170 Rebuild questions

[sicilian slam]

Hey Everyone new to the site. Just bought a 1973 170. Had rain everyday this week. Went out 2 days ago noticed a lot of water in the hull. As I got on plane more water pushed to the rear from the front. once all water was bilged out it was fine. Any ideas how all this water is getting in from the top? Also I am going to rebuild the boat. Floor is solid as can be. was going to just redo everything up top with the transom as well. Since i am going this far should i redo the inside? Since the floor is solid should I pull the cap off? I have seen some people cut the floor out instead. Thanks for your suggestions.

[fitz73222]

I'll beat Scott (Gran398) to this one since is butt isn't out of bed yet! Pull the rigging trough cover. Thats the little dog leg shaped fiberglass panel on the port side floor that all of the control cables and engine harness runs through. Look for a crack or a hole in that subfloor underneath. Scott's "first" 22-2 AKA Miss Marco had a hole in it  back by the transom that filled the bilge full of water. You may have to remove a rod rack and small teak block by the transom and then take out the hold down screws and slide it over and up. Leave all the control cables hooked up to the engine and just slide the panel up enough to take a look.

[RickK]

Was the boat in the water for a while?  Could have a crack/gouge in the hull - I had one from the previous owner hitting something and then painting over it.  The trailer hid it from me too and I too was confused where the water was coming in.  A member here mentioned that I should look where the boat touches the trailer and sure enough, there it was, on the prow.
Also, you mentioned bilge - originally these boats did not have access to the bilge - they were watertight above the waterline (Thats why fitz mentioned the trough on the other port side of the boat   ) Maybe someone cut bilge access in the boat - if so, it could be leaking there.

[fitz73222]

Thank you Rick,

I really do know the the difference between port and starboard; I had port on the brain from last nights supper and adjusting the timing on the port 115! Happy 4th!

Fitz

[RickK]

I remember my canvas guy, when he was trying to explain something to me, would always start it out with "when you're sitting at the helm, that is the Starboard side" and then he would go off on whatever he was trying to explain.  He seemed to do this even when we were talking about a piece for the front or rear of the boat  
Doesn't work well when you have a center console boat  

Happy 4th