boat sinks

[imported_downrigger]

I Recently bought a new 2005 Targa 17 with a 115 hp 4 stroke. After tieing off the boat overnight while camping the next morning the boat was sinking. Water came through the drain holes in the transom and drained through the plastic bilge cover (which I think should be water tight). I talked to Tracker and they told me to install an automatic bilge pump! I'm afraid after all night I would have a dead battery. Tracker said this isn't their problem and the dealership gavre new plugs for the transom holes. Unfortunately now when water splashes over the transom the water is trapped and goes into the bottom of the boat. Is anybody having this problem.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: boat sinks

Get new plugs from selling dealer and also install the automatic bilge switch.
If the new plugs don't stop the water from coming in, then I would head back to my dealer, FAST.
There should be no water come in the drain plugs at all.
I have left mine in the water for a week straight and I will have none when I take the drain plug out and mine is almost 10 years old.

 

[imported_downrigger]

Re: boat sinks

Sorry, I guess I didn't make myself clear. The drain holes I'm talking about are the upper holes on either side of the motor that drain the upper compartment. Once the water gets in the upper compartment the water drains through the bilge inspection hatch and fill up the bottom of the boat. The lower main drain for the boat works fine. Any info on this?

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: boat sinks

N/P, so you are saying that the boat sits so low that water comes in the top 2 holes in the transom?
Why is it sitting this low?
Your hatch, it screws in?
I would think it was tight enough to stop enough water from getting in to sink it.

 

[imported_downrigger]

Re: boat sinks

The bilge cover doesn't leak where the cover screws in. The cover is angle cut like a gas fitting and seals very well. The problem is the housing leaks where the case is mounted to the deck, also unit is riveted so leaks through the center of the rivets. Tracker says this is not their problem. You would think a boat should be water tight wouldn't you? I dont know why the boat sits so low in the water. If I fill the rear live well and dont have plugs in the transon holes the water comes in about half way up over the bilge cover and starts leaking in to the bottom of the boat. I guess more weight forward is the answer. The boat is rated for the 115 hp merc motor so no one can tell me why this is going on. Thanks

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: boat sinks

Has to be heavy in the rear for some reason.
Just seems odd that it would take on water through them holes just sitting.

 

[MRS]

Re: boat sinks

Can you send a photo not sure what you are talking about if it was a problem with that type of boat I would think other people would have posted?

 

[rivercookdave]

Re: boat sinks

i'd definitly put the bilge pump in,do you know the weight of the motor,4 strokes tend to be heavier.clean the area where case is mounted and silicone seal it all.

 

[gss036]

Re: boat sinks

The weight of the 4 stroke motor is probably the trouble, it probably weighs twice as much as a 115hp 2 stroke engine.
Make engine do you have and how much does it weigh?

 

[woodchip]

Re: boat sinks

the weight difference on the motors isn't enough to cause the difference.115 4s= 399 lbs. 115 optimax=375 lbs. 24 lbs isn't that much.
i have a lund and the drain holes are 5 inches above the water line,and i find my boat sits low in the back.
I would be careful to check everything to see you don't have another problem that is also contributing to your problem

 

[rambilt]

Re: boat sinks

So what happened? Did Tracker give you any assistance at all? What about the dealership, are they providing all they can to assist you?

I'm asking these questions because I was looking at gettingthe Targa 18SC...

 

[j_martin]

Re: boat sinks

I haven't seen a bass boat rigged right in my life. They use bathtub caulk to seal bolts and screws, if anything at all. many holes are pierced into the foam floatation compartments, and repeated wetting from various sources compromises the foam, making it very heavy.

The motor splash well should not, under any conditions, leak it's contents into the bilge. It will occasionally take a splash, (thus the name) and when it comes back up the water should drain through the transom back to the lake.

If this is a new boat, I think you should get on to the dealer, legally if neccessary, and get things right.

hope it helps
John

 

[stevenw00]

Re: boat sinks

I'm curious... what happened w/ this???