How to leak test the inspection port?

minifish

New Member
I've got a small leak I'm chasing. The cat bag in the inspection port at the stern gets damp and that's the only way I know there's a leak. I've got a port near the bow and near the stern. I suspected the rudder mount and did a leak test as per instructions and it passes. But it doesn't test the inspection port.
These are new ports so the o-ring shouldn't be worn. Still, I inspected it for any tears or damage and it looks fine. I inspected the sealant around the border and around the screws and it looks sealed.
Has anyone had trouble with the cat bag and port not sealing? I bought the port and bag from the same company.
Maybe I'll just pour water over just it with a hose to test it and make sure it's the port that's leaking in order to cover all basis. But how to test what on the port is leaking has me scratching my head. :confused:
 
I've got a small leak I'm chasing. I've got a port near the bow and near the stern. I suspected the rudder mount and did a leak test as per instructions and it passes. But it doesn't test the inspection port.
I'm confused. You swabbed soap solution over the rudder mount, but forgot to swab it over the rest of the possible leak sources around the boat ??

What size is the port... could it be bent over the crown of the deck. Over the years it's been discovered using too big a port can have leak issues because warping the port to fit the deck crown distorts the seal. That's why 5" is the recommended diameter port, 6" is pushing the envelope, especially with late '80s and newer boats. 8" ports are almost guaranteed to leak in most locations.
 
I'm confused. You swabbed soap solution over the rudder mount, but forgot to swab it over the rest of the possible leak sources around the boat ??

What size is the port... could it be bent over the crown of the deck. Over the years it's been discovered using too big a port can have leak issues because warping the port to fit the deck crown distorts the seal. That's why 5" is the recommended diameter port, 6" is pushing the envelope, especially with late '80s and newer boats. 8" ports are almost guaranteed to leak in most locations.


No, I washed down the entire boat since I had bothered to do the test in the first place. Why wouldn't I?
The rudder mount was just a place I wouldn't have been surprised if it was leaking, but it isn't...which actually surprised me. Since the entire hull passed, the port is the only thing left and since the test requires taping over it, I can't check the seal on it. So I'm asking for suggestions on how to test that.
The port is a 5".
When I installed it, I didn't want to bend the port to fit because I was concerned with cracking or sealing. Mine is the threaded kind so I didn't want to distort the shape. I just used sealant to bridge the gap.
And before it's asked, yes, I put sealant around the screws. :p

I even have a picture of the beautiful installation. :D
 

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the port is the only thing left and since the test requires taping over it, I can't check the seal on it. So I'm asking for suggestions on how to test that.
I'm going to speculate you are performing the leak test by taping over the port opening and stabbing through that tape seal with your air supply because your boat either doesn't have a vent or the vent is covered by the AMF label.

No vent :confused:, you could remove a screw from ... the ruder gudgeon plate. Cover that hole with tape for stabbing with an inflator needle and screw on the port cover so it can be tested.
 

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I'm going to speculate you are performing the leak test by taping over the port opening and stabbing through that tape seal with your air supply because your boat either doesn't have a vent or the vent is covered by the AMF label.

No vent :confused:, you could remove a screw from ... the ruder gudgeon plate. Cover that hole with tape for stabbing with an inflator needle and screw on the port cover so it can be tested.



Craps I always forget about that hole.

I think I have a bicycle pump...
 

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