Water in bilge

[Wave34]

Hi,
when I go boating for a week end, sleeping at anchor, and take the boat out, there is about 2 gallon of water draining from the plug at the boat ramp.

When anchored, I checked in the bilge, and the only signs of water intrusion I saw was a drop every 20 seconds from under the steering arm, and the same under the exhaust, from a small hole in a bracket.

I don't think that little leak would fill the bilge that much.

One thing that I found, is my outdrive, when I pull up on it, there is some slack in the upper pivot pin. So I don't know if it could contribute to more water getting in while motoring?

The bellow is a bit old but there is no water in it last time I checked.
And it's not from rain water since it didn't rain for the last 2 months.

It's a Volvo DP-SM .
Any idea if I'm looking at the good place or not?
Thanks.
picture:

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

What kind of boat? Is there any water pumped forward such as ballast bags, livewell, a head?

If water is coming around the outdrive, then it's also getting to the transom. You likely have a rotten transom too.

 

[Scott Danforth]

when was the last time the drive was pulled and the bellows checked?

 

[cyclops222]

How many TOTAL hours is the boat in the water each week end ?
Need to look around engine while boat is at normal cruising speeds. Driving passenger required.

 

[rolmops]

Are you sure that it is the boat? Maybe there is a leak in a cooling water hose or a loose connection.
Anyway 2 gallons is not so terrible. It could just be condense water that forms on the bottom of the boat

 

[Wave34]

What kind of boat? Is there any water pumped forward such as ballast bags, livewell, a head?

If water is coming around the outdrive, then it's also getting to the transom. You likely have a rotten transom too.

It's a Chaparral Signature 260. A cruiser boat. No ballast or livewell.

 

[Wave34]

when was the last time the drive was pulled and the bellows checked?

I pull the drive every other year. So last time was in November 2023. From the outside, the bellow only shows surface dryness? It's not like new, but there is no crack. I was planning to change it next month when I winterize the boat.

 

[Wave34]

How many TOTAL hours is the boat in the water each week end ?
Need to look around engine while boat is at normal cruising speeds. Driving passenger required.

It is 48 hours continuous in the water.
I did drive the boat with the hatch opened, and didn't see anything coming from the engine or risers. But I could see water moving in the bilge, that was not there at home.

 

[Wave34]

Are you sure that it is the boat? Maybe there is a leak in a cooling water hose or a loose connection.
Anyway 2 gallons is not so terrible. It could just be condense water that forms on the bottom of the boat

When I run it on the hose at home, for 30 minutes, nothing leaks from the engine. Even motoring at 1000 RPM and the hatch opened, I take a look around the engine, and I don't see anything leaking.

 

[cyclops222]

So maybe the removing an installing the drive is what has caused a leak.

 

[Scott Danforth]

So maybe the removing an installing the drive is what has caused a leak.

Please explain how proper annual maintenance caused the leak

 

[redneck joe]

As one that went thru accepting some water that kept getting worse to fixed the water to now for sure fixed, I like zero water coming out and the ramp.

You appear to have a below the waterline issue. When mine got a leak again (outboard on a riveted aluminum) i left the plug in for a night of rain. Next day there was one rivet with one drip about every minute so no where near enough to account for what was coming out at the ramp. I needed to fix it regardless so I did and since then zero water. My point is that water pressure while running or sitting is alot more than sitting in the drive so think that direction whi h you seem to be.

I also had a 26 Carver and the bilge exit hole would get below the waterline when anchored and one or more persons were on that side and or waves. That era of Carver was tippy. Took me a couple seasons to figure out that one.

Good luck.