Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by dsullivan on 08/30/24 - 1:28 PM

Hello, have a 1989 Outrage 18 and I noticed that the screws that attach the base of the bilge pump to the deck in the sump area were loose and thus not sealed. I've noticed that the boat sits a little lower in the water the past couple years than it used to and I know there are lots of posts about wet foam that makes it seem futile to do anything about that, but I figured it would at least be best to remove the screws and seal the holes to prevent more water from getting in there making it worse as there is always some water in the sump even if minimal as the pump can't get all of it. I picked up some 4200 sealant at the boat yard store and they said I should use a hair dryer to dry out the holes before filling them since the area needs to be dry for it to work. When doing this I noticed that holding the hair dryer near the holes it was bringing a steady but slowish stream of water coming up out of the screw holes. I had the hair dryer there for maybe 5-10 minutes. I'm not sure how much water came up as I kept drying it with a rag, but it was probably less than a shot glass worth or so if that. I tried sticking in some q-tips (w/o the tips as they were too wide) to push excess water out which didn't really do anything.

My question is, does anyone have any thoughts on what I could do about these holes? If I can get more water out before sealing them I would love to do that, but that probably would take forever, if it could even be done at all. Also, not even sure if it would dry/seal with the holes still being wet like that, so not sure what the best course of action would be.

thanks for any help/advise in advance.

Posted by Phil T on 08/30/24 - 5:55 PM

It is worth taking the time to get a bit more moisture out.

Drill out the screw holes for the pump and then use paper towels twisted into a wick, insert and let saturate, repeat.

After you have gotten tired of that, inject the holes with Lock-Tite Marine Epoxy into the holes. Trim off excess. Drill pilot holes for pump screws into the hardened epoxy and reinstall the pump.

Show us photos showing the waterline at the transom, the inside of the spashwell and we can give tailored advice.

Posted by dsullivan on 09/02/24 - 5:22 PM

Phil T wrote:
It is worth taking the time to get a bit more moisture out.

Drill out the screw holes for the pump and then use paper towels twisted into a wick, insert and let saturate, repeat.

After you have gotten tired of that, inject the holes with Lock-Tite Marine Epoxy into the holes. Trim off excess. Drill pilot holes for pump screws into the hardened epoxy and reinstall the pump.

Show us photos showing the waterline at the transom, the inside of the spashwell and we can give tailored advice.

Thanks for the reply. how wide should the holes be? there isn't anything under there I need to worry about hitting when drilling is there?

I tried to take some photos (first time trying to upload photo's might have to upload 1 at a time I guess?), the lighting was a bit weird but I tried to get a fee angles. images of the scuppers in the splash well with where the water comes up to as well as me standing on the splash well and the water that comes in when I do that. Also took some of the transom but lighting makes it a bit tough to see.

Edited by dsullivan on 09/02/24 - 5:23 PM