Stern Tube Leak

[Fire99]

Afternoon folks,

I wonder if you can help me with this little issue. My Trader has developed a persistent drip (about a drip per second) from the bottom of where the stern tube meets the fibreglass hull. There is the bronze fitting with a very large hexagonal hut and it's dripping from behind there.. I've attached the pics. The shafts were new a couple of years ago, prior to my purchase so all the fittings are fresh etc. Obviously the bilge pump picks up the water without issue but it's not something I want to leave for too long.

The stbd side is also doing it but very lightly.

The fittings where the packing is compressed are dry as a bone. It's the first pic where the bronze meets the hull, is where the drips are coming from

Any suggestions would be appreciated..

cheers,

Nick

 

[IDAMAY]

Nick,

Is it possible you could put an indicator on the first photo to show exactly where the drip is coming from?

Richard.

 

[Fire99]

Sure.

Nick,

Is it possible you could put an indicator on the first photo to show exactly where the drip is coming from?

Richard.

 

[Tranona]

That looks like the bond between the stern tube and the GRP is failing and water is seeping up the outside of the stern tube.

 

[lusitano]

As above, stern tube/hull sealing will need replacing but some underwater curing type epoxy putty would probably help in the meantime

 

[IDAMAY]

Yes, it certainly looks like the bond. Are you planning to have her out of the water for routine antifoul, etc this Spring?

 

[Fire99]

Thanks guys... Annoyingly I only just had her out the water to remove a failing trim tab so only noticed this one when she went back in the water. But she'll have to come out again to fit replacement trim tabs, but I hadn't planned on doing that imminently. It's a pricey business this lift out lift in game..

 

[Fire99]

So I'm wondering if I can temporarily bond the inside with the two part underwater epoxy to quench the drip?

 

[IDAMAY]

Certainly worth a try I would think. I have had a minor leak from the rudder stocks for ages. Intending to get it fixed this year.

 

[Fire99]

Certainly worth a try I would think. I have had a minor leak from the rudder stocks for ages. Intending to get it fixed this year.

Many thanks.. I'm just a little nervous relying on bilge pumps working. That said it would take quite a while to fill the engine room bilge..
These little leaks are a pain.. Good to know though, so it's another mystery solved why the engine room bilge was getting water..

Mine will definitely be out the water some point this season to fit the trim tabs.. (Another expensive lesson.. Corrosion rates are high in the marina and I didn't notice the trim tab anodes were gone, so the tabs ate away the fixing rivets and the retaining strap bolts sheered and one literally fell off!!)