CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: where could the source of water dripping from the hull at the ring seal of the ski locker drain in a 1991 16 SL, this is only seen after the boat is hauled out of the water?

BACKSTORY: In 2024 I purchased a 1991 16SL. with a Mercury 90-HP engine. Every time I come back from a running the boat, I see a small drip that comes down from the bottom of the hull at the ring seal from the ski locker drain. I don’t know where the water is coming in. I have sealed everything.

I considered that maybe [the interior of the hull has retained water], but the hull does not sit low in the water and it handles well. Note that the 1991 16SL has no drain plug and has a strange drainage system.

Q2: how long does the dripping of water from the hull bottom last after you haul out the boat?

Try tasting (or alternatively smelling) the water that is dripping. If the water is coming from a source located in the foamed-in space between the hull and and the liner, the water will typically have some odor and very bad taste.

Q3: are you using the boat in freshwater or saltwater?

That distinction could also give you some idea of the source of the water.

Q4: give the hull a thorough washdown, including the cockpit. Then check to see of the water drip occurs.

Try filling a cockpit sump compartment with tinted water (or use a winterizing liquid). Then see if the color of the dripping water matches the color of the tinted water.

Also--perhaps the best idea--when you haul-out the boat, carefully remove ALL water from the cockpit sump areas until the cockpit interior is completely towel dry. This will eliminate any water that was in the cockpit as the source of the water dripping from the hull bottom. If you still get water dripping of the hull bottom, it more or less MUST have come from the interior of the hull and liner space.

Thank you for the response. Here are my answers:

jimh wrote:Q2: how long does the dripping of water from the hull bottom last after you haul out the boat?

It will last about one to two months, and it continues to slow down as time progresses.

jimh wrote:Try tasting (or alternatively smelling) the water that is dripping. If the water is coming from a source located in the foamed-in space between the hull and and the liner, the water will typically have some odor and very bad taste.

The water is light yellowish and it does have an odor. I have tasted to see if it is fresh or salt water and seems to be fresh water.

jimh wrote:Q3: are you using the boat in freshwater or saltwater?

I use the boat in saltwater only. I live in South Florida. However, the previous owner had the boat in Ohio in fresh water only.

I don't winterize since I am in South Florida, however, I may tint the water when I [wash] the boat to see if the water is coming through when I wash the boat after being out in the water.