bilge leak

downunder

found my aft bilge leak!

had this leak high up on the starboard side of the aft bilge which then tracked down into the bilge valley. see pic

had 4 different boat mechanics look and 4 different answers, so i just lived with it as was not a serious leak.

[I learnt about a serious leak 4 weeks after buying the boat with a major transom leak , was steering pin and replaced both transom shields!!]

Anyhow the leak got worse and i decided to take it out and have a look . Glad i did as the starboard trim tab had started to separate from transom. see pic

Trim tab fixed now back in the water.

Handymans342

Thats ugly Mate

rasbury

Not getting it...trim tab is attached to the transom, I guess the wire has to get through somehow( can't envision how!) so how exactly was it leaking?

downunder

the trim tab section attaches to the transom by 8 long screws . At least two were broken and all others in a bad way. replaced with 316 grade oversize screws and on 2 used next oversize up. Looks like with wear and breaking they let water into a closed back section. This then comes out that drain hole into the aft bilge.

This boat is one great learning experience!!

rasbury

With 13 posts, you haven't even sratched the surface!

Handymans342

downunder said:

the trim tab section attaches to the transom by 8 long screws . At least two were broken and all others in a bad way. replaced with 316 grade oversize screws and on 2 used next oversize up. Looks like with wear and breaking they let water into a closed back section. This then comes out that drain hole into the aft bilge.

This boat is one great learning experience!!

I hope you used 3M 5200 sealant!

rasbury

That 5200, that will permanently bond to the fiber glass on I'm told making it virtually unremovable?