Checking for leaky rivets, a bit of advice.

[T Man]

When checking for leaky rivets, leave the water in the boat for a while. I had 1 rivet that was leaking, and I had put water in the boat several times. I finally filled my boat up and left it for a few hours. When I came out it had leaked just enough to have a drop hanging off the rivet. The hydraulic pressure is completely different when the boat is full of water than when it is in the water, so let it sit for a while to make sure you get all of the rivets.

 

[namco]

Good tip I have done the same but added Fluoro Green Dye I got from the tackle shop makes it eraser to find the drops

 

[P-Dogg]

Adding some dishwashing detergent will lower the surface tension, letting the water seep out faster than it would otherwise...

 

[T Man]

P-Dogg » Today, 20:55[/url]"]Adding some dishwashing detergent will lower the surface tension, letting the water seep out faster than it would otherwise...

Unless my science is completely wrong, adding the detergent increases the surface tension. It is the increased surface tension of soap that makes bubbles possible.

 

[rscottp]

T Man » 04 Mar 2014, 00:04[/url]"]

P-Dogg » Today, 20:55[/url]"]Adding some dishwashing detergent will lower the surface tension, letting the water seep out faster than it would otherwise...

Unless my science is completely wrong, adding the detergent increases the surface tension. It is the increased surface tension of soap that makes bubbles possible.

I think you are incorrect about that. I have practical experience, whenever I pick tics off my dog I put them in a jar of water. If I put a bit of soap in the water they sink(decreased surface tension), if no soap tics float.

 

[Captain Ahab]

I think you are both correct! A soap will change the surface tension - but it is that same surface tension that makes bubbles round!

Soaps and detergents: These help the cleaning of clothes by lowering the surface tension of the water so that it more readily soaks into pores and soiled areas. (So they would help water soak out of your boat!)

Why bubbles are round: The surface tension of water provides the necessary wall tension for the formation of bubbles with water. The tendency to minimize that wall tension pulls the bubbles into spherical shapes.


https://water.usgs.gov/edu/surface-tension.html

 

[BigTerp]

Another tip is to fill your boat with water that is somewhat close in temperature to your boat. I tested mine once in the middle of summer and the cold hose water made the aluminum of my hull sweat. Made it impossible to find what, if anything, was leaking.