My Boat is leaking (I have questions)

[LhcBrad]

I just bought a boat and It is leaking about a gallon a day. The boat is kept in a slip and taking it out of the water is not possible this time of year.
The water from the leak is isolated to the front bulkhead. The leak is coming in from the white thing. See picture below. I have no idea what the white thing even is.
It is coming from the black part. Here are the questions I have.
What is this white thing?
Can I use some sort of sealer like flex seal and put that around it. Or what sealer would work best for this? It would have to be applied while wet. What the final outcome looks like does not matter since it is not visible. I just want it to stop leaking.

The leak is only a gallon or so a day it is not a high pressure leak.
I am open to any ideas anyone has.
Not that is matters but it is a 25 sailboat

 

[Ultra...Good]

is the thing leaking or seal around it leaking? more for future permanent fix.

if leak origin is submerged, something like a flex seal or quick dry submersible patch for now.

 

[BoatCop]

Looks like a transducer of some kind. Obviously not in use anymore. I'd get some type of sealant to pack around it, until you can pull the boat, remove it completely and permanently seal the hole. Maybe the stuff they put into through bulkhead fittings. Don't remember what the official name is, but in the CG (and Navy) we called it "Monkey Shit".

 

[lbhsbz]

is the thing leaking or seal around it leaking? more for future permanent fix.

if leak origin is submerged, something like a flex seal or quick dry submersible patch for now.

Tried flexseal one time to fix a leaky transom on a POS "race" boat the night before the race....sprayed 2 cans inside and out, absolutely no change. fine print said allow 48 hours to cure lol.

won't work on stuff that's wet.

I'm sure there's a product out there for this but flexseal ain't it.

 

[LhcBrad]

is the thing leaking or seal around it leaking? more for future permanent fix.

if leak origin is submerged, something like a flex seal or quick dry submersible patch for now.

The water is coming from the center black area. Not the black thing sticking up. The thing that looks like rubber.

 

[LhcBrad]

Tried flexseal one time to fix a leaky transom on a POS "race" boat the night before the race....sprayed 2 cans inside and out, absolutely no change. fine print said allow 48 hours to cure lol.

won't work on stuff that's wet.

I'm sure there's a product out there for this but flexseal ain't it.

Thank you -- Good to know.

 

[BoatCop]

The water is coming from the center black area. Not the black thing sticking up. The thing that looks like rubber.

Whatever you do, DO NOT unscrew it. You won't be able to get it back on, before the boat's on the bottom.

 

[mash on it]

Sea going epoxy works under water .

Dan'l

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

Looks to be a depth sounder transducer

 

[JFMFG]

Use some black rtf shit will never leak again lol

 

[LhcBrad]

Use some black rtf shit will never leak again lol

Do you have a link?

 

[lbhsbz]

You might try splash zone epoxy.

Buddy who I crew for was doing some epoxy work on a merc 2 liter next to his garage sink and dropped a few chunks in the sink (which he'd been using, and was wet)....20 years ago. The epoxy is still stuck there and won't come off. He tells everyone that story when they ask about marine epoxy...and its all he uses now. I've used it on plenty of stuff without any issues, but I always prep it as good as I can.

 

[Rayson1971]

All else fails change your bilge to an automatic bilge with float.

 

[LhcBrad]

All else fails change your bilge to an automatic bilge with float.

That is the plan

 

[Ultra...Good]

All else fails change your bilge to an automatic bilge with float.

and flood insurance

 

[Heylam]

It looks to me like the outer serrated (for lack of a better term) part threads down onto the portion attached to the hull. Have you tried cinching it down a little to see if it creates a better seal? Just be careful not to over tighten it and risk cracking it.

 

[LhcBrad]

I have tried doing that and it wont budge

It looks to me like the outer serrated (for lack of a better term) part threads down onto the portion attached to the hull. Have you tried cinching it down a little to see if it creates a better seal? Just be careful not to over tighten it and risk cracking

 

[LhcBrad]

Whatever you do, DO NOT unscrew it. You won't be able to get it back on, before the boat's on the bottom.

I agree

 

[wzuber]

Sea going epoxy works under water .

Dan'l

This....clean it good as possible with a scrub brush. If possible make sure it has no oily film.on it. Get everything ready to go before applying. Mask areas you don't want epoxy if possible. Mix it and stuff into the leak area 1st, then pack the remaining material around the rest of the black portion to encapsulate the whole thing to help insure a complete seal. You can use water to help smooth the surface. Acetone to clean tools or other misc. areas etc..

