Boat Leaks

[Scott Smith2]

This is my first post on this board but I have read some great advice posts from you guys. I bought a 1994 TX Tournament 17ft about a month ago. When I bought the boat I new it leaked a little from some rivets that were loose. I have fixed those leaks, but I have found another area that leaks. I took some of the great advice from you guys on this board ( I searched emails that were 1 year old about leaks) and I filled the bilge area with water. My leaks are coming from the center mold that has rivets on both sides. I can see where there are gaps between the bottom of the boat and the molding (I am not sure what it is called). If I take a hammer and tap the mold and use some JB Weld, will this fix my leaks. If you have any suggestions, I am all ears (or is it eyes). I fished out of it one time and as long as I turn my bilge on every 30 minutes or so, everything is ok. There are probably 5 or 6 rivets that leak down the center and only 2 or 3 places that the mold has small gaps.

 

[Steve Rizza]

Don't use JB weld. The flexing will crack it loose.(been there,done that)



Buy some Permatex silicone gasket stuff at the auto parts store and use that. Clean the area real good to get a good bond and it will last a life time.

You can even get it in grey to match the boat.

It's the only thing that keeps my boat from meeting the bottom of the lake.



Steve

 

[mike chip]

i would also add a float switch to the bilge pump, that way it will come on automaticly and turn it self off when the water is gone.

mike

 

[Norm Gavlick]

Scott,

I have an 84 aluminum Tracker, (Just bought a new 05 PT185 jet), that had some leaks. I used Gluvit marine epoxy on some of the rivets. It hardens but maintains flexibility. You could even sand and paint it once it dries. I put it on last spring and it is holding fine. You have to clean the area really good and even sand or wire brush the aluminum clean first.

 

[Norm Gavlick]

You can find Gluvit at www.marinetex.com