Integrated swim platform leaking?

[badrano]

My 256 SSi has an integrated swim platform. Are they notorious for leaking water in to the bilge/engine compartment?

This was the first time using the particular ramp today with my 256 SSi. The ramp is a little steeper than others I've used. When I pulled the boat out of the water, the bilge pump was pumping out and the drain hole for the wet storage compartment in the platform was also draining. This tells me that the swim platform must have been submerged once the boat was on the trailer. My only other guess is the swim platform leaking in to the bilge. The bilge pump was not running when I docked to get the trailer.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I don't understand... why would the swim platform be under water when the boat is on the trailer? Wouldn't the back end of the boat just float if the ramp was that steep?

 

[PC on the Bayou]

I've had, on numerous occasions, the bilge pump float engaging once the boat was trailered and being towed up the ramp. I attribute this to any water that was anywhere in the hull now running to the back of the boat by the bilge pump since the boat is in a nose-up orientation.

 

[badrano]

I don't understand... why would the swim platform be under water when the boat is on the trailer? Wouldn't the back end of the boat just float if the ramp was that steep?

My previous boat with the extended swim deck would get partially submerged at the steeper ramps. Maybe once the bow nestles in to the roller on the winch arm, the aft end can't float up as easily.
In this case, how did the water get in to the bilge.

 

[JASinIL2006]

My previous boat with the extended swim deck would get partially submerged at the steeper ramps. Maybe once the bow nestles in to the roller on the winch arm, the aft end can't float up as easily.
In this case, how did the water get in to the bilge.

On my boat, on steeper ramps, the stern just floats until the trailer and boat get pulled up the ramp. I suppose if the bow was cinched tight to the bowstop, that might interfere some with stern floating.

I'd be looking at the any thru-hull fittings at the back end of the boat, especially those fittings higher up on the transom that maybe wouldn't see water if not for the steep ramp.

 

[tpenfield]

Check for any holes on the underside of the integrated platform or inside of any ladder hatch that may be part of the platform.

Ideally, you should be able to get the back end of the boat submerged over the top side of the platform and still not have any issues.

 

[badrano]

On my boat, on steeper ramps, the stern just floats until the trailer and boat get pulled up the ramp. I suppose if the bow was cinched tight to the bowstop, that might interfere some with stern floating.

I'd be looking at the any thru-hull fittings at the back end of the boat, especially those fittings higher up on the transom that maybe wouldn't see water if not for the steep ramp.

I installed the sonar transducer right after de-winterizing, but haven't had any issues with the last few outings.
The fact that the wet storage bin in the swim deck was full and was also draining out, I think shows enough of the platform was underwater. What just dawned on me is that I had to give the boat a shot of power to get the bow plate properly against the bow stop....that's probably what drove the deck underwater....still puzzled on that amount of water in the bilge.

 

[badrano]

Check for any holes on the underside of the integrated platform or inside of any ladder hatch that may be part of the platform.

Ideally, you should be able to get the back end of the boat submerged over the top side of the platform and still not have any issues.

I believe the integrated platform is really two pieces sandwiched together with sealant in the middle...that's what it seems to look like when looking in from the engine bay. Maybe the sealant is starting to fail.

 

[briangcc]

Bet you tipped the drive a bit before goosing it to get it back on the trailer right? How are your bellows??

 

[badrano]

Bet you tipped the drive a bit before goosing it to get it back on the trailer right? How are your bellows??

You must be telepathic
It wasn't tipped up that much, but checking the bellows came to mind just as I started to check for any updates to the post.

 

[tpenfield]

I believe the integrated platform is really two pieces sandwiched together with sealant in the middle...that's what it seems to look like when looking in from the engine bay. Maybe the sealant is starting to fail.

Makes sense . . . it is where the 'top half' and the 'bottom half' of the boat join together. Usually, there is a continuous bead of adhesive sealant to keep water out. So, probably worth a look. Often the seam is hidden by the rubrail, so you might have to pull that loose to gain access to the seam.

 

[Grub54891]

^^this. I've seen that before.

 

[badrano]

Makes sense . . . it is where the 'top half' and the 'bottom half' of the boat join together. Usually, there is a continuous bead of adhesive sealant to keep water out. So, probably worth a look. Often the seam is hidden by the rubrail, so you might have to pull that loose to gain access to the seam.

So it happened again...this time I was the only one at the ramp so I was able to take to the time to figure it out.

Nice water fall (not a trickle) in this area (stbd side).
The last two times I went out, nothing happened, the difference this time. I had the trailer further in to the water where the seam up to the top lip of the platform was under water. Dunked the boat in again but not as far...water was below the seam....no water fall.

Looking at the area on the outside, and there is a decent sized gap going on there. So I'm assuming that's the culprit.

 

[Grub54891]

Ah yes, I've seen this before. A couple boated from across the big lake, spent the night in the Apostle islands. Upon waking up in the morning they found the bilge pretty full of water. They had two children onboard, under 10 years old. When I looked at the issue of how the water had come in, the owner hooked up the bilge pump with a wire he would twist together as needed.
No auto switch..... Reguardless, the leak was exactly like yours.
The waves overnight filled the bilge fairly deep. Got it pumped out and sealed the rubrail, gave him my phone number and said to call when he makes it home. He did call and all was ok. Note: I did hook up an auto bilge switch before I let him leave.