Northwest Fishing Reports

I've had a small leak in my boat since I picked it up in 2005. I've always thought the intake for the livewells was the issue. I've plugged everything and still had a leak. Last year I sat it in the water and it appeared the livewell intake was the leak.

Well, today we took one of the access "hatches" off in the motor well and put a garden hose in it. About 30 gallons later the leak appeared and this time it seemed to be behind the plate for the daisy wheel and the transducer. Took it off and found out that the dealership had stripped a self tapping screw when installing the plate and figured that putting a bunch of sealant around it was good enough.

Anyways, we redid things and for the first time in 9 years I may not have a leak. It was more of a pain in the butt leak and picked up 5 gallons or so of water per fishing trip.

Shame I never thought of filling the boat up with water before. I've always tried putting the boat in water and trying to look for the leak. It's easier sitting on a chair in the driveway waiting to the leak to appear. Also found an internal permanent drain plug in the boat. I've always used an external one. Once the hatch area dries out better I'll use the internal one and be done with the "did I put the drain plug in" thoughts. I've had those thoughts after a friend had 6 inches of water in his boat because his boat partner didn't put the plug in.

Good idea putting water in the boat as long as you dont fill it up enough to soak something you shouldn't

We were having a similar issue with a brand new Smokercraft we just bought. We only took on water when it was a little rough though. Finally figured out that the access hatch to the bilge pump wasnt sealed worth a darn. The base plate was riveted to the aluminum deck but had no sealer between the plastic hatch base and the aluminum. Plus the rivets were not cinched down tight. Some new rivets and some marine sealer fixed it right up.

I wonder if the dealership used the proper sealer or just cheap caulking? Ive plugged bad rivets "temporarily" on an old 18' riveted hull aluminum boat with 5200 that lasted 5 plus years - until I finally got around to fixing it properly.

The test run should be Wednesday or Thursday. Not sure if it will be the Potholes for walleye or a local lake for trout. I suspect the bilge pump won't be needed after that trip unless there's a rough day with a lot of spray.

Interesting timing! We will be taking our boat out for the first time after "fixing" our leak tomorrow. We're heading to Banks for the week after walleye, bass, etc etc

Good luck!