Stringer Weep Holes???

[bheath]

I have noticed after boat washdown that water is collecting outside of the outermost port and starboard side stringers. Should there not be a way for the water to drain to the bilge? If so, what is the appropriate fix, drill and seal a weep hole in the stringer?

I will also work on trying to eliminate the leaks from the floor joints.

Thanks,
Brent Heath
Gainesville, FL
1982 Seacraft Scepter

[abl1111]

I have a 23' Tsunami ( same as a 23' Sceptre ). I have an i/o, and do not know if you have an i/o or an o/b.

I have factory holes cut thru the stringers to allow that water to get to the bilge. It is a hole w/ a rubber hose squeezed in thru it - cut flush on both sides.

Really, there is not enough water for you to worry about; when you are under way - that water should make its way over the stringer and into the bilge anyway.

However, if you want to get the water out of there ( 1st, sop up all the present water ), then I would take a 1" hole saw and cut through the stringer - as close to the floor as possible ( the stringer is glass on the outsides and foam on the inside ). Think this out first, to make sure the drill angle is do-able being so close to the floor.

If the hole can be drilled, do it. Then pre-cut a proper diameter hose to squeeze in the hole ( find out what kind of adhesive you could put on the hose - or use some West System epoxy and wet the hole - the foam area - to avoid water intrusion. Let that dry. Then, jam the hose in there and oila - you have a drain hole.

Or, you could just buy (2) of those big sponges at West Marine and keep them in that area to sponge the water - then ring them out every so often.

Good luck.

PS - For me, the water that gets in that area comes in from the air vents on the sides of the hull. All my deck hatches are sealed well, but if they did, they would leak directly into the bilge anyway.

[TUGBOAT]

Hi Brent,
I had that problem on My 20 MA.i t won't cause any problems other than holding water ? I added PVC pipe weep holes when I put a New Transom on. Just did'nt like the standin water.Having Xtra moisture / salt etc. in a closed up bilge in 180 % Humidity down here bothered Me! I'm sure You could put one in now? Use the ol' cotton rope (Wick) trick to seep the water over.
Scream'n reels'
Tug [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[bheath]

Thanks guys. I did not think it was much of an issue, but it just bugs me. I'll take care of drilling the holes this weekend.

Brent

[salvagefirst]

that little bit of standing water is what killed my transom. After i rebuilt my transom i added 2, 1 inch drains thru the stringers. Les

[strick]

dont forget to drill on a down hill angle following the slope of the hull bottom. Here is a pic of what I did with my boat



strick

[warthog5]

The "weep hole's" as you call them are actually called
"Limber's" [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[TUGBOAT]

Timber me limbers' !
or is it limber meTimber ugh never mind ! [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
Gets kinda boring down here when there's No Blowin ! Till the
30th this Month !!! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[bheath]

If you asked me to identify all the parts of a boat, I would have some interesting names [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Brent

[nestorpr]

Do it!