Question for Skipjack Owners

[Paddyman]

We have the 25 sportsmans model and currently have the motor removed for some repair work. We were adding a new bildge pump today and had water come up through one of the new screw holes for the bildge pump. (boat is on a trailer) The bottom of the bildge is flat and the hull a V. Obviously, there is water below the flat surface in the bottom of the bildge V. The question is, where did this water come from, and how do we remove it. The water is not salt water so I am thinking rain water may have leaked into the center V of the boat and below the flat portion of the engine compartment bildge.

We are considering drilling into the flat portion of the bildge to remove any water in the V with a small pump and then repair with glass/cloth

If anyone has any info on this and how to correct the issue it would be greatly appreciated.

The motor is set to go back in next week and we would like to get this resolved.

I am trying to get a pic added butIi need to go take a few...

Thanks in advance...

Mike

 

[DaveR]

I haven't seen a flat bilge condition in a Skip. In both of mine
the bilge was the hull. I wonder if it was a later owner mod?

 

[Paddyman]

Might have been. Has a recent repower but don't know why they would modify the bildge. Looks factory but who know. What do you think about tapping into the area below to extract the water. Don't know if the bulkhead behind the tank goes all the way to the v in the hull. Still has original tank so want to get the water out in fear that it passes in front of the bulkhead and into the foam around the tank. We have the boat on a trailer until next week so any water below the flat portion of the bilge will be in the rear of the boat.

As always.....thanks for your imout david....mike

 

[DaveR]

Mike, I haven't crossed that bridge before.

You might want to consider removing the flat and have the bilge be the hull inside. That way you have no enclosed space where this could happen. Besides the plug should be at the very bottom of the transom V, allowing complete drainage when not in use.

Or I imagine that drilling some holes in the hull and in the floor to drain and allow to dry would be best. That way you can see some wood samples and get all the moisture out if you let sit for a long while. Good to leave engine cover up (except during rain) and possibly fans and/or pump low level heat (warmth) into that space until you know it's dry. Then fill the holes using wood plugs, fiberglass & resin to industry standards.

Just some thoughts... hopefully others with your hull will respond on why you might have that flat bilge sitch...
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[Paddyman]

Thanks. If I can get a response from another 25 sc owner that ther bilge is in fact the v hull, I may remove. The flat portion of the bilge stops about 4 inches before the plug and transfers back to the v. I am thinking this was done sometime after the boat was originally purchased.

Thanks. Mike

 

[skipopotamous]

there is soaked wood under the glass

 

[skipopotamous]

David (Outlawman) your 28 is the same. You just have a stringer resting in the center.

Shit they were all made basically the same way. Nothing different from a 24/25/28 (hull and stringer configuration) thats what made them so great.

20 is another story tho

when I got my 24fly it had the same stringer layout as your 28.

 

[skipopotamous]

I haven't seen a flat bilge condition in a Skip. In both of mine
the bilge was the hull. I wonder if it was a later owner mod?

Look at your gas tank post. Your center stringer is glassed to the flat stringer that runs up to the front.

 

[DaveR]

David (Outlawman) your 28 is the same. You just have a stringer resting in the center.

Shit they were all made basically the same way. Nothing different from a 24/25/28 (hull and stringer configuration) thats what made them so great.

20 is another story tho

when I got my 24fly it had the same stringer layout as your 28.

Yes, but it sounds like his 25 is different. I used to own a 25 FB and the bilge is essentially the same as yours, just like my 28 is too. As I mentioned it sounds like it was modified...

Mike, can you post pics of it?
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[skipopotamous]

Hes got a delaminated stringer, some how water has entered into the flat stringer area.


http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/ch...ipjack-28-paddy-hopper-ii-gets-fuel-tank.html

David nice job by the way...good DYI to post. Should save someone a fortune in the future.

 

[Paddyman]

ours is not like the pics. we have about a foot of flat from one side of the v to the other. looks like it was glassed like that at the factory. i just spoke to jd who has the same hull and he said he has the flat are as well. starts at the bulkhead behing the tank and rus about 4 inches shy of the drain plug where it tapers back to V. needless to say, there is water below it and it needs to come out.

mike

 

[skipopotamous]

Paddyman post a pic.

There is a 25 fisherman a few spot down from me. Ill check it out tomorrow

 

[Paddyman]

I am going to run down to the boat and take a few pics.

 

[Albiebac]

Hey Mike,

So, let me try this again, stupid wi-fi died on me when I went to post. Btw, I'm the guy who bought some pebbles from you last month.
Below is a pic. of my bilge, and yes yours is factory. My guess is you had a bilge pump where I do and water leaked in from one or more of the screw holes.

Here's a pic. where it ends at the transom, the wood looks thin, possibly plywood???

I'd say bite the bullet now while the motor is out, cut down the center, peel the delamed glass back as far as it will go, dig out the bad wood, replace with fresh wood, epoxy on new heavy fiberglass mat roving, then rest easy.
As a side note, when I bought my boat, I called the factory about a hole in one of my stringers and possible wood damage and they said all the wood could be gone and the hull wood be fine, the glass is so thick, the hull would be just as strong, minus the engine mount area, dry wood is needed there. When you think about it, has ANYONE ever heard of a Skipjack hull flexing, cracking or breaking?

Best of luck, always something...btw, I need more pebbles.

Eric

 

[Paddyman]

ok here is the pic. let me know what you think. mike

 

[Paddyman]

eric. mine is the same. time to do some work!!

 

[Albiebac]

While you're at it, re-do the drain plug. Stick your finger in the hole, does it feel wet? I drilled mine out and 5200'd a 3/4 PVC pipe to provide a solid barrier between the wood and water. No matter what, there's always some water down there, and that's why you see that small automatic bilge pump down there.

 

[Paddyman]

we thought the water might have come from the bilge pump screw. we pulled them today and one of them came right out with no sealant.....

definitely plywood under the glass on the flat portion....

 

[CaptnJD]

You don't want to screw down the bilge pump in the way back.. Ever try to reach down there to clean it out or service it? I leave an extra bit of hose and wire so that its easy to pull it up a ways to clean out or service. If you cut just the right length of hose so that it makes about a half circle and lays right where you want the pump. You will save yourself a big hassel down the road when it gets clogged up with shit or needs replacing. Also a couple of weights tiewrapped to the pump will help keep it put. Just my two cents on that.

 

[Paddyman]

makes sense....thanks for the input. mike

 

[CaptnJD]

I wouldn't worry about a little water under the glass down there. Hell I doubt that there are any twenty year old boat out there that don't have some. Now if you notice that your water line is rising to where the water backs into the scuppers. Better do somethin. JD

 

[Albiebac]

Hey James,
Not sure if you looking at mine, or just an FYI for Mike. I actually have 2 2000gph pumps and the 500gph pump in my bilge, so clogging isn't my greatest concern. The two back pumps are also 5200'd to glass, no screws there. I'm all for redundancies in the systems.

 

[Paddyman]

well. now i am glad i put a screw in there, otherwise i would have never known of the water. at the very least, i will open and drain and go from there....mike

 

[CaptnJD]

There you GO ERIC! Hell my bilge is so greasy it would take 10 gallons of acetone to clean a spot big enough to 5200 a pump down. I do have two ways to keep the bait tank flowing.. and a new pump at the ready just in case. A little water in the bilge is a concern. No water for the Bait is a CRISIS! HeHe..

 

[Albiebac]

What? You don't run with the washdown hose in your baittank when the pump for the baittank dies...??? Not saying who's done that before.