how much water should you take on?

[Formula1974]

as I mentioned in another post we went out for the forth time on our new boat last night (86 bayliner) and was wondering how much water should come out of the drain hole when I pull it out when back on the trailer. We were on the river for maybe 2 hours and at least a gallon came out. Is this normal? How much do you have to take before the bilge turns on? Probably parinoid again. Thanks Chris.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: how much water should you take on?

A gallon is nothing to worry about. It's most likely coming in through the shift cable sleeve. On my boat it was mounted too low, and in rougher water or with a lot of weight in the back of the boat it would drop below the water line and let water in. Check to make sure you're not getting water where you don't expect it, though.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: how much water should you take on?

In my opinion any water coming in is unacceptable unless it is raining or you are navigating really rough water. If the boat is an I/O you'll want to check the bellows, shift sleeve, cooling system, all of that, and fix accordingly. If it is an outboard, check the lower mounting bolts, and remove/seal/replace if needed. Good luck...

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: how much water should you take on?

Also, at least on my 88 bayliner capri, the bilge pump will not get all of the water out, it will leave about 1-2" in the bilge. <br /><br />If it's an I/O, while you're out next time, pop off the engine cover and get another body or 2 near the transom. Look to see if there's water coming through the "hose" that the shift cable goes in. It's most likely the problem. <br /><br />Also, make sure your boat has a float switch on the pump. Mind didn't, it does now.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: how much water should you take on?

I'm with Jason on this one. It is an indicator of a potential issue, probably very minor, wouldn't prevent me from using or doing anything with the boat but from a maintainance perspective find out what it is...

 

[rogerwa]

Re: how much water should you take on?

I have an 87 Sea ray.. When I am out cruising in calm waters, my bilge is completely dry. The only time I get water is if I have spray coming over the bow or have stuffed a wave. If I find water I can't explain, I will not be very comfortable because I know an I/O boat will sink if the bellows spring a leak. If I consistently found water, I would be looking for the cause.<br /><br />If you are doing any kind of watersports where wet people are getting on or off the boat, this can also lead to water in the bilge. Probably not a gallon, but it could be part of it.<br /><br />Also, when you empty the bilge by pulling the plug, you can still have water trapped up front that may work its way back the next time out. Its important to raise the bow as high as possible to get all the water out.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: how much water should you take on?

No water sports yet water is still a little chilly. A little spray came in but couldnt have been that much. I noticed a little rust trail coming from the loops on the back of the transom where you tie it to the trailer on the inside of the transom. How can I get these to stop leaking? Can I just take them off and coat with silicone? Thanks again. Chris

 

[roscoe]

Re: how much water should you take on?

Mine would only leak when I had a heavy load in the boat. It was coming in thru a mounting hole for the swim platform.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: how much water should you take on?

I too agree that it should be tracked down, notice I said <br /><br />

Check to make sure you're not getting water where you don't expect it, though.

I know that on my bayliner, I had some water in the bilge and that's where I found it was coming from, the shift cable boot. <br /><br />If it was the bellows, I would think you'd be sunk in 2 hours, not have a gallon or so. Something to think about doing if you're bored one day is to put the plug in on dry land, and fill the bilge up to just below the bottom of the oil pan with the hose. Make sure if you have a pump float it's disconnected. Then grab a chair and sit and stare at the transom looking for drips. Just an idea...

 

[POINTER94]

Re: how much water should you take on?

The dog is good for 8-10oz's everytime is comes in and out.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: how much water should you take on?

by the way it is an 85 hp outboard.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: how much water should you take on?

Well that takes out the big gaps in the hull. You may want to look at any thru hulls like the bilge pump outlet. If you load up the boat is it still above the water line. Also look for attachment that go though the hull like stern eyes and bow eyes.<br /><br />If, as you said, you were getting brown water from the stern eyes dripping down the hull I would be worried that water is getting into the core of the transom and possibly causing serious rot.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: how much water should you take on?

Like said before it may be coming from places that didn't drain when it was sitting. Getting up on a plain puts the bow at a high angle letting the water drain back. Also your boat is 18 years old and old boats leak. Start the hunt and if it is fix it before it causes any problems. Then start looking for the next leek. With boats that old (or older like mine) you will have keep a eye out for them all the time.

 

[salty87]

Re: how much water should you take on?

there's also the rub rail and the bow eye to consider. does your plug leak?

 

[mike1234tampa]

Re: how much water should you take on?

I would also check the plug hole, the plug itself, motor bolts, anything below the water line. How long to get a gallon, if it were after 10 hours no big deal, but in 2 hours I would find ouy whats up, by boats is 32 years old, and I never in the 10 times out have got any water in it.

 

[cuzner]

Re: how much water should you take on?

Had the same same problem with 1990 capri.While tracking down the problem over a couple of outings I found 2 things,the the tubes that run down the keel line to drain water were partialy clogged with snot,quik fix was a hanger jammed through to clear the way. #2, the boot was shot(rubber seals through transom).Quik fix,a week in the shop and a 600$ bill( he did alot of other things while he had it apart).hope its nothing to seriuos,I found out the hard way.was overnighting on an island,woke up in the middle of the nite to find 4 inches of water on the cuddy floor. There is alot to be said about replacing a manual bilge pump with an automatic.<br /><br /> Hope its not that serious !<br /><br /> jim