Is it normal for boat to drain quite alot of water after about 20 min sitting in water? Drain plug was in.?

Question

Pulled boat up on trailor and took plug out. Water drained for about 2-3 min. Seemed like a lot of water. First boat so not sure how much water is normal. Like I said, boat was in water for maybe 20 min, just sitting (engine wouldn't turn over). Not sure how all that water got in. Fiberglass 16" Glastron, outboard motor.

Answer 1

This will require a little further testing on your part, or a little more clarity.

If the boat was empty then in the water for 20 minutes, you shouldn't have much water in there at all, no more than a trickle. If you never checked the boat before hand that was a bit of a mistake, you always make sure your tanks are empty before launching. The plug should be out all the time when shes on land. Just always remember to put her in before launch.. seen that mistake been made, made that mistake on one occasion!

Second: Next time, if in 20minutes she has gathered that much water, on emptying it dribble a little on your finger.. salt or fresh? if your in salt water and its fresh then its rainwater thats not draining on the trailer. This would also mean your hull is leaking from the inside - most likely a fitting.

If its from the outside you have a fairly major leak (3 mins drainage for 20mins on water. Usually this happens where there is a through hull fitting or at the point where the gunwhales and hull are joined. Close inspection should show.

For fittings they need to be refitted, see one of many online tutorials. For joints, inspect closely and use a syringe to inject epoxy resin into the gaps having first doused them with acetone. This process is usually much easier if you can flip the boat depending on the angle of the joint - again, see an online tutorial.

Test this BEFORE taking your boat out. That kind of leakage could be serious, test at the dock!

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Always make sure that the bow is higher then the stern while boat is out of water, if it is not then rainwater will collect. If the auto used to pull the boat sits to low water can pool in the bow instead of draining out. If you know that there was no water in the boat when you launched, then yes that is to much for that short of time. You can put the drain plug in and use a hose to put 20-30 gal.s in the boat with it sitting level. Then look underneath it for leaks.

Answer 3

All these answers are great answers. The only thing that I can add is that I would also take a look at the hull for any cracks or hidden damage that may be allowing water to enter. I have seen holes in transoms,  below the waterline,  that was from hardware being  removed such as old motor mounts, depth finders and speedometer pick-ups. They take them off and then do not seal the hole properly. You can get quite a bit of water through a relatively small hole in a short period of time. Examine your hull and follow the other answers and hopefully it will help you resolve your problem. Happy Boating.

Answer 4

Unless you  have a leak it seems a bit high, was the boat in the open prior to going in the water? could be rain water.

Answer 5

make sure the bow of the boat is higher than the  Stern while on the trailer with the drain plug out