[bedwards5003]

I have found a 3/8" hole in the hull of my Niagara 31 under the engine in a tranverse frame. It is weeping water at a slow rate into the boat. The hole seems to go all the way to the "S" drive leg and looks to have been drilled as the hole is centerline and perferctly circular. Have any of you Niagara 31 owners out there encounter this on your boats?

 

[bluwateronly]

Hope you did not piss someone off and they dived under your boat and drilled a hole, just kidding. A picture would help alot. But if water is coming in does not sound like a good thing. I would fill it and fiberglass it closed if I found out it has no use. Probley one of those mods made by PO. Yep, post compleatly useless

 

[bedwards5003]

Thanks for the reply... I doubt there was sabotage involved. I have proved a temporary fix to stop the water from entering... you hit the nail on the head- I am wondering it the hole has a purpose such as a telltale for some other issue the boat may have.

 

[bluwateronly]

Could be, if the hull is cored could mean you need to haul out and let the boat dry out then open it up and get to good by grinding and then some fiberglass work and your done. Just make sure it's all dry with a mostiure meter first and get all the soft stuff out of there before you seal it up. This is a fiberglass boat right? If it's wood a woodie will have better advise.

 

[bedwards5003]

Yes, it is a fiberglass boat and it does have a core. I am not looking forward to a haul out as I had the boat hauled and the bottom done less than 2 years ago and the paint is still in good shape.

 

[bluwateronly]

Looking forward to a haul out I look forward to a haul out like a root canal, cost a alot of cash means work not sailing. But, have fun sounds like you got under control and best of luck.

 

[bedwards5003]

OK, not looking forward to the drain on the cash but it has me intriqued. I plugged the hole and the leak migrated to the bottom of the boat under the engine... probably thru the core. She has to be hauled as soon as possible.

 

[bluwateronly]

Yep, get her out of the water asap. Your really can not know the damage untill you have her out and dryed out. Are you sure the hull is cored in that area? Might be solid below water line. If it is cored you have your work cut, Still can't say to much with out seeing it. Take care and hope you can splash the boat soon and get some sailing in. Blu

 

[anderbra]

Sorry to hear about your problem. I've checked my boat for any sign of a hole in the general area you describe but found nothing; so I think you have a unique problem in your hands.

Once you have her on the dry, I wonder if you mind keeping us posted on any developments. The steps your take may help guide other users in the future.