Water damage under the hull

[sgyeomans]

I have a 1997 196. My question is, there are 2 vents in the corners of the windshield on the bow. Water apparently leaks into the vents and the carpet is wet most of the time under the bow.

Is there a way to attach drain tubes so water can be directed to under the flooring? I realize this would nulify the function of the vents and maybe, that's more important but the carpet under the bow was wet most of the summer and I'm concerned about the carpet deteriorating.

Any suggestions?

Steve Y

[DanielC]

RE: Water damage under the hull

Those two vents are attached to a plenum chamber that goes to the big hose just in front of the kick panel at the driver's feet. It should be sealed, so any water that gets into the vents just travels through the plenum, into the big hose, and down into the bilge.
If your boat has a heater I would suspect a leaky core in the heater first.

[sgyeomans]

Rply to Water damage under the hull

Thanks for the reply - I had planned to pour a half glass of water into the vent to see if I could "prove" that the vent was in fact leaking but didn't get to it. I did see the duct work coming off the heater core had come loose but I never thought to check to see if the hose connections that circulate water to/from the heater core were loose. I'm assuming tightening the clamps with a screw driver is the appropriate thing to try. Do I need to be careful as to how much I tighten up the hose clamps (i.e., concerned about breaking a plastic fitting on the heater core if it's plastic vs. metal)?

Thanks again for the info!

Steve Y

[Rick]

RE: Rply to Water damage under the hull

Tighten away. Its hard to get enough torque to overtighen a hose clamp with a screwdriver. If you were using a socket wrench I would be a different storyThe core is copper. Just make sure after you tighten the clamps you check for leaks. Heater cores are notorious for rotting out. It may not be the clamps.