Safe to drill hole in ski compartment on 1999 starcraft bowrider?

[toolman4]

I have a 1999 starcraft 1810 lx that gets water coming up into the ski compartment. There is a hole at the back the feels like it goes back but not down. I tried a wire but no luck. Does anybody know if I can just drill a hole straight down to drain the water. It is getting in there but doesn't want to come out (all through the same hole from what I can tell). The bilge does not have water sitting by it but I have to manually turn it on and off when on the water. Just got the boat so trying to fix a few things.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Safe to drill hole in ski compartment on 1999 starcraft bowrider?

You might try , while the boat is on the trailer, raising the bow up as high as it can go. Then , starting with the drain plug IN.....take a garden hose and blast water through the drain hole in the ski locker , it may clear the drain port for you.I wouldn't put more water in it then 3-4 inches in the bilge area, then , get out and see if any water is seeping out of your boat.after careful inspection for leaks , open the drain plug and continue flushing out the drain hole in the ski locker...using a sturdy piece of wire and the hose is how I cleaned mine out.Report back how you make out with it....tight lines bro

 

[toolman4]

Re: Safe to drill hole in ski compartment on 1999 starcraft bowrider?

I'll give that a try. I took a panel off in the ski compartment and the fuel tank is right above that hole. I looked in the drain hole and its basically a very little gap right below the fuel tank. I tried pushing a wire through but I'm feeling resistance and dont know if a fuel line is there or what. I hate to poke a hole in something I'm not supposed to. Measuring from the outside and then the inside it looks like there is now gap below the ski compartment so I couldn't drill down. How do you get to the bilge pump? It sits right below the motor and I don't see an access panel? I think its supposed to be automatic on and off but mine is just staying on. Does it hurt if too much water covers the bilge since mines not automatic right now? Thanks for the help, still learning.

 

[toolman4]

Re: Safe to drill hole in ski compartment on 1999 starcraft bowrider?

Well, I have to holes in the ski compartment one above the other. The bottom hole looks like it was made later and doesn't drain anywhere. The top hole flushed out with the garden hose trick. Heres the problem, the ski compartment was built too low so it holds water. The water has to exit about2 inches up from the floor of the compartment. Is there a pour material that adhears to fiberglass in which I could build that up a little with a slope without using actual fiberglass?

 

[toolman4]

Re: Safe to drill hole in ski compartment on 1999 starcraft bowrider?

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