Troubleshooting Boat Hull Damage: Identifying and Repairing Leaks

Question

 I have a malicious tenant who I beleive made a whole is one of my dock renters boats.  I am trying to find the whole.   It is a 16 ft thundercraft with an inbourd/outbourd motor.  The left back side of the boat is taking on water rather quickly.  It has been taken out of the water and filled tryind to find a whole.  No whole....I was looking for information on the interior make up, as I think it is a hose that was puncured.  Any info, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.  

Answer
Hi Sharon...Thank you for selecting the undersigned to reply to your question.

Listing to port may be the best clue to follow and explore for causes of ingress of water internally and externally. When the boat is hauled out, carefully check the underside of the hull for evidence of a puncture.

Also check the engine's intermediate housing and belows for puncutures, often caused by muskrats or the like.

Did you check all through-hull fittings such as the engine's freshwater intake, or the sumlog for a fish/depthfinder, etc.?

Is it possible rainwater may have entered the bilge through a freshair intake or exhaust vent, or possibly via a leak in the hull/deck joint? If your boat has a head or sink, check all hoses/lines, and if it has a deck hatch, check the seal for waterightness.

Safe Boating
Ron