Ribtec 655 drain plug

[Sloopinn]

I have a brass drain plug fitted in the hull of my rib as well as a drain sock my problem is I seem to have a leak as each time I go out say for just 4-6 hours when I get the boat out and remove the brass drain plug I've taken on average 2-3 gallons of water even if the boat has just been moored up. I've checked for all obvious places for a leak, hull tubes drain plug itself etc and can't find where it's getting in. My plan is to fill the cavity with expanding foam then re fit the brass drain plug in the hope the expanding foam will fill and seal this area and stop the water from entering the lower part of the hull. As I've said I have the sock for draining the deck and if I fill this cavity then surely no more water can get in there?? Any advice on this good idea / bad idea would be much appreciated

[Tim M]

Don't fill it with expanding foam!

You need to address the root cause of the problem - very often this sort of thing is caused by a poor seal around the drain plug, or the drain plug fitting (the metal part that the plug screws into). I would start by removing the plug fitting and re-sealing with a suitable sealant. Check that the plug itself is sealing properly as well.

Expanding foam will eventually start taking up water - you'll then be stuck with a load of water in there which you won't be able to get out. Whatever you do, don't fill it with foam!!

Good luck

[Sloopinn]

Even if I used waterproof foam, or as you say will it eventually become water absorbent? I've checked the plug and fitting and re sealed but still problem exists. Thanks for your reply.

[Tim M]

You're asking for long-term problems with foam. Find that leak!

[Sloopinn]

Point taken just frustrated no luck in finding leak

[gjepson]

With the boat out the water, fill the boat through the drain plug using a hosepipe get a good deal and build up some pressure. Youll find the leak if it's there.

[tom_20000]

Originally Posted by gjepson

With the boat out the water, fill the boat through the drain plug using a hosepipe get a good deal and build up some pressure. Youll find the leak if it's there.

[emoji106]
Alternatively, level the boat on the trailer, drain sock up. Fill the deck with water, couple of inches, and steadily blow compressed air into the drain bung. Spot the bubbles.

[Sloopinn]

Thanks for all your help and advice, taking my boat to be re tubed next week so once I get it back my plan is to fit the hose pipe up and go down that route. I also have a compressed air divers bottle so if it doesn't make itself obvious when I fill it with water will go down that route.
Thanks again regards Matt

[Andy_Rs600]

Definitely no foam...

Originally Posted by Sloopinn

even if the boat has just been moored up.

If the interior of the hull is flooding on a mooring with no rain or deck water then the leak is on the underside, so you can exclude deck fittings which should shorten the search!

Originally Posted by Sloopinn

I've checked for all obvious places for a leak, hull tubes drain plug itself etc and can't find where it's getting in.

Have you checked the bolts for the painter/bow towing eye if they don't back into the anchor locker? That's quite a common source of water ingress.

[beamishken]

Surely it would make sense to find the leak before you have the boat retubed it's always possible the leak is somewhere close to a tube tape and you really don't want to be lifting tapes to do a fibreglass repair

[Sloopinn]

Really can't see it coming in anywhere the tubes are. Where the transom meets the floor the lowest point where my bulge pump is there's a square hole that all my cables run through and steering rod I'm wondering if it's coming in through there?? The hose test should tell?
I hope not though as if it is inside that cavity not sure how I could stop it?

[MatFromPoland]

Do you have "Elephant Trunks".

One of it unglued or been not glued properly and it was source of small like for me.

When boat shakes on mooring or use on the water a small amount flows through this pipe.

Identify is very easy. Move these trunks up, enter garden pipe into enter of the pipe from boat and observe if you have any leak in Elephant Trunks.

I have made small path will test after winter again

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Please find on mentioned below picture source of mine "problems":

[Sloopinn]

You could have something there never thought of that one? My E trunk is fairly old so there's every chance it could have a split or some of the glue has come away. Will have a good look this weekend,thank you. Will let you all know after the weekend if I've had any luck.