Taking on water
06-30-2014 | 02:30 PM
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From: Vancouver
Taking on water
After I just did a major service to my boat I was ready to put her in the water. As soon as I did I noticed a nice steady stream pouring in from the transom. Last year it leaked kinda similar & luckily this is all from the forward motor. Here's what I did back then. Thought it was the Bollows cause it's an 05 with over 200 hours so it was about time to change it & the bearing. Did that on both sides & the water stopped. Temporarily. After 2 times out it began again. Took it back to the shop & the U pipe for the silent choice was super loose. As I got into it only 1 bolt was holding it in place. The other 3 had completely backed out. Found them all with the washers at the bottom of the bilge. Changed the gasket tighten it all up & everything was all good.
I figured this leak had to be from the same U pipe. Got into it & all 4 bolts were tight. Was a bit stunned at the problem. Looked as closely as I could at the shifter cable Bellows but seemed ok. Since the back was all apart & really the only real way to test it was to dump it back in the water. Had a buddy back me in & right away it starts pouring in from the top of the Transom. Pulled it out, looked closely & the whole plate had actually came out a few mm. Tightened up the inside 8 bolts & snap. 1 broke. Did get the others a little tighter so we backed it in again & no more leak. Now I was in a dilemma. Should I just leave it as is or take it all apart. Have never takin off a complete Transom but I knew sooner or later I would have to do it. Since some was already apart minus well do it right.
Really glad I did. Wasn't that bad of a job to do & was shocked at the conditions of the studs. 2 of them were rusted a 1/4 of the way through. In the summer the boat sits in a marina that is down river from the ocean so its not even straight salt water. Even then its for a period of about 3 - 4 months & I take it out periodically to clean & go to some lakes around the Province. Gonna replace all the studs & replace the gaskets.
It's really beautiful to boat here in Vancouver but unfortunately we have sooooo many dam logs in the River. There like land mines. Have hit a few at cruising speeds which usually just chips the skag but I guess combined with some corrosion on the bolts took there toll. Crazy how you learn what kind of maintenance these boats require with age. Not looking forward to doing the other side though. For it the motor has to come out.
I figured this leak had to be from the same U pipe. Got into it & all 4 bolts were tight. Was a bit stunned at the problem. Looked as closely as I could at the shifter cable Bellows but seemed ok. Since the back was all apart & really the only real way to test it was to dump it back in the water. Had a buddy back me in & right away it starts pouring in from the top of the Transom. Pulled it out, looked closely & the whole plate had actually came out a few mm. Tightened up the inside 8 bolts & snap. 1 broke. Did get the others a little tighter so we backed it in again & no more leak. Now I was in a dilemma. Should I just leave it as is or take it all apart. Have never takin off a complete Transom but I knew sooner or later I would have to do it. Since some was already apart minus well do it right.
Really glad I did. Wasn't that bad of a job to do & was shocked at the conditions of the studs. 2 of them were rusted a 1/4 of the way through. In the summer the boat sits in a marina that is down river from the ocean so its not even straight salt water. Even then its for a period of about 3 - 4 months & I take it out periodically to clean & go to some lakes around the Province. Gonna replace all the studs & replace the gaskets.
It's really beautiful to boat here in Vancouver but unfortunately we have sooooo many dam logs in the River. There like land mines. Have hit a few at cruising speeds which usually just chips the skag but I guess combined with some corrosion on the bolts took there toll. Crazy how you learn what kind of maintenance these boats require with age. Not looking forward to doing the other side though. For it the motor has to come out.
