Leak!

[Jim McFalls]

Hello fellow Snaggedliners,

I launched yesterday at Tucker Street, went out on Severn and headed north. I had some luck trolling but mostly, the topwater action was king. On my way back to the launch, I noticed my kayak (2010 Revo, purchased used this past summer) was a little sluggish and difficult to maneuver. I figured I had taken on a little water since I hit 2 fairly big wakes head-on, and took water over the bow. I keep my FF battery in the front and run the cables out through the hatch, thus nullifying a tight seal. I've taken a WEE bit of water this way in the past. When I got back to the launch, I de-rigged and when I tried to lift it, no go. There were about 2 gallons of water in the hull. I dumped it, brought it home and sponged/dried out the inside, and put it back on the water today on Weems Creek. Within 20 minutes, I had about an inch of water in the hull. Definitely a leak.

Soooo...
1) What's the best way to determine the location of the leak(s)?
2) What is the best way to repair said leak(s)?

I checked out some Youtube vids but I thought someone here might have a secret!

As always, thanks!
JM

[J.A. Veil]

I had that problem in 2012. I set the kayak up off the ground and filled it half way with water using a garden hose. I then crawled underneath and searched for a leak. I discovered a hairline crack around one of the scupper holes that would not have been easy to find otherwise. I smeared Goop around the crack to seal it.

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[clm]

Tape up and apply a blower of some sort...then spray with a soapy solution and look for bubbles...had the same issue with my used (rental) outback....look at the inside area of the peddle drive...side closest to you when seated...my crack was there...probably due to running aground with the fins down....good luck....I plastic welded the inside and then covered it with pl5200 I believe it was....no issues since

[Jim McFalls]

Thank you gents! I will have to wait until next Saturday to examine. The Goop path seems reasonable.

Thanks again.
Jim

[Yak Fish]

I'm going to bet the leak will be around the Mirage Drive well, specifically where the tip of the drive rubs against the hull. It's been reinforced over the years, but I'm not sure what year that took place. Others probably can chime in on that.

[Jim McFalls]

Thanks Alan! That'll be the first place I check.
Jim

[Redfish12]

Hmm 2010? I'd check the seat peg holes as they were prone to cracking, the rear scupper holes as that year was before the reinforced scuppers were developed, and check the area around the mirage drive well as stated already. I had a pinhole from what I think was a striped bass spine and it took FOREVER to find! Easy fix with some gflex. Good luck!

[Jim McFalls]

Hmm 2010? I'd check the seat peg holes as they were prone to cracking, the rear scupper holes as that year was before the reinforced scuppers were developed, and check the area around the mirage drive well as stated already. I had a pinhole from what I think was a striped bass spine and it took FOREVER to find! Easy fix with some gflex. Good luck!

Thanks Redfish! I shall investigate thoroughly.

J

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