Boat expert needed!!!?

If the owner said it never leaked in his driveway, and it doesn't leak in the driveway, then he was truthful with you, and you have no complaint against him. As you've learned by now, buying a used boat without a lake- or sea-test is a bad idea anyway.

Assume by "leak in the driveway" you mean you put water in it, and it didn't drain out. When the boat's floating, it puts pressure on the surface of the water, which can force it in through a tiny opening -- the water you put inside the boat isn't under pressure. Also, the seal around the rubrail deteriorates and wears out, and water gets in when you cut through waves while under way.

First, does the bilge pump work? If not, start another question about troubleshooting.

You said "it leaked", how much water over what period of time?

If you have an I/O, the bellows is a likely culprit.

There are a number of ways for water to get into a boat, just to be sure, have you accounted for the obvious: rain, spray from waves, splashing in when swimmers climb aboard, or past the rubrail as previously mentioned?

Water can get in around worn or warped drain plugs -- that's a cheap & easy fix.

Check your your livewell/baitwell/washdown pump intake fittings and plumbing (if equipped) for holes/splits, and the pumps themselves need to be watertight.

You might have to put the boat in the water and spend some time in close inspection.

Captain Bill and jtexas have given you some great advice already so I'm not going to get into any of it again... : )

You unfortunately wouldn't stand a chance in court on this one. As we were not in on any conversations held between you and the previous owner we don't know what was asked and replied to. As you bought a "used" boat the court probably would look at the case and either dismiss it immediately or find that it was purchased in "as is" condition unless the contract between the two of you had a warranty clause added (doubtful).

Are you really surprised that the boat doesn't leak in the driveway? Water needs to be "around" the boat for this to occur. I would think that if this were stated in a courtroom that the judge would make the statement that you are indeed a blonde and that the boat would have to be launched for a leak to occur....only kidding on the blonde statement for you mentioned it.

Unless you have a crack in the hull below the waterline you more than likely will find that the leak is happening on the transom. If the vessel is equipped with an I/O you could have a seal that has gone bad between the drive and the transom itself. This could be extremely detrimental to the vessel if the transom gets wet and starts to rot. You can tell if this is happening by lightly tapping on the transom with a plastic hammer and listening to the sound. Solid sections will sound just that...solid. Areas that have gone soft will return a completely different sound and you'll know right away that you have soft spots. The only remedy for this is to have the soft spots cut out and repaired or the entire transom replaced.

For anyone who reads these posts please let it be known that if you are buying a used vessel, no matter the size or age, you should have it gone over by a marine surveyor. Just because a vessel "looks good" and "runs good" doesn't mean that you won't have problems down the road.

In this case I bet you didn't take it for a test drive, did you? Would have been better to find the leak while in negotiations than after buying it and being stuck with getting the repairs made.

LOL = You may be blonde, and it is true that a boat will not leak in while in your driveway, but you still have a leaking boat while in the water.

You need to find where the leak is coming from, that would be your best course of action.

Check all thru-hulls - water inlets for cooling or wash down pumps. Make sure that the hull plug is in place, I hope you already checked that. After that you would need to find any holes or cracks in the hull. You could put some water in the hull and look for where it comes out.

You can take him to court but you would have a hard time getting anywhere, unless he gave you a written warranty or guarantee that the boat did not leak.

Good Luck - Boat Safe!

btw - if you did leave the hull plug out - you would be better off not to let us know, just keep it to yourself.

OK, where is the leak coming from?

Is this an inboard?

Is she leaking around the drive shaft. Then the packing box needs to be repacked.

She leaking from the exhaust manifolds? Repair or replace them.

Find the leak, figure out how to repair it, and then inform the previous owner. If he won't make it right then make the decision to pursue it in small claims. It is the American way.

Have fun on the water

You can't prove your neighbor deceived you. The boat won't leak unless you put it in the water. Quite true.