Butch,
I am sure the boat flying through the air would be very detrimental to the
structural integrity of the boat, but doesn't all that extra weight from the
water in the bilge but undue stress on the stringers and fiberglass?


"Butch Davis" wrote in message
.net...
A lot of water in the bilge is probably not an issue for the boat. Down
here in hurricane country we routinely flood the bilges of trailerable
boats to try to keep them on the trailer and the trailer on the ground when
the storm approaches. The bigger risk is to the trailer suspension and
tires. I use four jack stands about an inch below the trailer rails before
filling the boat. When the bilge is only slighty full the rails will have
settlrd onto the stands. That water is pretty heavy.

Butch
"Don White" wrote in message
...
Misifus wrote:
wrote:

One way of finding a hard to find leak (especially hard when
someone bottom coats the boat to hide it) is when the boat is
on the trailer fill it up with some water with the drain plug in.

Let it sit for awhile and look for the wet spots on the outside
hull. There's your leak!

Tom



Wow, what a neat idea! I'll try that, plus, it dawns on me that the
previous owner had re-rigged the aerator hose to use it with a separate
tank. I'm wondering if I need to put that back the way it was. Either
way, it all bears close inspection.

-Raf

I wouldn't get carried away with the volume of water you place in the
hull. The hull is designed for the water to support it on the
outside...not on the inside while on a trailer/cradle.

And all the problems with electrical, etc. How about just sinking some
anchors into the ground and strap the boat down. Works for airplanes.

"J. Smithers" JohnSmithers@hotmailcom wrote in message
...
Butch,
I am sure the boat flying through the air would be very detrimental to the
structural integrity of the boat, but doesn't all that extra weight from
the water in the bilge but undue stress on the stringers and fiberglass?


"Butch Davis" wrote in message
.net...
A lot of water in the bilge is probably not an issue for the boat. Down
here in hurricane country we routinely flood the bilges of trailerable
boats to try to keep them on the trailer and the trailer on the ground
when the storm approaches. The bigger risk is to the trailer suspension
and tires. I use four jack stands about an inch below the trailer rails
before filling the boat. When the bilge is only slighty full the rails
will have settlrd onto the stands. That water is pretty heavy.

Butch
"Don White" wrote in message
...
Misifus wrote:
wrote:

One way of finding a hard to find leak (especially hard when
someone bottom coats the boat to hide it) is when the boat is
on the trailer fill it up with some water with the drain plug in.

Let it sit for awhile and look for the wet spots on the outside
hull. There's your leak!

Tom



Wow, what a neat idea! I'll try that, plus, it dawns on me that the
previous owner had re-rigged the aerator hose to use it with a separate
tank. I'm wondering if I need to put that back the way it was. Either
way, it all bears close inspection.

-Raf

I wouldn't get carried away with the volume of water you place in the
hull. The hull is designed for the water to support it on the
outside...not on the inside while on a trailer/cradle.

J,

IMO, the water does no harm to the hull. After all, we're talking flooding
the bilges only. If the stringer/bulkhead system cannot bear the water load
inside seems to me it would be a risky boat to use on the water. For
various reasons we turn a pretty good speed from time to time and we do it
in pretty choppy conditions. Hitting a ships wake at about forty will
provide a thrill you may not want to enjoy a second time. Point is that the
hull is a pretty tough piece of gear... especially in the stringer/bulkhead
area below the WL.

As to Bill's question on electrical gear... mine shows no corrosion or
damage from the three times I've done this.

As to Bill's suggestion of anchors, I assume he is referring to something
like a mobile home tie down anchor?? In response, filling the bilge is,
IMO, much handier and far easier to undo after the storm. Trust me, when
preparing for a hurrican to hit a lot of things have to be done on short
notice. Getting food, drinking water and ice on hand to last the days of no
electricity following the storm. Filling the tubs with water to flush
toilets when the water supply fails, boarding up windows, moving vehicles,
RVs, and boats away from trees, ensuring plenty of batteries are on hand,
loading important documents into the car in case evacuation is ordered, and
getting enough cash on hand to live without ATM and banking service for
several days. And, of course putting an evacuation kit together just in
case.

Bottom line.... it's a huge chore and PITA which takes a lot of time.

Butch
"J. Smithers" JohnSmithers@hotmailcom wrote in message
...
Butch,
I am sure the boat flying through the air would be very detrimental to the
structural integrity of the boat, but doesn't all that extra weight from
the water in the bilge but undue stress on the stringers and fiberglass?


"Butch Davis" wrote in message
.net...
A lot of water in the bilge is probably not an issue for the boat. Down
here in hurricane country we routinely flood the bilges of trailerable
boats to try to keep them on the trailer and the trailer on the ground
when the storm approaches. The bigger risk is to the trailer suspension
and tires. I use four jack stands about an inch below the trailer rails
before filling the boat. When the bilge is only slighty full the rails
will have settlrd onto the stands. That water is pretty heavy.

Butch
"Don White" wrote in message
...
Misifus wrote:
wrote:

One way of finding a hard to find leak (especially hard when
someone bottom coats the boat to hide it) is when the boat is
on the trailer fill it up with some water with the drain plug in.

Let it sit for awhile and look for the wet spots on the outside
hull. There's your leak!

Tom



Wow, what a neat idea! I'll try that, plus, it dawns on me that the
previous owner had re-rigged the aerator hose to use it with a separate
tank. I'm wondering if I need to put that back the way it was. Either
way, it all bears close inspection.

-Raf

I wouldn't get carried away with the volume of water you place in the
hull. The hull is designed for the water to support it on the
outside...not on the inside while on a trailer/cradle.