Water trapped between Hull Layers

simsy · 23 September 2013, 10:20

Quicksilver Fibreglass rib, 4.1M 2010

Before I went out yesterday to could feel water trapped between the top and bottom of my hull. (maybe 20 -30 litres) I undid the small drain bung near the inside of my transom and lifted the bow, and lots of water come out. As the bung is to the right, there is still water trapped in there.
Maybe if I park sideways on a slop and try again all the water will come out.

I have screws into the deck, but all seem water tight to me. Where is the water getting in? Looked for holes in hull etc.

May take off trailer and inspect every thing. Where to look?

Frost will be here one day soon..... Sea water?

Exe treme · 23 September 2013, 16:55

Could you jack up one side of the trailer?

Poly · 23 September 2013, 18:41

Simsy, to find the leak attach a pump to the drain bung (once you've got the water out) and go round with soapy water. Join between deck and hull can leak on some boats. Anchor lockers, deck fittings and cable conduits are other common sources of ingress. If its very slow it may be nothing more than an inconvenience.

simsy · 23 September 2013, 21:34

Modest pressure on pump I guess, as massive surface area and force from air pressure between. I will give it a go. What pressure will be safe ?

I think I will have to lift the bow when it is jacked up, and it will fall off jack. Maybe the bow does not need to be very high? It's a light boat, maybe 250kg with motor, but still not easy to handle...

ShinyShoe · 23 September 2013, 22:02

I use a car tyre compressor (12V kind that makes a racket and you always think will explode before it ever inflates a tyre!) Connect the fittign to a piece of garden hose. Connect other end to bung. Use insulating tape to increase out diameter of the pipe if needed or plastecine it there.

Not sure what pressure. But not a lot. 0.5Bar would be loads.

I did this on a dinghy convinced the hatches or deck bond was failed to discover it was actually the bung fitting that had been fitted without sealant...!

Poly · 24 September 2013, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

I use a car tyre compressor (12V kind that makes a racket and you always think will explode before it ever inflates a tyre!) Connect the fittign to a piece of garden hose. Connect other end to bung. Use insulating tape to increase out diameter of the pipe if needed or plastecine it there.

Not sure what pressure. But not a lot. 0.5Bar would be loads.

I did this on a dinghy convinced the hatches or deck bond was failed to discover it was actually the bung fitting that had been fitted without sealant...!

Its likely to be more about volume here than pressure in order to help find a leak a long way from the inlet on a solid hull. Pump used for tubes should work - but if going electric airbed pump would be better that a car tyre compressor IMHO.

Happy Shopper · 30 September 2013, 20:32

That sounds like a great tip, I was rather alarmed at the amount of water that was pouring out of my new rib (new to me) I'll be employing that method shortly to see if I can seek out a leak or two!