Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

[awatson20]

I have a 1997 Four Winns 180 horizon bowrider. I have noticed that recently it appears to be taking in more water than usual. I notice that when I pulled the garboard plug out, a lot of water drained out. The last time out, I did have a lot of weight on the boat, more than usual. Before I pulled it out for the day, the float switch kicked in and the bilge started pumping out some water, but not much. This was the first time my bilge pump has ever kicked in. The only other thing is I had to replace the garboard plug and the brass housing it screws into. I did seal it, but am wondering if maybe it could be leaking. I used 100% silicone for a sealant. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

I guess a bow rider has the potential to take on more water than a cruiser or cuddy by mere virtue of its design. However, at least on my bowrider, the water taken in on deck is generally drained through scuppers rather than making it to the bilge.

As many suggest here, pull the boat out drain it, fill teh bilge with a hose and see where its leaking.

 

[Philster]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

Silicone = No. No way for a fitting like that.

I believe you need to use a polyurethane adhesive/seal (3M 5200, for example).

You need to re-do the repair.

 

[nlain]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

First if there has not been a lot of in and out of the boat for water to drip off people and you have not stuffed the bow in rough water and it is an I/O, I would say check the bellows, there are three of them in the outdrive, tilt it to trailer position and look at them, check for cracks and splits. It is possible that the leak is where you were just working but I think if you had the sealant in properly it should not be there.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

Boats and buckets share a trait. A good bucket should not leak water "out" of it. A boat should not allow water to leak "into" it. Except for the water that its occupants drag and drip into it and any that may splash into it, there should be no water in the bilge. If there is a seam where the top of the boat meets the hull (area around and under the rub rail) check that area as the bond in that area can loosen and leak.

 

[awatson20]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

I did have a lot of occupants getting in out of the boat dripping and splashing water. More so than usual. Also, the boat was near full capacity. Before I redo the brass drain fitting and reseal it with 3M 5200, I will fill the bilge with water to see if it is leaking out the plug. Do you think this will be a good enough test?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

I did have a lot of occupants getting in out of the boat dripping and splashing water. More so than usual. Also, the boat was near full capacity. Before I redo the brass drain fitting and reseal it with 3M 5200, I will fill the bilge with water to see if it is leaking out the plug. Do you think this will be a good enough test?

That will test your garboard flange repair...but if you didn't use something like 3M 5200, or 4200, than you are just marking time. When (not IF) it does start passing water, you will probably compromise your transom wood before you realize it.

Happy boating!

 

[Lrider]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

Before I redo the brass drain fitting and reseal it with 3M 5200, I will fill the bilge with water to see if it is leaking out the plug.

From everything I have read on Iboats, I would suggest you redo the fitting with the 3m.

Be sure to clean out the silicon completely, I plugged a 3/8 hole (on my center console) that was previously filled with silicon with 5200 hard set 7 day, after seven days I was able to push out a perfect casting of that hole. Needless to say I re-cleaned the hole with a rotatory spindle on my drill til I hit wood. Now the plug won't move.

 

[seaboo]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

By all means check EVERYTHING (repair, bellows, ect.), If you keep your boat outside it is barn near impossiable to gey ALL the water out of it before a launch (although that shouldn't count for all your water).

Just something that happened to me my power steering cooler didn't get winterized last winter and had a small pin hole in it (only leaked while running) couldn't really see it dripping but knew I was taking on a small amount of water while running. Had a hard time to locate it. Just while you are checking might pay to look there too.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

The only water that gets in should either be waves over the bow or off wet people climbing back aboard.
I am with the bucket theory.

 

[awatson20]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

Thanks for all the info guys, big help. I picked up a tube of 3M 5200 today and just finshed installing a new Garboard Drain. I am not 100% sure that this was the leak, but I will know shortly. The directions say that is takes 7 days for it to cure. I was planning on getting it back in the water in 5 days. See any issues with that? I live in the southeast and it is extremely humid. I figure it will cure before 7 days. Once again, thanks for all the great info and advice.

 

[dirtdiver]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

Whats the best way to replace that plug?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

Thanks for all the info guys, big help. I picked up a tube of 3M 5200 today and just finshed installing a new Garboard Drain. I am not 100% sure that this was the leak, but I will know shortly. The directions say that is takes 7 days for it to cure. I was planning on getting it back in the water in 5 days. See any issues with that? I live in the southeast and it is extremely humid. I figure it will cure before 7 days. Once again, thanks for all the great info and advice.

You will be fine. The 5 days is sufficient because the 3m stuff is a sealant and NOT the primary source of holding in the plug. Go boating and have fun

 

[Mark42]

Re: Normal to take in some water in Bowrider?

The 3M 5200 is a polysulfide sealant. It will cure even underwater. I'm sure it will have cured enough to use after 5 days.