Do i have a leak?

[davidonmars]

So i got a 87 chris craft omc cobra. Fresh water boat. Justs did new bellows as I just bought the boat. I took it out for its maiden voyage with some watter sitting in the bilge. Drain plug was left in for a few days prior to going out and boat was parked on a downhill while I was going the u-joints and bellows and we had a bit of rain in those days. After 7 hours out I pulled the boat out and opened up the drain plug and noticed about I'd say 1/4-1/2 gallon of water pouring out. Should I be worried. I stood on the drive to see if the transom flexed at all and it's solid!

 

[superbenk]

Re: Do i have a leak?

You said there was water in the bilge initially & then you said it rained. If the plug was in the whole time I think you have your source of the water.

I'd say drain it, run it & keep an eye on your bilge to see if you get more water. If you do & you're sure it's not from outside sources (ie, rain, wet people climbing into the boat, etc.), start looking for leaks.

 

[howlnmad]

Re: Do i have a leak?

To determine if you have a leak or not, you need to start out with a dry bilge. That most likely was just remaining rain water.

 

[davidonmars]

Re: Do i have a leak?

alright whats the best way to getting the bilge dry? I drove it for 100 km up and down hills with drain out and it still seemed to have a bit of water in the bilge

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Do i have a leak?

jack up the front of the trailer so that the stern plug is the lowest point. If the ramp isn't crowded, back down it with the plug out.

But what's the story with your bilge pump? I'd give that some attention, including the float switch.

Leave the plug out when it's on the trailer. Boats rot and mildew from standing fresh water in them.

A quart to half gallon in 7 hours of boating is not the end of the world, but it is a sign that something isn't right.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Do i have a leak?

get a shopvac and get all the water out. then go for a ride on the boat in the water.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Do i have a leak?

get a shopvac and get all the water out. then go for a ride on the boat in the water.

I haven't seen a shopvac made yet that removes all of the water from the hull of a boat, unless you are planning on removing the deck first. Residual moisture if trapped under the deck may take a little time to find it's way back to the bilge area.

Pick a dry day, pur her bow in the air with the plug out, periodically check it rhough the afternoon and see if you are getting any drainage. If you don't then take her out to the water and run it. Take time to check the bilge area, and also pay attention to the type of boating you were doing, where you breaking waves, where the kids having a water fight onboard or near the boat.

If you gather more water in the bilge than can be accounted for with those types of activities then you may want to check further, inspect the hull for scrapes and blemishes that you may have overlooked earlier.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Do i have a leak?

i was saying if you have access to the bilge area get a shop vac and get the water out so that theres none.