 

[Hoodoo]

I see your at Bayview. Cool, I’m in and out of there a bit in summer. Would swap a ride in the Phantom for a ride in the sail sometime if your interested.

 

[LuauLounge]

Mine was threaded drain plug assembly on transom. The exterior piece sealant had dried out.
Removed, resealed, no leak.

 

[RadMan]

Underwater 2 part epoxy putty, there are many.

Cut that wire flush with the fitting
Create a giant putty ball and mound it over the whole thing, sealing it all to the hull.

Clean and sand hull surface surrounding the fitting first.

If the water weeps through somewhere seal it off again

 

[Justfishing]

I would looking into lexel. Says sticksto wet and dry. I havent used it but heard great things.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lexel-10-5-fl-oz-Clear-Paintable-Solvent-Caulk/4714985

 

[Bigbore500r]

I just bought a boat and It is leaking about a gallon a day. The boat is kept in a slip and taking it out of the water is not possible this time of year.
The water from the leak is isolated to the front bulkhead. The leak is coming in from the white thing. See picture below. I have no idea what the white thing even is.
It is coming from the black part. Here are the questions I have.
What is this white thing?
Can I use some sort of sealer like flex seal and put that around it. Or what sealer would work best for this? It would have to be applied while wet. What the final outcome looks like does not matter since it is not visible. I just want it to stop leaking. View attachment 1337438 View attachment 1337439 View attachment 1337440
The leak is only a gallon or so a day it is not a high pressure leak.
I am open to any ideas anyone has.
Not that is matters but it is a 25 sailboat

I've used this on leaking RV fresh water tanks, that are full of water (saved a desert trip dry camping...)
Had a cracked fitting that was leaking 3-4 gallons a day out of a 100 gallon tank. Use it liberally, if it's still seeping a bit, pack a little more on till it's sealed up.
Cut the stick into thirds, and only mix what your gonna use for the first application. Mix more as needed.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/J-B-WELD-WaterWeld-White-Epoxy-Adhesive/3389026?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-ggl-_-LIA_PNT_221_Glue-Adhesives-Caulk-Repair-_-3389026-_-local-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAuNGuBhAkEiwAGId4at9TArCSgsvC6bV3UVLCvQXJN6eOp9SxCGPi2SAZNpIxKI3cjVkNJRoCmFgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

I've used this on leaking RV fresh water tanks, that are full of water (saved a desert trip dry camping...)
Had a cracked fitting that was leaking 3-4 gallons a day out of a 100 gallon tank. Use it liberally, if it's still seeping a bit, pack a little more on till it's sealed up.
Cut the stick into thirds, and only mix what your gonna use for the first application. Mix more as needed.

View attachment 1337579

https://www.lowes.com/pd/J-B-WELD-WaterWeld-White-Epoxy-Adhesive/3389026?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-ggl-_-LIA_PNT_221_Glue-Adhesives-Caulk-Repair-_-3389026-_-local-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAuNGuBhAkEiwAGId4at9TArCSgsvC6bV3UVLCvQXJN6eOp9SxCGPi2SAZNpIxKI3cjVkNJRoCmFgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This. The water weld works great. I actually always have a tube on my boats. And it can be applied to wet surfaces.

 

[Badchoices03]

Have you tried a different prop??

 

[TimeBandit]

Do you have a diver that cleans the bottom usually they can fix those things

 

[2Driver]

Yeah looks like a transducer for an old through hull depth finder or knot meter. The problem is trying to goop a bunch of crap over the black part to dam the water from the inside vs stopping it from the outside.. I’d be more concerned it might be ready to really let go.

For what it’s worth this is what they suggest when installing a through hull transducer.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40066983/

Google. “ knotmeter leaking sailboat forum“ .

 

[Ziggy]

Marine-Tex epoxy.

If you say leak is in center of black part just glob up that area to the white retention ring.

 

[sonicss31]

No suggestion for sealer but you better make damn sure you fix the hose connection on the bilge pump. Push the hose on farther up the outlet of the pump and put a clamp on it. Thank me later.

 

[RichL]

No suggestion for sealer but you better make damn sure you fix the hose connection on the bilge pump. Push the hose on farther up the outlet of the pump and put a clamp on it. Thank me later. View attachment 1337643

Good catch.

 

[C-Ya]

Here is another way………

Remove it.

