Leaky Boat - Finally diagnosed

[mo2vation]

Originally Posted by old_rookie

I was going to suggest that, but more of joke...
I thought kayaks were a single formed piece and not two halves welded together - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckN8Ot6lWRE - but not all kayaks are made the same way.

The OK's are roto-molded, I believe. Just like what the vid probably shows.

There was a period of several years when their scuppers didn't line up. Its wacky, I know - but true. Serious leak points. A buddy just bought a new old-stock red Scupper Pro TW - and you look into the scuppers and they're not at all lining up (her's is bone dry, tho...)

Roto-molding isn't perfect. There will be times when the fill isn't distributed evenly, inconsistencies in flow, etc. Some people have reported leaks in the most unexpected places.

I just got unlucky twice.

-K

[old_rookie]

In that case, it could be the two halves of the molds that don't line up very well. I wonder if you could put a sleeve down in the scupper with a bunch of marine goop on the outside of the sleeve before sticking it in (sounds wrong) - it would make the opening of the scupper smaller, but if the leaks stop who cares.

[Iceman]

With pin holes in the scupper I like to hit inside and out if possible with marine goop after completely drying and possibly scuffing the surface with 80 grit sand paper.

Too hard to weld.

[mo2vation]

Originally Posted by Iceman

With pin holes in the scupper I like to hit inside and out if possible with marine goop after completely drying and possibly scuffing the surface with 80 grit sand paper.

Too hard to weld.

Thanks, Ice.

The only hatch I have on the Prowler 15 is the bow hatch... no way I can reach back to the TW.

I roughed up the inside of the scupper from the outside of the boat ( ) and slathered in a fine cylinder of the Lexel snot.

We'll see.

I'm feeling pretty good about it. It was a substantial leak, but it was only in one place. Shouldn't be too hard to knock it down.

I'm taking the boat up to the Sierras this weekend for opener - so I'll be on stupid water for long hours. I'll know more tomorrow and likely give it another coat before I leave on Thursday night.

-K

[Jimmyz123]

Good luck, I hope is all works out for you.

[Iceman]

The first test I do on a kayak that comes in for a leak test is plug the scupper and fill it with water. If the water level drops there is a pin hole. Most if not all major manufacturers have struggled with pin holes where the 2 pieces of the mold come together in scuppers. Malibu has been retooling their molds, having them come together at the top now instead of midway down. Better quality control through better design.

[mo2vation]

Originally Posted by Iceman

The first test I do on a kayak that comes in for a leak test is plug the scupper and fill it with water. If the water level drops there is a pin hole. Most if not all major manufacturers have struggled with pin holes where the 2 pieces of the mold come together in scuppers. Malibu has been retooling their molds, having them come together at the top now instead of midway down. Better quality control through better design.

Great idea. Also makes it easier for you dealers to get in there with and weld up any issues - as I'm confident all if not nearly all of the leaky scuppers are at the seam and not on the tube.

Welding that seam would be a no brainer.

Super design improvement - moving the seam out of the center.

Nice.

-Ken