what is too much water coming out from the plug??

[rubennh]

Hi guys,

Every time I pull the plug from my 88 Bayliner Capri seems like there is more water coming out that what I would think is normal, last year I sealed the tramson area pretty good but I think I left a tiny spot right below the engine without proper sealant. The question is, how much water is too much, how bad too much water could affect performance, and which sealant would you guys recommend to use for this application?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

I don't know but it sounds like you have a leak. Best case scenario, one of the thru hull fittings or bolts need to be sealed. Worse case scenario, the transom is rotten and leaking. Only time I get water in my boat is when the kids jump into the boat from the lake without drying off and drip lots of water into the boat. If no one does this, I do not get any water in the boat. Water belongs on the outside of the hull, not on the inside.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

That boat came stock with a bildge pump.
If it has a float switch it should empty itself.
If any more than 1/2 gal. gets in then reseal everything again.
Seal from the inside TOO!!
The lift eyes can leak,so can the swim platform.
Any GOOD clear sealer that advertizes no shrinkage.
Home Depot,Wally's both sell good stuff.

 

[rubennh]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

Thanks, I will reseal everything just in case.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

Just guessing but I am of the assumption that your boat is an I/O. Being that you have an exhaust flexible boot and a flexible drive shaft boot that can develop cracks and allow water to enter your boat. If you feel that you are accumulating more and more water over time, launch your boat, leave it dead in the water, and go back and inspect your transom where the hole is cut for the I/O with the engine tilted in several positions from fully down to fully up. If you see any water back there you need to change your boots. Used to be a real pain but maybe OEM's have opened the area and put the clamps so that you can get them changed out. Mine was a '65 110hp Mercruiser.

Mark

 

[sbbamafan]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

Another possibility is leaking engine hose, fitting, gasket, etc...

Have you noticed if water accumulates faster with engine running than with boat just sitting in the water? Let it float for 3 or 4 hours and see what accumulated. Then put it in the water with the engine running for the same time period and see if you have the same or more water after that. If there is more, it is more likely coming from an engine leak.

 

[bgc]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

3M 5200 is best for sealing boats. Silicone caulk is best for sealing bathtubs.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

For me, any water coming out of the bilge is too much water.

Your bilge should be and stay bone dry.... unless you do a lot of swimming/tubing/sking or get caught in a rain storm.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

For me, any water coming out of the bilge is too much water.

Your bilge should be and stay bone dry.... unless you do a lot of swimming/tubing/sking or get caught in a rain storm.

This, water in your bilge is not uncommon, but it does depend on the out of boat activities, when were in the mid summer months and the kids are in the water as much as they are in the boat I can get a bunch of water out of the plug afterwards, but if its just me and the wife it should be dry. The key is learning how much your boat takes on, that way if you do get more you know something changed, could be a leak or something else, but don't just go and think that because you have water in the bilge there is a problem, I think it would be prudent to check but if everything looks normal you should be fine, I always check that my bilge pump works monthly both manually and automatically but I also have a 25' boat so if I get a couple gallons out of the plug on a busy weekend and the pump did not automatically come on I am not worried at all, a couple gallons on a bigger boat sloshing about is no big deal at all, so long as it comes out in the end.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: what is too much water coming out from the plug??

The cooler in the bow of my Four Winns deckboat drains into the bilge. Two bags of ice produce a surprising amount of water. Something like this may not be the primary source of your water issue, but it may be a factor. Also, check any hardware-to-hull-joint for water tightness. The base of a bow rail stanchion was not tight and let a lot water enter the cockpit my 1984 Sea Ray cuddy.