Strange Leak

[Harvey]

I have a 1981 Potter designed Seacraft SC 23 and I have a strange problem. when boat is at mooring all is dry. If I power along in calm water at about 28mph
water enters bilge. If I turn on pump every 10 minutes while underway it will pump salt water out for 10 to 15 seconds. This continues till boat is at rest or at mooring. I am told it might be a scupper problem which I am unable to find. I have sprayed water from garden hose at and in scupper while boat on trailer but nothing definitive. Is scupper inside a fiberglass shell or is fiberglass the scupper.
Appreciate any input and thanks
Harvey/Marion, MA

[Capt Chuck]

Harvey

Two areas I would examine:

1.) The Forward Fish Box Drain tube starboard side. Most were plastic and gets weak and cracks as flexing occurs between the hull and inner liner. When your running, a suction drains the box and if compromised will also suck water into the bilge.

2.) If you have a raw Saltwater Pickup into the hull via a SeaCock, check the line it feeds, baitwell, washdown etc...for leaks & then close the seacock and see if the water is still coming into the bilge while running.

Check your PM and you can call me

Chuck

[jongolds]

I would check the rub rail. I have an issue there.

Also, even while on the mooring you may be getting water in but it may be sitting in the bilge in the bow and not getting to the pumps in the stern until the bow comes up when you get on plane. In my Tsunami, there is a low point in the bilge up in the bow that can collect water.

[Harvey]

Originally Posted by Up Chuck

Harvey

Two areas I would examine:

1.) The Forward Fish Box Drain tube starboard side. Most were plastic and gets weak and cracks as flexing occurs between the hull and inner liner. When your running, a suction drains the box and if compromised will also suck water into the bilge.

2.) If you have a raw Saltwater Pickup into the hull via a SeaCock, check the line it feeds, baitwell, washdown etc...for leaks & then close the seacock and see if the water is still coming into the bilge while running.

Check your PM and you can call me

Chuck

I will check out your sugestion tomorrow. Its starting to get dark up here in the netherland.
Harvey

[CaptMick]

Since you have not said that anything was done to the boat since it was built I will suggest one odd thing to look at. Check if the transom flexes at the bottom where it meets the hull. I ran an I/O boat commercially that looked fine at rest in the water and did not take on water but when we were under power the transom flexed and let water in at the bottom of the bilge. You could look in the engine compartment as you throttled up and see the water start to come in.

But I agree with Chuck and Jon as well.

[WildBill]

My 1979 23 Sceptre would leak the same way also. My Rule bilge pump ran over time while we were running. It was leaking through the scupper that fed the in floor live well. The live well is part of the inner liner and as the boat moved through the water the hull and inner liner moved independently enough so that water entered between the scupper and mast/stem so that water entered the hull. There was only one castle nut on my scupper and it was in the live well. I ended up re 5200ing the scupper, castle nutting the scupper to the hull and castle nutting the live well. You'll need extra hands. But it solved my leak. I was not the only Seacraft owner who identified this leak as one good friend and fellow Seacraft owner passed on the tip.

Good Luck.

[Capt Chuck]

Originally Posted by Harvey

I will check out your sugestion tomorrow. Its starting to get dark up here in the netherland.
Harvey

Yo Harvey
Do remember what happens when it's dark in mile maker "0" and Sailor Jerry motivates you