Water in 1991 19ft Starcraft

[2cyclemercman]

Come in from day of boating and observed water splashing out from under the cover of my hold door of my deck. Pulled the plug and I would guess at least 10 gallons of water drained out. I had my bellows inspected earlier this spring before I put it in the water and they were okay. Could it be the intake for my live well that is bringing in water ? I am baffled as to where the water is coming in.

 

[Chris1956]

I presume you have a mercruiser or other sterndrive? Check the raw water hose, power steering cooler, thermostat housing or manifold and riser hoses for leaks. All of these areas will leak, with the motor running. Some will leak whether the motor is running or not. You had the shift cable bellows inspected as well?

After that, you need to check all thru-hull fittings, including the drain plug, for leaks.

 

[2cyclemercman]

I have a 4.3L Mercruiser engine and an Alpha One Gen II outdrive. The mechanic I take it to told me it most likely needs a new boot kit which houses the steering cable, speedometer cable ,etc.

 

[airshot]

Get down in there and look around, only way to find the leaks. Could be coming from many many different places. Only way to know for sure is to stick your head in there with a flashlight and look for water coming in. With that much water, it should not be a problem seeing it.

 

[Chris1956]

Your mechanic has given you incorrect information. The steering cable is inside the boat. The speedo pickup is separate from the motor. Mercruisers like yours have bellows for driveshaft and shiftcable. Some have bellows for exhaust tube, but they are not strictly necessary. I would recommend you find the source of the leak first, as the mechanic seems to be ready to just replace parts, versus finding the leak.