I've got a 160W Lowe aluminum boat, configured as a bass boat. Due to the bass-boat arrangement, I cannot see the inside of the hull hardly at all. Decking and carpet covers 99% of the normally visible areas. The boat is ten years old and seems perfect for my use.
I can see into the bow anchor storage area.... and into the battery storage area at the stern. No holes or tears show up. By filling those areas up with water... I think I have eliminated them.
However, strangely, it still takes on a gallon or so of water every time that I have taken it out for a half day's fishing. I can empty most of the water using the installed bilge pump. On one occasion, when I went to a "no-wake lake. it didn't take on any water. So, the water intrusion happens when the boat is on plane.
At first, I had a problem with the speedo tubing. It had come off of the gauge behind the dash. It was pouring water into the cockpit when on plane. I found that and put it back on. No problem there, now.
I thought that, perhaps, the bait/live-well plumbing was causing the problem. I plugged both the inlet and the outlet of the baitwell/livewell but that didn't stop the water intrusion.
I brought the boat home, and while it was on the trailer, I put about five inches of water inside of the hull, with a hose. No water leaked or dripped out at all. Dry as a bone for at least ten minutes. I didn't go higher than five inches, as I didn't want to cover the batteries or other connections in the stern storage area. I can see the outside of the hull above the five inches height, and no holes nor punctures appear there.
My next possibility was the outlet of the bilge pump. It exits only a few inches above the water level when on plane. I thought that, perhaps, water is finding its way back up the exit hose. Next time out, I will, temporarily, plug that to see if it helps. However, it is hard for me to envision a full gallon, or more, coming back up the hose from splash-by.
Any other ideas or thoughts appreciated. thanks, Rich
I can see into the bow anchor storage area.... and into the battery storage area at the stern. No holes or tears show up. By filling those areas up with water... I think I have eliminated them.
However, strangely, it still takes on a gallon or so of water every time that I have taken it out for a half day's fishing. I can empty most of the water using the installed bilge pump. On one occasion, when I went to a "no-wake lake. it didn't take on any water. So, the water intrusion happens when the boat is on plane.
At first, I had a problem with the speedo tubing. It had come off of the gauge behind the dash. It was pouring water into the cockpit when on plane. I found that and put it back on. No problem there, now.
I thought that, perhaps, the bait/live-well plumbing was causing the problem. I plugged both the inlet and the outlet of the baitwell/livewell but that didn't stop the water intrusion.
I brought the boat home, and while it was on the trailer, I put about five inches of water inside of the hull, with a hose. No water leaked or dripped out at all. Dry as a bone for at least ten minutes. I didn't go higher than five inches, as I didn't want to cover the batteries or other connections in the stern storage area. I can see the outside of the hull above the five inches height, and no holes nor punctures appear there.
My next possibility was the outlet of the bilge pump. It exits only a few inches above the water level when on plane. I thought that, perhaps, water is finding its way back up the exit hose. Next time out, I will, temporarily, plug that to see if it helps. However, it is hard for me to envision a full gallon, or more, coming back up the hose from splash-by.
Any other ideas or thoughts appreciated. thanks, Rich
