Still getting water in, but...

[MAXXIE]

I replaced the deck with a solid piece of wood. I am getting water in the bilge for no reason I could see: no splash in, no swamping. I cut two small squares, one in front between console & one right in front of rear splash well (out board motor). I mounted 1/4" plex. glass over them so I could watch & see what/where the water was coming from. Not a drop anywhere under deck, but the bilge still gets the water. About every 20-30 min.'s I flick the bilge switch & it pumps a full stream for a few sec.'s then runs dry. I've looked over everything under the back of the boat, not even a chip or scratch anywhere. The plug is tight & I wrap with dope tape everytime. The thru-hull fitting for the plug looks perfect as well. I'm not like sinking or anything like that, it's just driving me nutz-o as to where it's coming in. Any other ideas ?

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

Two culprits to look at. If it's an I/O, check your bellows. They get old and crack over time. If they are bad, replace them - don't wait, as they can get worse in a hurry.

Second is right at the rub rail. This is where the bottom (hull) and top (deck) are attached. The rub rail covers up the seam, but sometimes there is a leak. Water splashes up while underway, and makes it's way into the bilge. Test for this one using a garden hose and walk around squirting water up at the bottom of the rub rail, while checking the bilge for water coming in.

Only other thought - do you have a livewell that has a bad fitting?

 

[superbenk]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

Rot in the transom around the transom plate may leak too or leaking from sea-cocks on engine coolant drains or loose coolant hose or... lots of options. You could put the plug in while in the driveway & pump a bunch of water into your bilge to see if any leaks out of the boat, but that seems messy to me. I'd look around the hole in the transom (if possible) while in the water to see if anything is wet/dripping.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

it's an outboard people......

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

Do you have a live well?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Still getting water in, but...

spread newspaper, or sprinkle talcum powder, to try to find the source.

Also check you speedometer tube if the speedo isn't working.

I'll bet rail leaks--very hard to find.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

This was driving me nutzo on my 10 year old 185 Sea Ray a few years back than I came across a old post on rub rails letting in water. I didn't test it with a hose, I decided to take off the rail and reseal the whole boat. It was obvious right away when I seen two more holes drilled than needed screw holes. Somebody really went wrong getting the pattern correct at the factory. Hope he got better or fired. Didn't even bother to plug the holes not needed.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

check the bolts holding the outboard to the transom

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

The plug maybe tight but make sure the plug housing which mounts to boat with two screws is tight and leak proof, I was leaking there also.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

Thanks for the ideas, I like & will try filling the bilge with water in the driveway to see if any is leaking out. Last night I got a tube of silicone & sealed around the drain plug housing. I also removed the speed-o tube & sending unit (never worked anyway) & sealed those holes, fairly large hole for 1/4" tube to go thru. Anyway, I'm planning on hitting the water today, we'll see if anything is different. Thanks again, Oh, BTW, there is no livewell

 

[superbenk]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

You'd probably do better with some 3M 5200 waterproof sealant/adhesive. Silicon won't hold very well in wet conditions.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

Ya, your prob right. I'll pick some of that 5200 up as soon as I can. The silicone I used should give me a pretty good idea if I fixed the problem atleast. I'll know more after today if I get it on the water (weather guy just changed the forcast for today, looks like heavy overcast with on & off downpours all day). I'll peel the silicone off & replace it with the 5200, just didn't have any on hand last night.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

Well, that wasn't it. Still have the water getting in somewhere. I have no idea what to do now. I've tried all the ideas mentioned above, but can't seem to pin point the problem. I guess I'll just need to invest in a really good bilge with a float switch, & wire up a signal light on the dash that light's up when it comes on. I'll keep looking, but just don't know where to look now.

 

[INJUN]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

Check the rubber fitting that your motor control / steering cables enter the splash well. While drifting in the choppy water, occasionally I'd get water in through there from waves splashing into the well area.

Good luck!

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

So this started after you replaced the deck? Are you sure you didn't pop a screw through the hull when screwing it in? I did that once before! It leaked probably as much as yours. What type of boat is it?

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: Still getting water in, but...

Also:

Do you have a built in gas tank under the deck? If so are you sure it's water that's filling the bilge? Could be gas from a leaking hose.