need to speak to other Leeder tomcat owners urgent
Hi I have owned a Leeder tomcat now for 2 years and are just in the middle of rebuilding the 5.7L engine, the reason for the rebuild is due to corrosion as sea water has been getting into the engine bay. I have recently found out through a boat mechanic that this boat has had the same problem in the past....... have any other owners had this same problem? Apparently the sea water is getting through the engine hatch, it would be great to chat if anyone has and how you solved it. Also my boat is exhausted through the rear of the boat not the leg due to 5.7L and not the 3.6L and a normal exhaust will not fit in the engine bay but i plan to change this with modifications and was wondering if anyone else has done this in the past as I have been told the 3.6 was under powered but I dont know this for sure has i have always had a 5.7L in there..... If anybody could give me some advice here i would greatly appreciate it
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
Speedy, not a tomcat owner
Speedy,
not a tomcat owner but do you have a pic of you engine bay/hatch? - should be fairly simple to resolve
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
just had a look at a few on
just had a look at a few on boatsonline (links below) does your have the engine vents in the same spot? -if so does it have blowers? - my first guess would be that the problem is both that the back of a boat under power is a bit of a vacuum (drawing in air and spray behind it) and if you have no blowers in your engine room the air is being drawn through these vents for the engine
Putting another vent on the inside of the boat and a couple of blowers directed toward the rear vent (you should ahve these being a petrol inboard) will effectively ensure air is being pumped out the rear vent (bit like being pressurised) which should help reduce spray intake
The vent should have a water trap in it to - ie if you throw a cup of water at it the water should hit the back of the vent wall and run out the bottom of the vent... if its just and open vent or even slanted this is not enough to keep out water
http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/trailer-boats/leeder-tomcat-240/106080
http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/trailer-boats/leeder-tom-cat/118872
Rick
Posts: 1112
Date Joined: 22/12/06
Bait tank
Another place that we found water coming in a little, is the plumbing for the deck wash and live bait well. Turn your pump on and run them and just see if it drips.Live bait tank was the worst. The seal around the engine hatch that flips over, does become very hard and does not seal all that well.Almost needs a foam type seal. Mine had the 4.3mpi so can't help with exhaust issue.
PGFC Member
speedy01
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 18/09/12
pelagicyachts yes mine does
pelagicyachts yes mine does hane the same rear vent as the leeders you sent me and i do have 1 engine blower but have only been running it when I start the engine then switching it off, should I be running this all time? and where would you suggest I mount the air in take vents?
Rick Cheers mate i will check the live bait tank and deck wash.. where you happy with the power of thr V6
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
hi mate worth a try -just
hi mate
worth a try -just check to see if your blower is rated for continuous use - htey are not that expensive to replace if its not - seperately i would see if the vent lets water in
Air in take vent i would put on the other side (ie inside the boat)
rocket73
Posts: 37
Date Joined: 07/09/11
Maybe?
This might be a stupid (non-plausible) idea but can't it be pressure tested on land? Without knowing the specific set up I am only guessing - but it would be my first question.
doublej
Posts: 169
Date Joined: 08/07/09
I have have the 4.3ltr
Wouldn't say it is under powered. Gets up on a plane ok with 4 blokes on board and fully loaded.
But maybe top end speed could be a little more. I get 35 - 37knts WOT.
Cruise 22 - 24knts in vertually any conditions.
I just replaced my alternator in mine due to corrosion. It was still under warrenty so wasn't really an issue.
I thought and was advised by the mechanic that the bilge has had water in it a different stages and the water was being sprayed up be the crank pulley onto the underside of the alternator. .
Now when I think of it there is quite a bit space between the bottom of the bilge and the pulley. (maybe 1ft) so this may not be the case.
I havent seen any water in the bildge and run my bilge pumps on auto.
As Rick has mentioined the engine cover seal may need looking at. I know mine is perished and doesn't look that good.
I will also check the live tank & deck wash.
And maybe a quick spray of silcone spray after every use may also help.
One other thing I got told is if you could leave your engine cover open when not in use. Apparently alot of moisture builds up also.
My boat is stored outside so this is not an option for me. If you have it stored in a shed this may also help and let the bilge air out and breathe.
Cheers