Two questions...

[backpain...]

I got an 81 Fisher Marine 16 ft Aluminum bass boat on Monday and I have a few questions you guys might be able to help me with.

Question #1 Does a livewell overflow drain have to be above the waterline to work? I see only one thru-hull fitting beside the livewell. I am assuming both the drain and the overflow tubes would go to the same drain, but it appears to be below the waterline. Will it still drain?

Question #2 What is the best way to fix a small leak? There is a small leak in the keel rib of the boat about mid-ship that I found by having water in the hull and it dripped onto the floor. It looked as if the PO simply gobbed silicone caulk on it and hope for the best. I am not worried, as it has a working bilge pump and I have an emergency backup. My wife on the other hand is freaked out a bit and wants it fixed. What is the easiest way to fix it? A local welder said he would do it for $225, I said no thanks... A friend gave me some plumbers epoxy (the kind in the tube that you kneed into a compound) and said that should work. I am hesitant to use that because I am not sure it won't corrode the aluminum making the situation a disaster. I wouldn't want to go from a pinhole to a pothole!

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[CFFF 1.5]

Question 1: Yes it will still drain. My overflow drains below the waterline and works just fine. Actually my drain and overflow is the same outlet.

Question 2: The best product I found is called West System #101 Repair Pack. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/28493/377%20710%204294967141%201823%20993/712/west%20system/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/WMPrice|1?N=377%20710%204294967141%201823%20993&Ne=712&Ntt=west%20system&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=WMPrice|1&keyword=west%20system&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=95&subdeptNum=674&classNum=674

I used this on my Dad's boat that had a hole in the keel of an aluminum boat and it sealed the hole completely.

[zerofivenismo]

Another fix for your leak would be aluminum welding rods from the likes of harbor freight and northern tool for approx $15. You can weld using a propane torch.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44810

Good luck!

[Fishing Rhino]

Quickest, easiest and probably the cheapest is to get a small tube of 3M5200.  Clean the area an inch or so around the hole thoroughly on both the inside and the outside. 

Put a good sized dab on the hole and then press it through the hole 'til you get a drop or so on the opposite side.  Put a piece of packaging tape over it, then spread it out just a bit, a half inch diameter spread would be fine.

Do this by putting a piece of the two inch square piece of wax paper over the drop.  Spread it, then press the edges of the tape down around the 5200, and then put a piece of wide packaging tape over it, and press it to the hull.  Do the same on the inside.

You'll be able to use the boat as soon as you are done.  If the 5200 gets wet before it sets up, it will not be affected.

[Glenn]

Sikaflex 292 is your friend!

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP80820897.htm

[backpain...]

Thanks a lot for all of the suggestions, I really appreciate it.

I just purchased the boat and have yet to get a chance to really see how bad the leak is. Every time I have looked at it I was in my suit and tie looking under as best I could without needing a dry cleaners visit. 

Hopefully this weekend I can get under there on my back and see fully what I am up against and decide on which product to use. I just know that I don't have money to pay a welder 225$ to stop a drip leak.

[backpain...]

Thanks for the advice guys, found a JB Weld product called waterweld. I used it on the problem spot as per instructions and the hull is now dry as a bone.