Help for new boaters

[rossma]

My husband and I just purchased a 2000 Tracker Targa 18WT. We've had it out on our NY Finger Lakes 3 times and have really enjoyed it. After retrieving the boat, each time there has been a large amount (gallons) of water draining when the plug was removed. Is this normal? It did not rain nor were the waters especially rough. I also was wondering what the two plastic holes on either side of the hull are for. Drainage for the bilge? To take in water for ballast? The owner's manual is extremely unhelpful. My husband seems to think that all this draining water is normal. I am skeptical because we had a 17ft jon boat before this and it hardly drained a drop. I am handicapped and he has 3 inoperable ruptured disks in his back, so we want to be safe. Any help or opinions would sure be appreciated!

 

[sltintexas]

Re: Help for new boaters

I would say "gallons" is unusual.

Were you getting in and out of the boat dripping wet? Its amazing how much water can build up with that.

the drains in the side are usually overflow drains from livewells or drains from a anchor locker/built in coolers etc.

one source of leaks (if you have one) could be the livewells. My old bass boat used to slosh around a lot and get water in the bilge from that. Others have reported that the filler lines or pumps develop leaks which can end up in the bilge.

I'm sure some others willl chime in with some other suggestions.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Help for new boaters

Welcome to iboats.


The holes are likely drain holes for the livewell(s), assuming you have them.



THe problem often lies in the drain pipes from the livewell to the transom.
If the pipe or fitting cracks, the water just comes in and fills the bilge, eventually it could fill the boat and sink it.

If I had more than a gallon of water spill out when I pulled the plug, I would be very concerned.

If this boat has an outboard motor, I would try putting a drain plug in each of the holes before your next outing, and see if it helps.

If it is an i/o, I would have a mechanic check the engine and bellows for leaks BEFORE my next outing, as it may be your last!


Let us know if you have more questions, and keep us updated on your situation.

 

[starcraft1982]

Re: Help for new boaters

Look boat over outside for obvious leaks(cracked welds or loose rivets,depending on the construction).then i would replace the drain plug or at least rule it out as being faulty.Then you will have to enter the inside possible causes.Livewell plumbing can be a culprit.Youll need to fill livewells and empty them looking for signs underneath along the way(inside by fittings,valves,hoses,etc.).Is there a cooler on it?they drain into bilge.Also while running,is there any splash back from motor or transducer or anything coming up over the back?If all checks ok,then youll have to find someone else on here with more ideas cause i have no more. As a side note,if you get to the filling/draining livewells,do it fairly close to ramp.Best of luck.It could be a crapshoot,but id say itll easily be found.

 

[eyes4u]

Re: Help for new boaters

There are a few reasons for this. First of all... the last time I had an issue like this....I actually captured the water when I pulled the plug.....it seemed like it ran out steady for an eternity. It turned out to be just over 5 gallons. Really pretty in significant in the big scheme. However, there are some things that you can check. Some boats, especially fishing boats have livewells that will automatically, just based on where the pick-ups (plastic holes in the hull that let water in) are located. The livewells fill on the interior until they reach the same water level as the outside. This all good until there becomes even a pin hole in the piping that connects the "through the hull fitting" and the livewell. Certainly you can see how if the water leaves that "conduit" from the lake into the livewell, it will end up in the hull. This could easily be the case if you have a livewell with hoses to and from a pump, as well. If the hose is leaking, and the water doesn't make it wholly into the livewell, it will also end up in the hull. The reason that I suggest this first......we have a tracker fishing boat and we have had both of these issues with it. I believe that it is a classic case of the manufacturer skimping on the stuff (flexible tubing) that you don't see.

Obviously, it wouldn't hurt to have a good look at it while it is no the trailer to check for the obvious, as well. Good luck!

 

[rossma]

Update on leaking Tacker Targa

Update on leaking Tacker Targa

We took the boat out again and measured the water that came out of the drain afterwards: 7 gallons. With the boat in the yard we put in the plug and filled the hull with the hose until the auto bilge pump came on, then looked everything over. No leaks in the hull. We then realized that no water was coming out the thru-hull for the bilge pump. Disconnected the hose and backwashed it. Turns out that it was plugged with debris - it runs great now! We then drained everything and first filled and drained the rear then the front livewells, all the while observing for any water in the bilge area, as far as we could see. Nothing. Found out that thru-hulls in the front part of the hull are overflows for the front livewell. I guess the next steps would be to systematically plug the intake hole for each livewell and take the boat out to see if it makes a difference. Also I don't know but I would imagine that there could be a crack in the front livewell overflow hoses, too. The thru-hulls sit above the waterline, but not that far, and do get splashed with waves, wakes etc. Do you think we are on the right track? You guys are just wonderful, and your advice was so helpful - more than you will ever know. I'm real grateful to all of you.
~Rossma

 

[VonZipper]

Re: Help for new boaters

You may also want to take a look at your bow eye/hook. Grab hold of it and wiggle.... is it loose at all? Sometimes it can be just loose enough to allow water to come thru the bolt holes at low speed, when the water is splashing up over it. Usually they are sealed at the factory with silicone or similar, and over the years can become a source of water intrusion. A quick tighten or re-sealing around it will work wonders!

 

[seabob4]

Re: Help for new boaters

It's great that your bilge pump can now pump out the water...but you still have to find out where it's coming from. You should have no water in the bilge save what is shipped over the sides in rough water...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help for new boaters

It is TOO MUCH water!!

You probably need to investigate your live well plumbing as priority #1.

With it being a 10 year old boat someone may have messes with the plumbing and there is a leak.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Help for new boaters

It is TOO MUCH water!!

You probably need to investigate your live well plumbing as priority #1.

With it being a 10 year old boat someone may have messes with the plumbing and there is a leak.

I agree with Ol BVT..lol
May want to..
Find a smaller diameter plastic hose and insert it into the water pick up thru hull fitting and the other end in a large trash can or tub..turn on your livewell and look for the water leaks..

Good luck

 

[rossma]

Leaking tracker update again.

Leaking tracker update again.

Well, On 8/11 we plugged the intakes and outlets for both livewells and took the boat out again as this would tell us if the problem was with one of those. We took the boat out onto the lake and had not been out for 10 minutes when the bilge came on. It came on 4 more times while we were out. This meant that the problem was not the livewell hoses after all.

On 8/14, he decided to try to fill the hull with hose again and this time to have the front of the boat facing downhill, to add some extra pressure. At this time we noted 3 cracks in the hull, in the mid-left side of the boat. Obviously, this is the source of the leak!

We are very sad to think that we just bought a leaking boat. We are very inexperienced and obviously were taken advantage of.

I really appreciate all of your help. If it hadn't been for you guys I don't think we would have known how to find this, and who knows what might have happened.

 

[oops!]

Re: Help for new boaters

glad you found the leak.

ok...lets move on....

it is very rare for the fiberglass to crack like that to the point that there is major water intrusion. that is a TON of water getting in. this damage was more than likely caused by an impact or many many beachings on rocks

iboats can help you much further.

take pictures of the damaged area....and post them in the restoration section.
we can help you fix your boat cheap and properly.

cheers
oops

 

[starcraft1982]

Re: Help for new boaters

hey oops,Targas are aluminum boats.Still,something had to be impacted.OP,can you put a pic. or two of the damage on here?