Water Leak Help

[jhl1963]

Hi guys, getting lots of water into my hull ( 2 cups + ) - I have to get a syringe to do the pressure test on the lines but hoping I can get a head start from you experts: given the volume what is the likelihood its the cooling jacket or stuffing tube (I'm not running a piece of fuel tubing on the collet end but have shrink wrap on the strut end) ? I'm running zip ties on the cooling lines...I'm using the large OSE tubing, wondering if I should step down? (NEU 1527/SF 240/ twin input speed master rudder).. I don't think its the hull or hatch - passes the bathtub test.


Thanks guys

[capnswanny]

Water jacket is likely. With that amount of water should be a large leak. Try plugging the outlet with your finger, pulling off one tube and blowing through it with your mouth. You may have to use your third hand to pinch off the other water inlet hose from your dual outlet to isolate.
If there's still some water in the system even better...it'll sputter and hiss.
Pictures of setup always help.

[tlandauer]

What strut/stinger are you using? The only time which I experienced something similar was on my Pursuit: it has a Chinese stinger that had a gap between the stinger barrel and the base plate, one can use large diameter fuel tube of use silicone sealant to seal that gap.
Yes, do check if the water jacket is sealed well against the motor can.
One quick way to identify where the water is coming from. i.e., to see if it is from the stuffing tube is to see if the thick marine grease is sprayed inside you hull, that is usually the case when water is rammed from the back of the stinger and is thus coming out of your stuffing tube near the collet. When I had that issue, no matter what size of fuel tubing i tried there was water until i sealed the gap.

DSCN1827_1333.jpg DSCN1856_1360.jpg

Also check for weak spots along your water hose, some times they are not fool proof, i have had new hose that had a thin spot and cracks in them. Static water leak test is a good idea but not a guarantee that it will not have issue once the boat is in motion.

[monojeff]

The bathtub test doesnt say much.
Here is what I do to assure the hull is not leaking from anywhere.
Seal all stuffing tube and water inlet lines so no water can pass through them.
Remove all electronic components.
Fill entire boat with water or as much water as you can get in it.
Seal the hatch on and then tip the boat up or down whichever way first then see if it is leaking, then flip it the other way and see if it is leaking.
You will be amazed sometimes the hairline cracks that cause water to enter place you never thought or from your screw holes.

[jhl1963]

Thanks guys, great suggestions...after a few hours I realized the problem....I'm a bonehead. In my 3am push to get the boat ready I forgot to affix/glue/silicon the pushrod boot to the hull. In neutral position the boot was pushed against the hull so I didn't see it and it didn't leak in the tub. However, any left turn would push the boot away from the hull and I basically had a 3/8' hole in the transom ready, willing and able to take water in! Thanks for all of the above, will definitely help me in the future and hopefully help others.

[capnswanny]

Been there! :)

Still worth a blow to check your system under pressure before your next run...2 cups is quite a bit!

Have fun my friend!!

Corey