Transom plug leaks on 16 Angler

[Noreaster]

It seems like whenever I have my boat in the water for more than a couple hours I get a little water on the floor. I'm guessing it's coming thru my transom plug. I've changed it several times but still end up with a little water on the floor. Has anyone ever had issues with water going around the plug (between the brass fitting and the transom)? If so how would I fix it? Also, does anyone know if the coring is sealed before the brass fitting is installed. I'm concerned that some rot could set in if it is not sealed.

 

[nordicstallion]

Are you sure its the plug that leaks? When I bought my 19 there was always water on the deck. It turned out it was comeing in thru the bilge pump because the discharge hose went behind the fuel tank & up to the outlet & every time I rolled to port it took in a sip. Replaced the hose so that it went behind the tank then up to a point above the outlet about 3 or 4 inches then back down to the outlet. dry as a bone since. Vern C-Dog

 

[thataway]

In the boats I have looked at, the core of the transom was not sealed in the area in the way of the brass tube. Typically the hole is drilled, a sealant is applied, and the brass tube is flared in place tightly. I would look to see if water was coming in around the tube. If it is leaking, I would remove the tube, and then route out any core for about 1/4" out from the hole for the tube. Then I would re seat the tube, bedded in epoxy.

 

[seabeagle]

Before adding the camperback, I noticed water would blow back from the waves I hit and end up in the back. It depended on wind direction.

 

[Robbi]

On the 16 that I had, it leaked water at the plug. I was
fearful that it was coming in on the outside of the brass
tube. I tightened the plug ( a screw expander type) until I
Couldn't tighten it any more. It still leaked. As a last resort, I
Used a fine grit sandpaper to clean the inside of the brass tube.
That did the trick. No more leaking.

Robbi

 

[Noreaster]

I got the boat out on a rare calm day and noted that the boat didn't "leak". I've been aware for a long time that any sort of chop would cause it to rain in the cockpit (just ask the guy that sits on the cooler when we fish with 3 guys). Corrosion in the tube was not the issue either. So it would appear that the issue was indeed water back feeding thru the bilge pump fitting on the port side. I'm going to try and put a small loop above the fitting to see if I can minimize the effect. One of the reasons I bought a C-Dory was being tired of getting forced off the water every time the wind hit 15 knots or better, so I'll live with it. At least I'll know what's going on. Thanks for all the great input.

 

[digger]

The loop idea will work. I did it on Snoopy-C when I noticed water coming into the boat when it was rough...I also found that sometimes water can come into the gas tank vent if it is sloppy enough, thus a loop sometimes is necessary in the fuel vent lines. Ron

 

[Noreaster]

Well, the loop in the bilge line did not fix the issue. I finally removed the cockpit drain tube. There was some moisture present, so I'm sure this was the issue. Something I found that I didn't expect was that the area near the tube was structural foam not balsa. I ordered a new drain tube and flaring tube from Moeller and after letting it air out for 2 weeks, cored the hole and then sealed the hole with epoxy. The following day I installed the new tube with 4200 fast cure. It came out great and more importantly, doesn't leak anymore. I fished 4 days in a row after doing the repair and it stayed dry the whole time.

 

[C-Nile]

I think Robbi may be right. On my CD 16 Cruiser, a very slight amount of water formed in the space between the tube and the plug. I just lived with it, because the boat was in a wet slip.