Water comming out of V-Birth Drain area?

S

socal_2376

New member
Hi,

I just noticed this when testing my 1987 Angler. After about 4 miles in chopy water I noticed about 1/3 cup of salt water which was "ozzing" out the marine silicone near the brass plug near the entrance to the V-Birth. I inspected the Hatch and Anchor well and saw no visible sign of water/moisture. I read through previous threads and suspect the Bow cover,(I forget the name but it runs along the bow and is screwed in) -- I recall the previous owner saying he removed and replaced the screws but he never said why.

Is it common to leak there? I am concerned that there may be damage to the balsa core? Concerned if I use the boat like this I may be damaging it?

Any advise appreciated!

BR,
Rick
 
One easy thing to check is to see if the drain for the anchor locker is properly sealed. Take the outer cover off and look in with a flash. On mine, there was not adequate caulk, and in rough water the water drained into the bow area. A little added caulk fixed the problem.

If not that, it could be from the common problem of water coming in through the screw holes for the screws that hold on the bronze stem strip under the bow.

Or it could be both.

Dave
 
Thanks for the replies.

This C-Dory does not have an anchor or locker inside . I checked around the hatch and all the thru-bolt for the bow eye for the trailer but did not notice anything indicating a potential area for water to enter. Actually I think it may be coming in from the Bull Nose. It looks like someone previousley removed and applied silicone. I was thinking of removing and inspecting and possibly using some quality marine filler and re drilling. Also wondering if the factory bull nose screws penetrate the inside "inner deck" and therby allowing water in past the screw?

Thanks,
Rick
 
I removed the long Brass Cover that runs over the Bow. I removed about 7 or 8 stainless screws. At least 2 of the holes the screws came out of had water dripping out of them. My conclusion is that water was entering thru the screws and getting into the inside of the boat in the enclosed Bow Area. I am surprised that this can happen considering that the length of these screws was less than 1''. Perhaps they are not the original ones. I was thinking of using a good epoxy filler and fill then re-drill the screw holes or perhaps fill them and leave the Brass piece off since I do not plan on beaching the boat. Would there be an negative effects of going without the Brass Bow Cover? Anyone now how deep the original screw holes went and weather or not they penetrated all the way thru to the inside of the boat under the v-birth?
 
I would dry the holes, drill them out just slightly oversize, fill with epoxy and then pilot hole, put in new screws with 4200 under the brass strip. I probably would use silicone bronze screws if you can find the correct side and oval head type. There is some chance of the SS and Brass interacting. Before drilling I would sound each hole to determine it's depth--do not drill any deeper than that depth. Use a toothpick to put in the epoxy (Marine Tex will work fine here--after this is dry) No core in this area.
 
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