Repairng problem on 1990 285XL

[Smokymountman]

I found an area on my ride that was holding water, it is right in front of the drain plug and directly under the batteries. If any one is interested in seeing the problme area or the repair exffort I will post the photos here. If there is no interest than I will not waste the storage space, just let me know.

[Al from Canada]

Hey Bruce..........post away, we don't worry about "wasting storage space"....

[Smokymountman]

Hope this works! This all started when I was getting water seapage even after having the boat out of the water for a week and daily sucking out the bilge area. Water never did get high enough to run out the drain hole. Does any one else have this problem or it just this boat?
Photo 1 Flipped up the seat and drilled a 4 inch inspection hole.
Photo 4 Close up of plywood plug, only slightly damp.
Photo 5 Inspection hole, appears to be right on end of damp wood, darker wood is to the back of the boat.

Photo 7 Looking thru factory whole under center live well towards rear. Arrows show possible cause of problem, holes allow water under compartment.

Photo 8 Another view of same hole. I plan to drill it out enough to get a sewer cam in the compartment to learn the condition. If not to damaged then I will seal the whole in photo 9, pour a half gallon of git rot in and run the boat around the block a few times to slosh the epoxy around and coat all affected areas, then reopen the whole in #9, let it cure and epoxy both ends of the compartment. I have already ordered a stethoscope so I can check for sloshing water in the future to make sure it isn’t leaking again.

Photo 9 This spot would leak out a cup or two of water per day. I opened up the spot and got roughly a gallon out of it, all water has been extremely clean and clear with no discoloration or debris. I am thinking it may be from pressure washing the boat when
I first got it roughly 2 months ago along with a wicked down pour. I probed inside the hole and all seams very solid, even ate up a tile bit in a dremel trying to open it up more.
This last photo is the plug to fix my the inspection hole and the hole I drilled to blow the water out and help dry it.

[Smokymountman]

I need some advice, I pulled the gas tanks today and got out the sawzall! The foam compartments behind and under the tanks had water in them. Only the edges of the foam was wet and the plywood was damp but sound. The wood was only damp on the underside. I do not think it is bad enough to warrant gutting it out as all wood is sound but I am considering drilling from the bottom up at the lowest points to let the water out and then reseal it. Has anyone ever tried this? Any ideas on what would work best to repair the holes with? All help would be greatly appreciated.

[lkhartwl]

I want to ask a question, do you keep the boat outside, under a tall alum carport of in a garage or a carport that is made for a bass boat?
I for one would not be cutting holes in the boat and gutting it if the wood is damp and not falling apart leave it alone and let it dry open all compartments and let it air dry. if you want you can put another layer of woven glass mat down and glass it in. on the point of the decks holding the batteries, you could drill a little hole and try to let it drain but I again would advise against it as if you get water in the bilge the foam will suck it up and take forever to dry. you will never be able to totally reseal if you drill especially if you put the tanks back sliding them will probably pull the sealent or glass out. , since you have the boat apart just let it dry out it will especially if you have it in a shed or in the garage, or even in a carport made for a boat ( low ceiling and low sides). if outside well good luck with rain and such . If you have a storage area available where you can drive the boat into do it and just let it sit for a couple weeks in the heat and dry and it will dry out itself.
it was wet under my tanks when I pulled them but I cleaned the area and wiped it down and left the tanks out for 3-4 days and when I came back it was dry as heck. good luck, Steve