outboard well drain hole
Submitted by shane78 on Mon, 2015-05-25 09:03
Hey guys just wondering if there is a reason why there is a hole in my outboard well other than to drain, i have a 18ft baron ski runabout and if i have a bit of weight in the back when fishing it gets a bit of water and in some cases gets enough to drain into the deck from the engine hoses hole, do i need this hole or can i put a bung in it only reason i ask is i would like to put a bench in the back for skiing and river cruises and dont want too much weight in back if it cant take it
Thanks guys another nube question haha
scubafish
Posts: 962
Date Joined: 15/08/12
water in boat
Shan I use to get water coming in from the well through the cable hole as the rubber boot doesn't seal properly,so i got a tube of sikaflex and filled it in.
Tape up the inside of the hole around the cables then fill the outside with siko,comes in white or black and dries like rubber.
Problem solvered.
However note:if you are getting water in the hull below deck this is another problem that needs to be looked at.
http://img.gg/BQ91Sys
shane78
Posts: 79
Date Joined: 10/12/14
Yeh only water in to deck
Yeh only water in to deck just seems like a stupid place to put hole too low in my opinion putting silicon in there is what has been done before so will do again cheers mate
scubafish
Posts: 962
Date Joined: 15/08/12
sikoflex
Shane ,don't just use silicon ,use siko and clean the fiberglass around the hole with acetone so you get a good bond to the glass.
http://img.gg/BQ91Sys
Walfootrot
Posts: 1385
Date Joined: 23/07/12
Sounds like the cable/hose
Sounds like the cable/hose hole is to low or the motor is heaver than boat design
More drum lines, kill the bloody sharks!
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
motor cables should be at
motor cables should be at least 3 inches above the rear on the transom (lowest point) and well above drain hole but often installers route them lower to avoid bends/kinks in the cables.. want to rectify either way - either route it higher and seal hole (best solution) or seal as much as you can to lessen water coming in _ i'd go the re-route myself - it is a potential boat sinking problem depending on a number of other factors (cockpit deck hatches and associate seals) bilge/battery capacity etc.
PS put up a pic showing the engine well depth etc before considering sealing it - ideally you want it draining for a reason - - Auto bilge in the engine well would be another option if sealing it but again not ideal (better than just sealing it) they drain for a reason.
PPS do you have basic fibreglassing skills if so there is a reasonably easy way to move the cable hole up.
i.e. Cut the hole upwards on both sides into a new circle - so you end up with a oval shape (with the original circle/hole at the bottom and the new circle/hole (of same size) at the top) - pull/support the cables to the top of the "new hole" - flip the piece you cut out to the bottom and patch back in from the inside and gelcoat the well. then just have to put on a grommet (cut - put around cable and the glue/seal cut in grommet) and presto hole now higher. :-)
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos