Leaking Thru-Hull

[Adefelice]

Not only is my Memorial Day weekend rained out, today I discovered a potential disaster unfolding in my forward bilge. Went to check on her with all this rain and river level rising lately to find water intrusion from underneath instead.

Located in my frwd bilge compartment under the step I have two thru hulls,...a seacock for the HEAT/AC and another for a Garmin transducer (which we aren't even using :smt101)

Its hard for me to determine if one or both are failing and frankly too new to start messing around wrenching on nuts while in the water. Hate to have an emergency haul out if I really screw things up. Although, from what I read online replacing them completely is the proper solution.

Anything I can try or do in the meantime? I recall someone telling me to tighten the nut behind the seacock but not sure about the transducer. Trying to upload pictures but having issues.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[electricaldoctor]

Have a tub of Stay Afloat ready just in case things go south on you.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Do you see water actually coming in through the thru-hulls? In other words, what leads you to believe that the water is coming from the thru-hulls and not something up above like portlights, wiper, stanchions or rubrail? Any one of those things could leak down into the bilge. Dry the compartment COMPLETELY and tightly tape paper towels to the side walls (above the floor) of the bilge area.

 

[dpmulvey]

Suck everything out w a shop vac. Dry it as best you can. If the leak is not too bad, use a hair dryer. Sprinkle both through hulls with baby powder. The water trace will give you some indications as to which one is leaking.

If it is the transducer, the seals may be dried out. I am experiencing the same thing. My Raymarine has a plug and flap assembly so you can remove the transducer and work on it in the boat without the need to haul. I don't know if Garmin has a similar arrangement.

I can only comment to the Heat/AC through hull to say if it is leaking there, haul. You need to see if there is any intrusion damage to the hull. Again, possibly an issue for mr as well.

HTH

 

[Adefelice]

Thanks guys, some really great troubleshooting tips.

So on Monday we shop vac'ed all the water out and dried the best we could.(wife forgot the hair dryer)
I used a rag to really wipe it clean, and as soon as we finished we were able to see the smallest bit of water start pooling in the bottom of the bilge area. After about an hour we could see about a pint of water collecting there.
I could clearly see NO water coming from the side the AC/Heat Sea-cock is on, However, water seemed to be coming from the side the transducer is on. It is really hard to tell if the water is coming from underneath all the caulking/sealant around the transducer flange or from the paddle wheel insert After a little research I determined I have an Airmar - B744v it appears that on this model the insert can be removed whilst still in the water and is designed that way to clean the sensor and replace the rubber seals for maintenance.
This started a great debate, where I think the seals dried up or the insert is failing as this boat was sitting on land for over a year. I explained how the insert is designed to be removed for inspection/cleaning while in the water. This idea does not sit well with the 1st mate and I'm am not allowed to remove it until the boat is on the trailer. I can understand where she is coming from however,....its designed to be removed.

Anyway,..since we couldn't leave the slip on Monday our next step is to completely dry again on Friday and actually take her out while having someone keep an eye on the bilge while underway. Hoping this sheds more light.
I really wish I could upload the picture I have but still having trouble re sizing it and if I make it any smaller its not worth it. I think if you guys could see the picture you will see why I feel it is the transducer and not anything else.
Thanks again dpmulvey, Lazy Daze, and electricaldoctor for your responses.

 

[dpmulvey]

E-mail me the picture. I'll load it for you.

As an aside, you may want to consider loading the boat on the trailer, and just before you haul it, pop the transducer to see how it works. No harm/no foul as the boat is on the trailer as it is.

 

[dpmulvey]

Mine has a seperate plug attached to the ring / lanyard.