Wgamble Posted July 10, 2017 Report Share Posted July 10, 2017 I noticed my Hewes 18 was getting water in bilge when running livewell and after a series of test I figured out the livewell overflow was hitting the access hatch in the splashwell and leaking into boat. No matter how tight it was it was still getting in there. Any ideas on where to get new seal or another way to stop it from coming in? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted July 10, 2017 Report Share Posted July 10, 2017 Can you post some pics of the overflow and hatch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VsteveV Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 I've been dealing with the phantom water in the bilge myself. I had a new rear hatch installed and still have the same issue. I've been super busy but I'm going to do some testing this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wgamble Posted July 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 This is not my boat but same setup. VsteveV, I placed a bowl under the hatch and closed it and ran a hose in livewell for about 5 minutes and it filled the bowl up completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 Now you have to figure out if the water is leaking under the hatch ring or the removable lid. The ring is easy to remove, reseal, and reinstall. If it's leaking past the threads, then you've got two choices. Replace both with new set OR (depending on how often you go into the bilge access) smear a very tiny bit of clear silicone sealantonthe threads. That usually will keep out a minor drip. You do not want to apply so much that you cannot reopen the hatch easily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wgamble Posted July 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 That makes sense and it makes me think it is the ring since no matter how tight I screw it, it still leaks. I will give that a try. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 I think you'll be surprised how much the threads allow water past them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 Put Vaseline on the threads and top flange of the part mounted to the deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Why not put plumbing white thread tape on it. No mess and should do the trick. Do 3 full turns around the hatch threads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wgamble Posted July 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 I actually used some silicone around the bottom with the Teflon tape on the threads and it worked like a champ. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Isn't there a oring on that hatch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Grissom Posted July 13, 2017 Report Share Posted July 13, 2017 If the base of the flange is sealed or reseated as stated above, the O rings my have dry up with time , and the contact surfaces wear slightly . In a pinch if there is an O ring roll it away from it's location carefully . Just enough to apply a very thin bead of sealant inside the recess ,where the O ring sat .Wait a few mins and roll the O ring back in place ,slightly embedding it in the sealant ,don't press it in ,then lit it dry . Coat lid seal area and base with the Vaseline this will help to seal as well as preventing tighting from pulling O ring from the sealant . Only temporary fix. Read that some of the guys have removed the small acess cover and installed a large rectangle hatch with removable lid that has a seal . That's my next new project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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