Taking on Water Sometimes

[David Wolfe]

I have had a 92 21' Kenner for about two years. Yesterday, I had five adults out for a day of fishing, after about 5 hours I noticed that bilge was full of water. We stopped fishing, took the boat in and drained the water. Put the plugs back in made sure they were tight and went back out for another 4 hours. We returned with a significant amount of water, but not as much.

This has happened before and I would get new plugs and it would solve the problem. The plugs i have right now are only 6 months old.

1. How long should drain pugs last? I have the boat in storage when not in use and leave the drain plugs out, but with the boat. Will the heat ruin the plugs?

2. How tight should you fasten the plugs? I have the twist type.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Taking on Water Sometimes

for cod's sake get a bilge pump hooked up. You had 5 lives at stake. Then find your leak(s). Plugs can last 20 years. You can see if it's leaking in around the plugs when you first launch.

 

[David Wolfe]

Re: Taking on Water Sometimes

Thanks for the helpful hints!

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Taking on Water Sometimes

Could your boat have been sitting low enough that water was backfeeding into the bilge from the outlet port? Sounds like you had it loaded to the max.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Taking on Water Sometimes

Could your boat have been sitting low enough that water was backfeeding into the bilge from the outlet port? Sounds like you had it loaded to the max.

5 people on a 21'? probably not overloaded.


+1 on the bilge pump.

 

[David Wolfe]

Re: Taking on Water Sometimes

Could your boat have been sitting low enough that water was backfeeding into the bilge from the outlet port? Sounds like you had it loaded to the max.

No, the max is 9 people, I sure if two of use stood at the back, the outlet ports would be below the water line, but the was little water on the deck.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Taking on Water Sometimes

you might get water up under the rubrail if your freeboard was low but not enough to fill you bilge after a few hours. You have a serious leak. Is it an I/O?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Taking on Water Sometimes

depending on how full you're talking the bilge is the rub rail is one that took me a while to figure out. also, do you have a livewell???