SV211 bilge filling when surfing

[homer12]

So I've been getting a fair amount of water in the bilge when surfing our 2004 SV211 lately. I'm running extra ballast and a homemade suckgate / wakeshaper. Originally I was thinking it was all water coming through the side air vents but I taped that up pretty good with duct tape last time and still getting enough water for the bilge to run every couple of sets.
Now I'm thinking the rub rail is the culprit and looking to reseal it over the winter. Anyone have any good tips for doing that?


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[homer12]

Anyone ever dealt with resealing there rub rail seam? I'm sure 211 owners have dealt with this but maybe others too???

[Infinity]

If you are running a suckgate, you are running level, right? If so why do you think the rubrail is leaking if you are not listed over a bunch? You could be right, just curious as to what made you come to that conclusion.
Something else to think of...assume you have bags since you said you are running extra ballast, like 2 months ago I noticed my bilge kicking on occasionally and realized after some searching that the fitting at bottom of PnP bag was leaking a little, I put pipe dope on it and screwed it back in and all has been good. Also on older boat, possible you have some other kind of leak....something in exhaust riser worn thru, bad gasket/seal or a leak somewhere else like shaft seal? Just some thoughts....before you rip into the rub rail, I would look back there really well with a flashlight while someone else runs the boat thru paces at different rpms since some leaks may only happen after there is so much water pressure. You could pinpoint the source of the leak that way.

On the rubrail question, I have seen some u-tube videos on that and does not look really difficult....hear its hardest to remove and then a heat gun or hair dryer to heat up while you bang in with rubber mallet (if I remember right). I am a BOATUS member and get their quarterly magazine, I believe the last one (not the most recent, the one before), had a DIY article on replacing the rubrail. You can probably find it online.

[homer12]

Infinity, thanks for the thoughts! Here's more detail. The bilge only seems to run when loaded for surfing. Running even weight, no listing. The suck gate does throw a lot of water up the side of the boat against the rub rail and the 211 also has a rub rail right near water line at the stern.
I'll be in the boat next weekend and will do some more investigating while someone else drives. Will let you know


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[CharlieP]

Mine was leaking in through the swim platform bolts.

[homer12]

CharlieP. How did you seal that up?


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[CharlieP]

I used a 3m marine sealant.

[Infinity]

5200 is the best from what I have heard for the sealant, could be a number of things. Perhaps even with the suckgate throwing up water, its getting into rear locker. Let us know what you find. Hopefully its something simple

[homer12]

So I’m going to tackle sealing this rub rail area in the back 1/3 of the boat this spring. I’ve definitely narrowed down the incoming water to what I believe is the problem. Did they put 04 deck and hulls together with screws or rivets? Also, would silicone do the trick for sealing or definitely use 5200? I’m very nervous about using 5200 because of how permanent and tough it will be to redo it messed up


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[Infinity]

homer12 I don't know how they put deck together, sure someone else does.....

3M makes 3 marine compounds that I know of:
5200 is pretty permanent and mostly used for thru-hull fittings. You are right, if you gotta take it apart, you may break it, stuff is strong as ****
4200 is a little less permanant, still a pretty strong bond tho
4000 UV is "semi-permanent" but it will come apart without breaking something and probably what you would want to use.
They are all waterproof and durable (I believe they say the life span is 10yrs). I would say you want to use the 4000. Silicone is something that IMO may not be something you want in marine application cause it wont stand the test of time and it would not surprise me if you had leaks again in couple years with the constant movement you have in a boat. I know the 100% silicone at Lowes/Home Depot says they wont shrink or crack....but I would say they expect it to be a stationary object
My .02 anyway

[Infinity]

Check out this video, talks about all the sealants, called understanding marine sealants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-aQzoHqM80

[homer12]

Does anyone know if the deck and hull are riveted or screwed together?


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[mikenbike211]

Does anyone know if the deck and hull are riveted or screwed together?


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Water can also enter through the blower vents on the side


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[markj]

^^^Agreed. I had this problem of "mystery water" coming in on my 2005 210 bilge when we had it listed . I paid attention and figured out it was coming in the side rear vents. Low-tech duct tape patch on the surf side fixed it.

[homer12]

I have gone the tape job route and it still seemed to come in at the same rate.