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Started By
Message
Leaking aluminum boat--potential source of leak
Posted on 5/6/26 at 11:27 am
Posted on 5/6/26 at 11:27 am
Long story short my center console boat leaks significantly when moving. We have filled the boat up with water and it appears to be water tight. The guy I bought it from said that it leaked a little at the jack plate. However, when running the waterline is way below where the jack plate is bolted on.
My mechanic seems to think that my live well lines are cracked and that is the source of the water getting into the boat.
Has anyone ever encountered this? It makes a ton of sense but at the same time I feel stupid to think that just plugging both live well lines would fix the issue.
My mechanic seems to think that my live well lines are cracked and that is the source of the water getting into the boat.
Has anyone ever encountered this? It makes a ton of sense but at the same time I feel stupid to think that just plugging both live well lines would fix the issue.
8
Posted on 5/6/26 at 11:41 am to Nannyslayer
What kind of boat? I plug both my livewell lines because the fitting is cracked/loose on the backside of one and I’d have to rip the gas tank out to access it.
Have you filled your livewell with the plugs in the transom to see if it leaks? That is how I found mine.
Have you filled your livewell with the plugs in the transom to see if it leaks? That is how I found mine.
Posted on 5/6/26 at 11:59 am to Nannyslayer
It does sound like it is probably something with live wells.
Only other thing would be speedo gauge/tubing if you have an analog gauge that is tubed to the pitot on outboard.
Only other thing would be speedo gauge/tubing if you have an analog gauge that is tubed to the pitot on outboard.
Posted on 5/6/26 at 1:36 pm to sloopy
It's an Alumacraft. It has had significant welding done to the underside of the hull but they are holding.
Unfortunately, as I was dropping off at the mechanic's he mentioned the theory on the live well. My thought would be to plug the main drain and outflow of live well and then blast water into live well intake. After a few minutes pull main plug and see if water comes out.
And since we only use boat for back water riding (no fishing) I just plug all 3 each time we ride and we are good to go . . . hopefully
Unfortunately, as I was dropping off at the mechanic's he mentioned the theory on the live well. My thought would be to plug the main drain and outflow of live well and then blast water into live well intake. After a few minutes pull main plug and see if water comes out.
And since we only use boat for back water riding (no fishing) I just plug all 3 each time we ride and we are good to go . . . hopefully
Posted on 5/6/26 at 7:51 pm to Nannyslayer
Not sure of the exact model so this may not be feasible:
Thoroughly clean out a shop vac and swap the suction hose to the exhaust side. Have someone hold the hose against the drain plug hole on your boat to pressurize it with a high volume of airflow. Use a pump sprayer with soapy water to spray every weld seam.
Odds are if it had been welded on before, it had a crack and sometimes leaks can travel inside a weld for a long ways, or a new crack is only exposed when the boat is under load or with forced air.
Don’t use an air compressor for this. It doesn’t have enough volume (CFM) and it will have too much pressure.
Thoroughly clean out a shop vac and swap the suction hose to the exhaust side. Have someone hold the hose against the drain plug hole on your boat to pressurize it with a high volume of airflow. Use a pump sprayer with soapy water to spray every weld seam.
Odds are if it had been welded on before, it had a crack and sometimes leaks can travel inside a weld for a long ways, or a new crack is only exposed when the boat is under load or with forced air.
Don’t use an air compressor for this. It doesn’t have enough volume (CFM) and it will have too much pressure.
Posted on 5/7/26 at 12:17 am to Nannyslayer
Had the same about three months ago. Turned out to be a cracked fitting between the livewell pump and the hose that runs to the livewell.
Posted on 5/7/26 at 3:00 pm to Nannyslayer
quote:
My mechanic seems to think that my live well lines are cracked and that is the source of the water getting into the boat.
Fill your live well up and plug the external dump port. Put some green or red food dye in the live well and take it for a run. If you see green or red water in the bottom of the boat you will know if your mechanic is right or not. Very cheap way to check for a pipe leak for the live well..
Posted on 5/7/26 at 3:34 pm to Tridentds
I put some JB weld around the inside and outside of the livewell drain. It stopped the leak in my livewell. I use my livewell go storage though so it filling with water was unplanned.
Posted on 5/8/26 at 8:57 am to bird35
thank yall for all the recommendations! I passed on to my mechanic. Fingers cross it is something this easy/idiotic
Posted on 6/11/26 at 1:47 pm to Nannyslayer
Come to find out, I have a new set of stress cracks under the "passenger" side runner. I previously has several feet of cracks welded up under the "driver" side.
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the trailer is causing the cracks.
Has anyone had luck adding additional runners to distribute the weight better?
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the trailer is causing the cracks.
Has anyone had luck adding additional runners to distribute the weight better?
Posted on 6/11/26 at 3:04 pm to Nannyslayer
quote:
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the trailer is causing the cracks.
Has anyone had luck adding additional runners to distribute the weight better?
How many bunks does it currently have? One per side or two??
And how long are they?
Posted on 6/11/26 at 6:48 pm to Nannyslayer
I think you’re going to be basing leaks for a long time. IMO once stress cracks start on an Al hull it’s a never ending problem.
Does the trailer have one or two bunks per side? If only one, add another and add two more at the V.
If it were mine I would send a bore scope and look at the stringers.
Does the trailer have one or two bunks per side? If only one, add another and add two more at the V.
If it were mine I would send a bore scope and look at the stringers.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 12:58 pm to Nannyslayer
Let it sink. Collect insurance. Buy boat without stress fracture everywhere. They'll never stop
Posted on 6/15/26 at 12:16 pm to ChatGPT of LA
It has one bunk per side that are 10'. I'm going to add another bunk on each side and call it a day.
One crack is around 2'. On the other side is has several cracks all the way down hull. I'm afraid it will used in back water until it is not worth fooling with---we are close to that point as it is.
One crack is around 2'. On the other side is has several cracks all the way down hull. I'm afraid it will used in back water until it is not worth fooling with---we are close to that point as it is.
Posted on 6/16/26 at 11:28 am to Nannyslayer
Check your live well pumps as others have stated.
Posted on 6/16/26 at 1:36 pm to Nannyslayer
Baw you got took, did you even sea trial prior to purchase?
Posted on 6/16/26 at 4:55 pm to KemoSabe65
I've been told owning a boat is like drinking a beer while taking a cold shower and just burning up $100 bills.
So this story checks
So this story checks
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