Water ingress through hull drive shaft bearing.

[noswellplease]

After the boatyard fitted a new prop to my boat I noticed water ingress. This was evident in the bilge when I boarded the boat which I simply pumped out. I put it down to the heavy rain we had been having and suspected some undetected weakness in the deck
This week after no rain I noticed the same thing however the water level had risen quite a bit in the bilge.
Recently after boarding at least 6 inches was evident in the bilge, (a 12 mile trip across the bay with friends planned) Pumped out dry , start trip, but water back to same level within 30 minutes. Trip cancelled, back to boatyard, lifted out and found one of the two bolts holding the through hull bearing for driveshaft missing.

Question mechanic who worked on boat and informed due to wear and tear, "its an old boat" he said.

My question. Can a mechanic actually change prop and there was a lot of pulling and pushing to get the prop in due to space restrictions etc. and not fail to check the integrits of this fitting and also what precaution might be taken to ensure it does not happen again. I don't think "wear and tear" is good enough it seems more like criminal endangerment to me?
Anyone have views on subject or experience something similar. If the electric bilge pump didn't work, well best not dwell on that!

 

[SoulFireMage]

Get an independent marine engineer to have a close look at this for you.

I don't like the sound of the bolt being missing either. Niether does the vague explanation offered hold water (couldn't resist). Our boat is 30 years old and just had new deep sea seals installed. One was very difficult to get out, needed gas axe heating and massive banging around etc to get her tight flange off. Yet, out at sea no new leaks.

Definitly have a reliable qualified second opinion.

 

[MoodySabre]

If it wasn't leaking before then undoubtedly the action of replacing the prop was the cause of the bolt coming out. Wear and tear is not a factor unless there has been some galvanic action on the bolt. (Check/replace the other bolt). It may not have been the mechanics fault per se but you would have expected him to notice it - bolt working loose then on the floor.

If the mechanic works for the boatyard then a compromise might be a free lift out and fix. If he doesn't then you need to negiotate a sharing of the expense at least.