My Boat is Bleeding or I P.O. the gods off!

AKBASSKING

AKBASSKING

Active Member
Apr 13, 2008
4,649
SE Alaska Summer/Columbia River winter
Boat Info
1988 Yacht Fisher
Engines
Twin 375hp Cat 3208 T/A
While I was working on the tub today I looked around and looked at the port walk way and found a river of dark oily substance.

OMG my steering is leaking bad and dripping down. I tore apart the panel and looked insde and dry. I also noticed the steering tubes ran down the stbd side, so I took that panel off and dry. Looked forward under the dash and dry. WTF!

I then too a flash light and saw where it was coming from. I looked directly above the spot thinking water had dripped down from a bolt. Nope dry.

So what do you think it is? Resin? Boat blood?:smt009
 

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I get that same stuff dripping from under the starboard gunnel onto the floor. I cant figure it out. It did almost go away when I got new canvas that didn't leak so I'm figuring it is a rain water leak mixing with something but never figured out what or where.
 
Water getting into a wood core and leaking out? Is the stuff sicky, or oily? Does it have an odor? Could a large bird have left you a present? Are you under trees? Sorry for the silly questions, just trying to narrow down the possibilities.
 
It felt oily but I didn't smell it. The area with the splatter was dry so I don't think water was an issue. Could have been a critter I guess. I just have never seen anything like this before.
 
AKBASSKING said:
It felt oily but I didn't smell it. The area with the splatter was dry so I don't think water was an issue. Could have been a critter I guess. I just have never seen anything like this before.
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not sure of how your steering lines are run.

i had friend with a tolly craft fly bridge similar to yours.


the lines were copper tube and had developed small cracks where going through bulk heads ect..

would leave oil runs similar to what you have. he changed all the lines out with aro-quip hose and problem went away. the copper lines were to difficult to remove and were blown out with air to purge and left in place.

i know you said you checked yours. just throwing that out there

cheers garry
 
I have something very similar running down from the grab bar on my transom... Looks identical. I am really worried it has something to do with resin.
 
sfergson727 said:
Wait a sec...you're up in north country right???

I don't know why I didn't make the connection. Obviously Sasquatch was marking his territory.....either that or Rachael MadCow.
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The weather is getting to you isn't it, Scott????

Bassking

I get something similar where my arch meets the bridge.
If I go around and recaulk the mating surface and around the windshield and all of the screws it seems to go away for most of the season.
It almost looks like the tannins released when water sits on plywood or any other wood surface.

Dan
 
garryowen said:
not sure of how your steering lines are run.

i had friend with a tolly craft fly bridge similar to yours.


the lines were copper tube and had developed small cracks where going through bulk heads ect..

would leave oil runs similar to what you have. he changed all the lines out with aro-quip hose and problem went away. the copper lines were to difficult to remove and were blown out with air to purge and left in place.

i know you said you checked yours. just throwing that out there

cheers garry
Click to expand...

Thank garry. My lines areplastic and run down the other side, but I did verify that none of the lines were leaking.
 
I'm thinking wet coring is dripping out. Look for leaks above the dripping outlet. Cab you access the outboard bridge panels anywhere to get a look. at the Bridge & decking up there.

Coring materials vary by year and yard. Some coring is resin impregnated cardboard, or balsa depending. When either gets soaled, they rot out leaving just the resin. The decomposition material is a brown water thickening to a syrup like material.

Either case, you have a leak and it calls for some attention.
 
I agree - the first thought I had was wet coring. I've seen it before and it looks just like that. Typically, it has a "woody" type smell, although a little on the artificial side. Can we assume it rained recently? Although I guess that's a pretty safe guess as you're in the PNW, right now, right? Heck, it's raining here in PA like crazy, too. If April showers bring May flowers... what do May showers bring???
 
My vote's for wet coring...need to trace it backwards to see what its from.
 
Yep PNW and it has been raing since September. But I looked inside and it was bone dry! I am going to give her a bath this weekend and will keep an eye on this area as I apply water. Thanks for the help, but I hope you guys are wrong (knowing my luck you are right)..
 
bit*hy boaters!
 
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