,

Your right, I didn't mention what type of drive it is... It's an out-board..

In relation to why you may think it's the rub rail leaking water in - If it was my rub rail letting in the water it would be visible within the inside of the boat before it made its way down to the lower cavity of the hull due to the floor being sealed right up to the side walls / hull form the inside. I cannot inspect the lower cavity of the hull due to no access hatches. Also, the engine mounting bolts are all also visible from inside the boat, top & bottom bolts, no leaks there. Same applies for the bow trailer hitch, all this area is visible, No live bait tank as yet either...

It is for this reason that I think it may be the plug's / bung's... ?

What are your suggestions now knowing this further information anyone ??? Thanks' !!!

Kind Regards,
Brian

 

[oops!]

Re: Water Getting into Hull ??? Why & How?

yep....you would......but sometimes its hard to spot.

most often.....it is on the transom of the outboards....when the splash wave hits the back of the boat after de acceleration.
this wont be easily visible due to the fact the splash well is there.

to test the garboard drain....,,,just float the boat.....dont start or run it....just float it and get your head down there to look...or you can use lights and a mirror to make it less uncomfortable.