First day out yesterday

[MAXXIE]

I was out on the lake for a shakedown run for about 3 hours yesterday. I just finished a deck replacement & new carpet last week. When I replaced the deck I did not want a ski locker (no real need), so the deck is a solid piece. I was by myself & the water was quite calm. I ran it mostly at slow speed, but did run it all the way up a few times. I kept hitting the bilge switch (manual), because for some reason I was worried about water under the deck, guess I need the ski locker after all. The first few times nothing pumped out, the bilge was working & I did look behind the portable fuel tank (where bilge is located, & no water. After some cruising around I hit it again & a quite a bit of water pumped out. Where could the water have come from? Gotta be a leak somewhere, right? After that water was out I checked it several more times & nothing. No water splashed into the boat & didn't have swimmers in & out all day. I looked the bottom of the boat over pretty good when I pulled it out & didn't see any problems, WTF?? Any idea's?

 

[jb33]

Re: First day out yesterday

maybe it had water in it before and when you planed out it traveled back and you pumped it all out??

I had water coming in the trailer eye bolt on a boat once, it only came in at slow speeds and you wouldnt notice it for a bit until it got toward the back.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: First day out yesterday

Ya, I'll need to really check the hull out real well this morning. I could understand if there was a crack or something like that. I'm planning on taking the boat for a cruze with the wife & 3 year old daughter later today & don't need any issues. If there is a crack, is there some type of epoxy that anyone would recommend for a "quick fix"? Thanks, MAXX

 

[etracer68]

Re: First day out yesterday

Maybe I missed something, but is this an IO or an outboard? If its an IO, you could be getting water in through the IO.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: First day out yesterday

Sorry, didn't mention it. It's an O/B. Was going to take it out yesterday & really focus on trying to find when & how it's happening, but the weather was really screwy, sunny, dark & raining, 5 min's later bright & sunny again then back to dark & raining again. Just left it in the driveway for the day. Maybe try it again today. I did do a full inspection of the exterior hull front to back & other than a few light scrapes there was nothing. The scrapes weren't enough to even really worry about, there's no way the water is caused by those. I'll figure it out sooner or later. I do think I'll cut an access hatch in the deck somewhere, I guess where the glass didn't lay up perfect. That will X-out a little poor craftsmanship on my part.

 

[emoney]

Re: First day out yesterday

The water could've been at the bow and just finally made it's way back to the bilge. If there is a leak, I've used MarineTex in the past and it works very well. Simple to use and holds like you poured concrete.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: First day out yesterday

Cool, thanks emoney I'll look for that stuff & put it anywhere I think may remotely be the cause.

 

[blifsey]

Re: First day out yesterday

Another possible area is around rubrail where top/deck and hull connect. When running hard water can spray up and get between the two.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: First day out yesterday

Ya, I'm trying to take everything into consideration, I'll have a better idea the next outing (Tuesdat morning). With any luck it won't happen again or at least be a regular thing.