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17-05-2012, 08:17
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Newport News VA
Boat: Egg Harbor sedan cruiser 1970
Posts: 958
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Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
One of my engine thru hulls has developed a tiny weeping leak.
It is occurring between backing plate and hull bottom.
It is so slow that dry it up and within 30 seconds a tiny tiny tiny tiny amount of water will form.
over a long time it does collect some water.
So I was wondering if there was some goopy stuff that you can force into the interface area to dry up this leak without pulling the boat.
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17-05-2012, 08:21
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore"
Posts: 7,557
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Re: wet leak seepage fix for a thru hull?
try wrapping a thin fiberglas thread dipped in 5200 or some other caulk around the backing plate so that it goes under the backing plate.
__________________
Rick I
Toronto in summer, Bahamas in winter.
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17-05-2012, 09:19
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wherever the boat is!
Boat: Marine Trader 34DC
Posts: 4,619
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
Obviously the thru-hull is not sealed and water leaks don't just go away. Anything you do short of pulling the boat and re-bedding will only be a band-aid and putting any kind of epoxy or whatever on the thru hull will only make a correct repair harder when you decide to do it right. Small leaks get bigger in time unless they are repaired. Chuck
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17-05-2012, 09:36
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,514
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
Some sealants can be applied wet. You could snorkel down and create a fillet around the thru hull perimeter with your finger, that way the pressure is forcing it into the joint. You should haul and do properly soon though....
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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17-05-2012, 13:31
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#5
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,184
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
Splash Zone epoxy will stick and cure under water, and would likely cure the symptom.
However, you are risking possible sinking or at least water damage if your band-aid should fail. Further, it could be a failing through hull fitting, not just bad sealant, with the possibility of it suddenly becoming a major leak. IMO, you should go ahead and slip the boat and do it right.
Cheers,
Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
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17-05-2012, 15:13
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montegut LA.
Boat: Now we need to get her to Louisiana !! she's ours
Posts: 3,421
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
My Daddy told me ! Fix it Once right ! Lots of boats have sunk from " Lets Patch it for Now !!" and fix it right later!! Fixin it right has saved my bacon lots of times in the last 50 plus years at sea. Just my 2 cents
__________________
Bob and Connie
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17-05-2012, 15:31
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#7
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cat herder, extreme blacksheep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
you can replace thru hulls in water--just takes skill. dont have to haul--but it does need to be replaced--you do not want it getting worse. will happen. i had one replaced in water on my ericson when i first bought her. had a film of water on hull just inside the fitting---any good diver can do the work.
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17-05-2012, 15:59
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#8
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Guest
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 433
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
Can you tighten the locking nut a bit to stop the leak until repair can be done??
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18-05-2012, 07:55
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Newport News VA
Boat: Egg Harbor sedan cruiser 1970
Posts: 958
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
Ok, I spent time looking at this very carefully yesterday.
And found it is seeping from the threads where the valve screws on not from the backing plate.
I figure if I do this in the water, I can unscrew it and coat with some teflon paste on the threads while putting a heavy lead weight and rubber gasket on top of the pipe to keep water out, or buy a pipe cap. It has been about 2 years since I had boat out and had this thing in my hands so it is likely still ok. It is a scoop type bronze pickup oval shaped thing on the bottom and I think it is 1.5 inch thread.
I kept wondering how it could be leaking as I know I sealed it very well, so at least I know now what is really happening with it.
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18-05-2012, 08:00
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wherever the boat is!
Boat: Marine Trader 34DC
Posts: 4,619
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
That can work but be careful. In loosening or tighten the valve on the thru-hull, the entire thing can spin loose. Just proceed carefully and watch for any slight movement while you are loosening the valve. If the thru-hull is well bedded with something like 5200 you should not have a problem. Chuck
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18-05-2012, 08:22
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,159
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
How about putting a piece of plastic wrap over the outside to stop water ingress while you work on the inside?
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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18-05-2012, 08:29
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sxm , Spain
Boat: CSY 44 Tall rig Sold!
Posts: 4,367
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
Cored hull or solid?
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18-05-2012, 08:34
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#13
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Sponsoring Vendor
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hollywood, Fl.
Boat: FP Athena 38' Poerava
Posts: 3,984
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
Just a bit of advice and it's worth the price you pay. I would not attempt an in the water thru-hull change out on an existing thru hull that leaks. A small leak can be as simple a fix as replacing with new sealant, it can also be an indication the the hull material around the thru-hull has damage as well. Pulling out a thru-hull in this state can result in a much larger hole than anticipated being left behind. If circumstances dictate, I'd attempt a temporary fix with a sealant now without removing the thru hull and as suggested several times above, do it right and pull the boat. If one thru hull is showing signs of leaking there's a good chance the other thru hulls should be pulled and re-bedded as well.
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18-05-2012, 08:37
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
I just love some of these threads!
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
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18-05-2012, 08:45
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,514
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Re: Wet Leak Seepage Fix for a Thru Hull?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdowney717
Ok, I spent time looking at this very carefully yesterday.
And found it is seeping from the threads where the valve screws on not from the backing plate.
I figure if I do this in the water, I can unscrew it and coat with some teflon paste on the threads while putting a heavy lead weight and rubber gasket on top of the pipe to keep water out, or buy a pipe cap. It has been about 2 years since I had boat out and had this thing in my hands so it is likely still ok. It is a scoop type bronze pickup oval shaped thing on the bottom and I think it is 1.5 inch thread.
I kept wondering how it could be leaking as I know I sealed it very well, so at least I know now what is really happening with it.
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The force of the water coming in a thru hull is amazing, a lead weight and rubber gasket will not stop it. You will need something from the outside. Trouble is, maybe the threads on the thru hull fitting are cracked and that's why it's leaking... it's a little risky. BTW, seems to me the threads shouldnt be even seeing any water...? The scoop should be sealed before it gets to the threads. Is it possible that the boatyard can lift the boat leaving it in the slings at the end of the day while you do this? Otherwise...Buy some tapered wood plugs and make sure the bilge pump is operating well....
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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