taking on water

[Stratos 201ski]

I have a stratos 201 ski with evinrude 200 hp outboard ive noticed that im taking on water when i have people in the rear of the boat or someone is being pulled on a tube for the life of me i cant figure out where its coming in but every time i pull someone and then stop i have to bilge it out maybe a couple gallons each time. the boat is low on the water and when im slowing down to wake speed water comes over the transom sometimes but the only way it could get into the bilge compartment is if it came up to sundeck or thru the hole where the steering shaft and wiring exits. i changed the plug which didnt help and sealed the bilge cover and all the motor mounts seem to be well sealed with silicone any ideas would be helpful . I guess ill put a plastic ziplock over the steering exit hole next to see if that helps but other than that i have no idea.It doesnt take on any water with just 2 people riding in center seats only with a load in the rear of boat or when pulling skiers or tube

 

[Chris1956]

There are boots for the steering cable and control cables, fuel line, where they exit the splashwell. They are pretty common n marine stores.

Oh yeah, slow down "slowly" to minimize water splashing over transom.

 

[Alumarine]

Sometimes on fiberglass boats water from spray can come in if the rub rail on the outside of the boat is not sealed well.
That's where the top and bottom of the boat are mated.

 

[mr 88]

I hope you have a auto/ with manual with over ride bilge pump.,,,,, So it doesn't take on water unless your coming off plane quickly , that should tell you something and the replies about it have been spot on.

 

[Stratos 201ski]

thanks i sealed the boot that was already on there and also resealed around boltholes and rubrail but cant test until i swap out the stator smh always something lol