Water Intrusion! Help!

[dabrackmaster]

Okay guys, bought my 86 stratos 365v bass boat in April. Floor had been replaced and new carpet. Started with a leak from old t-ducer holes I forgot to fill. Fixed after first trip. Weeks later slight leak from strap eyelets on transom. Fixed it asap. Problem, the bow winch eyelet was noticeably loose after 3hr drive to fishing hole. Tried patching but don't think it helped.
Same load in boat as usual, gear, people bait, beer, ice etc. But soon as I let out of the throttle the bow almost nose dived under water. Also boat felt like a load of steel blocks on the way home.....
NO WATER IN THE BILGE after the normal couple gallons let out at the ramp.
Hoping I didn't just bite the bullet on a cap off re foam job.

Now I've got bow propped a good 5ft in the air, was heeeaaaavy trying to lift the tongue up that high.
Got almost 3 gallons immediately, but now it's slowed to a steady trickle.

ideas?

 

[dabrackmaster]

Also, anyone know right off what size the nuts are on the bow eyelet? So I can get a ratchet in there and fix that NOW

 

[Grub54891]

Looks to be a glass boat from what I looked up. You have saturated foam. Replacing the floor without replacing the stringers, bad idea. They rot from the bottom up, the floor is the last to rot. If the eyelets on the transom are loose, the transom is bad also. Check the transom for rot also. We can help/advise how to fix it up, it just takes time and $$ to get it done.
On mine I removed a good 200 lbs of saturated foam, along with all the rotten wood.

 

[Woodonglass]

I agree everything under the deck is Waterlogged and that can easily add 5-600 lbs of weight. I'm afraid you have a total gut and rebuild ahead of you if you keep this boat.

 

[sheboyganjohn]

NO WATER IN THE BILGE after the normal couple gallons let out at the ramp.

Unless you are spilling water in the boat or tracking it in swimming, a couple gallons let out when you get back should not be normal.

 

[Woodonglass]

I agree, NO water should come out of your boat except for what YOU put in on purpose.

 

[Scott Danforth]

33 year old boat (mid 80s boats are worst) with loose hardware and water leaking....full gut and restorationis in your future

 

[dabrackmaster]

Fears confirmed from the assessments yaw have for me......the P.O. replaced the floor section and recarpeted, I foolishly assumed they didn't seal ...around the edges to allow water to escape....smdh I'm praying I can pull just the floor section.
but if it's further in I'll dig deeper.
The bow lockers are absolutely bone dry I do know that. Fresh roll of Angel soft after a 2 day trial was still completely dry.
I'll dig into it and get some solid pictures posted up for more insight.
it will be a couple days, Florence is supposed to arrive here in Upstate,SC in the morning..
BTW although too late it's still taped to prevent further neglect

 

[Scott Danforth]

You bought a boat that suffers from POD that suffers from a deck over?

Full gut and restore is your nwxt step

 

[dabrackmaster]

Agreed. Gonna keep the load light, finish up this season, then begin possibly the biggest challenge I've ever attempted on anything with an engine.

once I begin, I rest assured that I have a wealth of support from the forum and our members.

thanks Scott, and to everyone that helps me see thru the fog.

 

[dafjib]

Have a hydrasport vl 270 sx ,taking on water ,no holes is the bait, live well supposed to drain into the hull ?

 

[Redtruck12]

I have never had a boat with a live well BUT am sure it does NOT!
Pretty sure they pump out above the waterline.

 

[dabrackmaster]

Alright I've got great news! Pulled the center floor section, ALL DRY anywhere I looked, checked, perfect!
Stringers still dry and the foam is all good.
After going to the local truck stop and doing a weigh in I had a better understanding of the issue.

Boat without trailer is supposed to weigh 1350
trailer empty is supposed to weigh 1100
total weight supposed to be 2450
Recorded weight at scales was 2600 boat and trlr

Turned out, too much gear from an overprepated buddy plus my normal in boat gear just made it too heavy.
Trip to the lake yesterday after fixing the winxh eye, and the two strap eyes on the transom.
Holeshot less than 3 seconds and here's my speed/tach numbers

42.4mph@5100rpm WOT
aluminum prop 13in × 17p

I consider myself lucky and now have a new boat and engine cover.
Let this scare for me be a lesson to others.
know your gear weight, know your passenger weight, and always ....ALWAYS, keep it covered

 

[Woodonglass]

Looking at stringers and foam tells you NOTHING. the Only way to know for sure is to core sample both. Not saying there bad just saying visual inspection tells you nothing

 

[dabrackmaster]

After some long contemplation of keeping what's good and ditching the hull, I believe I'm going to just finish the season, and still continue with removing the entire top half and do things the right way.

Plus a new rub rail, and sand, buff, wax, I believe that in the spring I'll have something to be very proud of.

 

[chevymaher]

Yes you will and good choice.