Determining a leak that almost sank my boat?

[S. Todd]

I don't know the age of your boat, but others, especially those that reside in salt water, have had issues with the screws and bolts mounting the exhaust outlet to the hull corroding away. I would look in that area for a slow leak also because that is a fitting below the water line. You should be able to see or feel a leak at that point. There are lots of mounting bolts on the transom for the swim step and trim tabs all of which should be visible and could be potential sources for minor leaks.

 

[Levitation]

For clearing clogged limber holes, an unfolded wire clothes hangar is a handy tool.

 

[HawaiianFish]

S.Todd thank you, I hadn’t considered that, but unfortunately sounds very plausible, i will check today.
Levitation, I am now on the hunt for a wire hanger, we only have plastic and wood.

 

[Toucan]

Our boat developed a small leak that I was not able to easily find. When on the trailer, I parked the boat bow-up on a driveway which had a good slope. I filled the inside of the rear section of the hull with water. There were two sources of water leaking out. The smaller leak was where the stern thruster went through the transom. The larger leak was both sides of the joint between the main hull and the separate section that contained the shaft log. There are two visible bolt heads aft of the shaft log in the bilge that I think attach this section to the hull. I attempted to remove these bolts so that I could remove the shaft log section, clean and re-bed the joint. The bolts did not want to easily unscrew and I did not want to shear them off. I had a boat yard remove the bottom paint around the joint and seal the joint on the outside of the hull.

Barry Thompson
TOUCAN, R-27 Classic

 

[blifland]

RE: S.Todd: "2015 R25SC we developed a leak at the stern thruster...couple of the bolts were bent in..."

Our 2011 R25SC had the same problem - bent bolts holding stern thruster - plus no caulk on bolts. I replaced the bolts but still had small leak on the round fiberglass assembly that holds the thruster housing to transom. Not wanting to tackle the bolts again - I used 5200 around the outside - leaking stopped - been maybe 5 years now. Prior to finding the leak-I installed an auto bilge pump in the thruster well - and am keeping it there. I mailed the bent bolts to Andrew as he said he never heard of this type problem?
Barry "Keep On Tuggin"