Todd2 Posted June 7, 2015 Posted June 7, 2015 Well, I posted on another thread that I purchased a used 2003 Tracker 175. I took it out for the first time and it takes water. To say I'm frustrated is an understatement. The previous owner said he had it out two weeks ago with no problem. So now I'm stuck. My old fish n ski was hard to fish out of but at least it never took a drop in 12 years. So, I'm looking for some help. When I pulled the plug it ran for a good minute after about 6 hours of fishing. Back in my garage, it dripped on the floor for about a day coming from the bottom of the keel guard (?). So what am I looking at here? Can I try to get a welder to weld the outside? Do I need to pull the front deck out to weld? Thanks for any help. Quote
nocluefisher Posted June 7, 2015 Posted June 7, 2015 I would revisit the previous owner, no way this is the first time it ever happened. Quote
curtis9 Posted June 7, 2015 Posted June 7, 2015 Are you sure it's a leak in the hull? I had a 2004 tracker and the live well pump housing cracked which filled the boat with water. After replacing that the boat was dry Quote
Super User slonezp Posted June 7, 2015 Super User Posted June 7, 2015 Put the plug in, fill the bilge with a garden hose and see if you can locate a leak in the hull. If so, there's probably floatation foam that will need removing before welding can occur. If not, one of your pumps or hoses is probably the culprit. 1 Quote
xhogger1 Posted June 7, 2015 Posted June 7, 2015 Did the previous owner remove any transducers or anything like that and not silicone the screw holes. You wouldn't believe how muck water can come thru 2 screw holes. Quote
Todd2 Posted June 7, 2015 Author Posted June 7, 2015 Ok, I found about a seven inch gash that runs along side the keel cover that was covered by epoxy. I had to sand down the peeling epoxy to find it. Shame on me for not crawling around underneath. I called him and he said the previous owner had done that and it didn't leak on him. He said he would split the cost of a repair and that he feels bad. So, sounds like I need to remove the front deck? Quote
bass crazy Posted June 9, 2015 Posted June 9, 2015 I suggest posting/checking on the Tinboats.com forum for advice, experiences on this type situation. I think i would talk to the welder before ripping the topside apart. I would try another epoxy J B weld repair first. Quote
Todd2 Posted June 10, 2015 Author Posted June 10, 2015 I found a local boat shop to do it reasonably so I'd rather go that route than try another epoxy. They can't get to it this week so while I'm waiting I'm going to install a trolling motor pedal tray and catch up on chores this weekend, lol. Quote
Todd2 Posted June 11, 2015 Author Posted June 11, 2015 How are they going to fix it? He's going to weld what he can see and then retest. Hopefully there is not more damage under the keel guard that we can't see. Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted June 12, 2015 Super User Posted June 12, 2015 *TM foot tray warning* If your boat is like my buddies Tracker, there is an aluminum brace that runs directly across where your tray will go. Luckily we noticed it before any cutting took place. Not sure how much it would compromise the strength of the deck, but we decided to hold off until we can come up with an idea to fix it properly. Quote
Todd2 Posted June 12, 2015 Author Posted June 12, 2015 *TM foot tray warning* If your boat is like my buddies Tracker, there is an aluminum brace that runs directly across where your tray will go. Luckily we noticed it before any cutting took place. Not sure how much it would compromise the strength of the deck, but we decided to hold off until we can come up with an idea to fix it properly. Yeah, I measured before I ordered and it's very close but I can squeeze it in without touching the brace. But it will drop down right next to it. Is his a 175? Quote
Thornback Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 More on JB Weld -- I had a deep 8" long scratch on the hull of my aluminum 175 Tracker. The scratch didn't penetrate but it looked ugly. I covered it with JB Weld and I swear it looks just like it has been welded. Has been holding for over a year. Quote
Junebugman Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 Marinetec makes some stuff too that works good patched up an old 6 gal omc tank doesn't leak a nubbin Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted February 13, 2016 Super User Posted February 13, 2016 I have poked several holes in my hull over the last 10 years doing stupid stuff. I never had to take the deck off or remove any foam to fix them. I have a local welding shop that has fixed them all from the outside. The welder told me that sometime the foam in the area he's welding gets "hot" and will drip into the weld area making a mess...........I told him if it did that........grind the weld off and start over, I wasn't too worried about paying the extra labor. My boat is in the water 4-5 days week often for 10-12 hours at a time. And I get about a quart or two of water out of it after a long day............sometimes...........other times nothing. In fact the only time the bilge pump will even pump any water is if the boat is higher on the nose heading up the ramp. There is a million ways water can get into a hull and unless it's gallons and gallons at a time I am never going to worry about it. If it ever comes to me having to keep the boat on the water, I will reseal all my through hull fittings with new clean epoxy, and sleep well at night..............unless I go down to the dock and get wet feet LOL. 1 Quote
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