How to figure out where water is getting in...

[Alwhite00]

Just got back from 4 days in the water & pulled the plug and about 2 gallons of water came out. It always has some water when I get home but 1 to 2 gallons is normal. I pulled the engine hatch and crawled in there with a crappy flashlight and nothing obvious stuck out.

How can I go about narrowing down the culprit? Bellows & shift cable boot are 3 years old and look like brand new. 97 250 Sundancer- 5.7 EFI / BIII

Just irritates me, Would like to get it fixed.

Any suggestions welcome.

LK

 

[Don S]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

We can't find your leaks, you have to do that. Get in there and start looking and listening for water coming in. Mirrors, flashlights, and digital cameras all help find them.

There are a lot more places for leaks besides the transom shield of an outdrive.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

We can't find your leaks, you have to do that. Get in there and start looking and listening for water coming in. Mirrors, flashlights, and digital cameras all help find them.

There are a lot more places for leaks besides the transom shield of an outdrive.

Umm....Thanks, i think.

LK

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

What Don S posted is very true. Is the family doing alot of swimming and tubing? alot of water comes in the boat on swimsuits and such.
Caseville is a nice area. Just back from there Today.

 

[Yachtsman1304]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

I had the same issue with my last boat. It ended up being my shift bellows. But, as Don said, the water could be from any or many places.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

Duckdown - Did you happen to see the fireworks on the 5th?

I realize water can come from numerous places, That's why the title of the thread is asking how to figure it out - I am going to get a better light under there next time it's out & see if that helpw.

LK

 

[MarkSee]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

Last year when having the brakes completely overhauled on my trailer at the boat shop, I mentioned about having water intrusion similar to what you are experiencing as I could not see any obvious leaks either.

Using his forklift he raised the front up as high as he could then using a hose introduced water into the bilge.
He found water coming out from the garboard itself and some from the bottom of the gimbal housing.
Tackling the lowest cost item first, he completely removed the garboard, cleaned it all up, put fresh sealant all underneath/around it and re-installed with new screws.

This alone cut down on most of the water that was entering.

Mark

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

I forgot to mention I just re-bedded the garboard with 4200 two weeks ago as I noticed it would move a little when tightened.

LK

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

I'm wondering why your bilge pump let that much accumulate.

No float switch? Get one. It serves as a sort of alarm that you are filling up with water (and they make alarms). If your switch has a red light when it's on manual, the red light may come on when it's tripped by the float switch, too (mine is).

One method of leak detection is to put down paper towels or baby powder on a bone dry bilge then keep an eye on where it gets wet first.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

Yea, I'm dealing with a similar issue. . . Always seems to accumulate an inch or two of water. . . Not enough to activate the bilge pump, but I'd like to find it.

the leak could be a number of things with a larger boat/cruiser. Engine, transom, fresh water system, drainage issues, etc. if you can, perhaps try a process of elimination. Can you leave your boat in the water overnight to see if it accumulates any water without being used? If you have a fresh water system, try an outing or two without activating it.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: How to figure out where water is getting in...

Thanks for the tips - Yea Not enough to activate the bilge pump - Any water on the deck drains overboard and there is almost zero that gets on the deck.

LK