aluminum boat leaking?

[Bigbartguy]

I think that my Spring used aluminum boat purchase may have a small leak. My bilge pump is running alot more than I think it probably should.

My boat has a floor so it's not real easy for me to tell if/where there are any leaks. Is there a good/easy way to find leaks without removing the floor? Is there anything I should be looking for?

thanks - it's my first boat so I'm a little dumb around this issue!

[Dave]

I'd suspect the drain plug first. Adjust it so it's a tight fit. If it's brittle, replace it.

[musky hunter]

Just went through the same problem. Coulnd't identify where the leak was coming from. Get the boat level on the trailer and get the garden hose. Fill it up to almost the level of the floor. If there is a leaky rivet, it will show. Mine has an astounding 15 loose rivets over one spar on an otherwise great looking newer boat. The only way to fix loose rivets is to start tearing things out and buck them back. But don't jump to conclusions. If it's only one or two, replace the leaker with a pop rivet and silicone the center.

[Surface Tension]

Another culprit could be a live well hose that had water in it last fall and froze and cracked in the winter. The though hull fitting is another place to look for leaks.

If you fill the boat with water up to the floor level be sure to have the trailer connected to your tow vehicle or brace the trailer in a few spots and chalk the tires. You'll be putting a lot of weight in the boat and theres no telling what will happen. Last thing you want is the boat to tip over backwards and break and skeg or prop.