Posted here because know I would get some answers. Older tracker topper riveted. Always takes on water. Inch or so I have filled with water in driveway and no leak. I put the t plug in from inside boat. Maybe should put from outside I don't get it. Tired if wet feet and havin to use a bilge

its is most likely a rivet or several rivets leaking , you may need to put more water in it to see them

Flex-Seal it!!! Worked for this guy.

This or you have a live well/bilge hose leaking.

First I would screw down my drain plug really tight...after I cleaned the inside of the hole with rubbing alcohol. See if that fixes it...Plus, a NEW drain plug is always a good idea and the FIRST option when you have a leak. Inspect the bilge hoses/clamps (and bilge pump itself) for cracks, soft spots, etc. Then go to the live well, they always develop issues over time. Basically, they are just a big factory made, hole in your boat. Plug the live well from the bottom, then fill it with water (to the top), if you don't see a leak then let it sit for 8 hours. By now you should have found the problems that occur most of the time...If not, then....

I would put enough water in the boat (with plug in normally) to cover up to the last rivet on the side, with the boat sitting level (Yes, fill the boat with water) and then watch for escaping water to drop on the concrete...then follow the to the source/sources...

If it is a rivet(s), then go find someone with that "Special" boat rivet gun and have them re-rivet the problem rivets...If it is a bilge or hose, or whatever, then fix it (be sure to add 100% silicone when repairing the issue)....then you will be done as cheap as possible...

Get an automatic bilge and let it go...

I am wondering how much will all that water weigh? 8.33 pounds per gallon x ?.

If your getting that much water in your boat, it's not a small hole.

There is no livewell and the bilge is just a clap to battery and a hose over the side. Does not leak when fill with water in driveway. One way leak? I don't know.

I sent you a PM. But something that I left off of the pm, is when you put water in were you sure to put water enough to cover your entire waterline? You probably did, but was just checking.

Jeff

Easy fill the boat with water with the boat up on a stand. Wait for leaks to appear.

The leak may be a crack that is very small and will not leak until the boat is on plane and the aluminum is flexed. Boat up on plane forces water in very small cracks, or through rivet holes that aren't totally tight. Make sure boat is completely dry inside. Get up on plane and back off quickly. Immediately look for water source. Also, look closely at the transom area. If the aluminum on back of the transom wraps under the boat, then riveted, I'd look closely for any cracks. The wrap under is exposed and catches water pressure. As you've already determined, these types of leaks are very hard to find.

I had an old hillbilly show me a trick with my old Ouachita 12' johnny
a couple decades ago.
FILL the boat with water, & room to access underneath. once you find
the leak, mark it, drain & dry the boat.
Then get a bar of Ivory soap, & rub it on the hole/loose rivet, both sides.
held water for me for 3 years !!!

Flex-Seal it!!! Worked for this guy.


it does work. I have 2 boats that i have done and have had no issue with it. I had a rivet in my 14' alum v sprayed 2 cans on inside and 2 outside on rivet areas and no leaks or water. I bought the dollar general version and used it on my water buster and the same for 5 bucks a can it was worth it

That's what I did. My fiberglass boat takes on a little water. Never could find out from where, most likely the ff transducer screws or the sealant on the plug/livewell. Put a new 700 gph pump on a float switch and forgot about it. Bilge comes on every couple hours and pumps out for 15s or so.

Thanks for the replies. Guys. We will see in a few days