Buy plugs from West Marine. They have all sorts of sizes.

Remove the transducer, then pound in plug.

For those who say the boat will sink before you get plug in…….. don’t embarrass yourself. What I am advising is exactly what you do when you are a thousand miles from shore and have a thru-hull fail, or you just ran into a semi submerged ocean container. YOU MUST PLUG THE HOLE. It is way easier in a slip, than the open ocean.

The plug will last a long time, but still remember, it is only a temporary fix.

Trying to epoxy transducer is more sketchy to me.

 

[Orange Juice]

FLEX SEAL FAMILY OF PRODUCTS Flex Tape Clear 4 in. x 5 ft. Strong Rubberized Waterproof Tape TFSCLRR0405 - The Home Depot

Flex Tape is a super strong waterproof tape that can instantly patch, bond, and seal virtually anything. It can be applied on dry or wet surfaces and it even works underwater. Flex Tape's powerful adhesive

www.homedepot.com

 

[fat rat]

Time for Flex Tape!

 

[2Driver]

Here is another way………

Remove it.

Buy plugs from West Marine. They have all sorts of sizes.

Remove the transducer, then pound in plug.

For those who say the boat will sink before you get plug in…….. don’t embarrass yourself. What I am advising is exactly what you do when you are a thousand miles from shore and have a thru-hull fail, or you just ran into a semi submerged ocean container. YOU MUST PLUG THE HOLE. It is way easier in a slip, than the open ocean.

The plug will last a long time, but still remember, it is only a temporary fix.

Trying to epoxy transducer is more sketchy to me.

LOL Id have my bathing suit and PFD on just in case

 

[Heylam]

One gallon a day isn’t much water. If you have a working bilge pump I wouldn’t worry about it. I’d wait until the boat could be hauled out before I’d goop it all up and make a big mess of things.

 

[C-Ya]

An app based high water alarm might be a good investment too. Having your phone send an alert is priceless!

 

[n2otoofast4u]

An app based high water alarm might be a good investment too. Having your phone send an alert is priceless!

Have an example? I fkn stress over our cruiser being in the water all the time even though it leaks zero water and is in covered moorage.

 

[gqchris]

We use 5200 for everything and works great. It is permanent though. 4200 is less permanent.

5200 Fast Cure Polyurethane Adhesive/Sealant Tube, White | West Marine

Check out our 5200 Fast Cure Polyurethane Adhesive/Sealant Tube, White and more from West Marine!

www.westmarine.com

 

[C-Ya]

Have an example? I fkn stress over our cruiser being in the water all the time even though it leaks zero water and is in covered moorage.

I’ll see what my neighbors are using. Most of the apps do multiple things besides high water alarm, such as battery monitoring, power cord breaker working, and other essentials. Some even have security features.

My neighbors app, alerted him that his power pedestal had shut down. The actual problem was a circuit board in the boat. It made it easy to address the problem, and troubleshoot the repair.

 

[Deano]

Make sure you have wood plugs and a hammer ready if you mess with any thru hulls.

 

[LhcBrad]

No suggestion for sealer but you better make damn sure you fix the hose connection on the bilge pump. Push the hose on farther up the outlet of the pump and put a clamp on it. Thank me later. View attachment 1337643

Thank you for catching this.

 

[Instigator]

If the transducer is leaking internally just take and cut a piece of an inner tube to cover it and then use a hose clamp to secure it around the outer housing until you can haul the boat out of the water and replace the transducer or patch the hole back properly.

 

[LhcBrad]

I see your at Bayview. Cool, I’m in and out of there a bit in summer. Would swap a ride in the Phantom for a ride in the sail sometime if your interested.

Yes this is Bayview. I would for sure swap a ride for a ride in the Phantom. Just let me know when you are ready and warms up.
The white stuff is Ice and has melted since this picture. Thank you everybody for the advice I will try one of the sealants and update after its completed

 

[HST4ME]

3M 4200, you rag flapper.

 

[LhcBrad]

3M 4200, you rag flapper.

Rag flapper!!!! I like that one. The boat was cheap. Only $1500 and came with the slip. Hard to pass that deal up. Only Rag Flappers are allowed in this marina.

 

[LhcBrad]

Do you have a diver that cleans the bottom usually they can fix those things

No diver this time of year

 

[Guest06]

Flex seal tape, then layered with 5200 in small thin layers. Then next time it’s out have it cut out and patched from exterior properly.