Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: 1991 Boston Whaler 16 SL
Posted by SKK14706 on 08/12/23 - 6:59 PM
#1
Hello, I am a new 1991 16 SL owner. It seems to hold a lot of water in the gas tank hold under deck, and is slowww to drain. I live in Washington and my boat will be under a lot of rainy fishing in the Puget Sound.
Right now it's connected to an external gas tank and I'm not even sure if the gas in the internal tank, or if the lines are any good. I opened the hatch and it looks pretty dirty. I haven't seen inside the tank yet.
It feels like the boat is a little stern heavy.
As of now, there's an older 75 hp mercury on it.
I'm going to be bringing my small family on board (5 of us) and don't want to hold a lot of water as well.
I have a bilge but it's set in the center long ski hatch.
Any info on either keeping the water flowing smoothly through all the drains, or a way I can make the deck and hatches water-tight?
Posted by Phil T on 08/13/23 - 8:17 AM
#2
Expand your comment, slow to drain.
What do you mean? Are all the plugs out and when on plane it takes a long time?
Note the actual water line at static rest, not the bottom paint.
Pull the boat. Inspect all the drain tubes, inside and out. Reseal if there is a lack of sealant.
Drain the main tank and dispose of contents.
Post results. Photos of the boat will help.
Posted by SKK14706 on 08/13/23 - 12:36 PM
#3
Thank you for your reply. I will try to post some pics of the boat right now
Edited by Phil T on 08/13/23 - 3:49 PM
Posted by SKK14706 on 08/13/23 - 12:38 PM
#4
Photo 2
Edited by Phil T on 08/13/23 - 3:50 PM
Posted by Phil T on 08/13/23 - 2:44 PM
#5
Derek -
I posted one of your photos I think is good for illustrating the under deck tank cavity, the ski locker forward and the aft fish lockers.
Are there drains with plugs for all of these lockers?
Edited by Phil T on 08/13/23 - 3:58 PM
Posted by SKK14706 on 08/13/23 - 4:15 PM
#6
Yeah, I do have all the plugs for all the drains on the boat.
It seems there is foam stuffed all around the internal 24 gal aluminum gas tank, and all the water is draining on top and filling up under deck.
Around all the deck storage lids, are gutters that water runs back in, straight into the gas tank storage. And there, it drains out super slow. It's also dirty on top of the tank, with a small drain hole that goes into the small port side storage
Posted by SKK14706 on 08/13/23 - 4:19 PM
#7
After my first driving test, I water tested the deck out and rinsed it with my hose, and found out it was taking forever to drain the water out of the gas tank storage.
Posted by SKK14706 on 08/13/23 - 4:41 PM
#9
The water is getting in gas area through the edges. And the drain is far too small of a tube.
Posted by Phil T on 08/13/23 - 4:48 PM
#10
I would consider adding a rubber gasket strip or a bead of sealant (not adhesive, like Boat Life's Life Caulk) to keep water out of entering the tank cavity.
Posted by Phil T on 08/13/23 - 4:54 PM
#11
More photos:
Posted by Phil T on 08/13/23 - 4:56 PM
#12
Transom drains:
Posted by SKK14706 on 08/13/23 - 4:59 PM
#13
Thank you, Phil!
I will be looking more into it.
I have to take the driver console off on order to get to the tank cavity.
Gonna be a fun project. I look forward for more input along the way and I'll keep everyone updated as well.
Posted by SKK14706 on 08/13/23 - 5:09 PM
#15
Nice! Do the duck bill style ones take water in reverse?
Posted by PeteVB on 10/17/23 - 3:25 AM
#16
I just purchased a 1993 16SL, It was neglected so I’m going through everything. The PO replaced the gas tank and installed a Moeller 12 gallon poly tank. This left a large void in the gas tank cavity , I pumped out 4 gallons of nasty water. I will be devising a plan to seal up the gas tank cavity from water intrusion . The original drainage plan for these boats is nuts. After I seal up all the points where water enters and supposedly exits the cavity I may install a second bilge pump and plumb it into the hose I have for the ski locker bilge pump.
Posted by Phil T on 10/17/23 - 5:26 PM
#17
You can have a replacement tank made for the cavity.
Use Boat Life's Life Caulk as a sealant for the tank cover.
Posted by PeteVB on 10/22/23 - 3:42 AM
#18
This was done by the previous owner, they installed a 12 gallon tank and changed the fuel fill to the deck instead of the transom, would have preferred the transom but it works.
I ended up sealing up the drain tribe from ski locker to fuel cavity ( dont get why BW drained the ski locker to the fuel cavity). Sealed the gap from rigging trough to fuel cavity (another head scratcher), I had a extremely dense squishy foam block that I had lying around, cut to fit around the fuel vent hose and caulked it. Replaced the deck plates and sealed them,. I think the fuel cavity will remain dry but I can remove the deck plate and pump out if needed, the deck plate is right above the void behind fuel tank.