New boater with some questions..

[Moonstation2000]

Hi, I just got a 91 Cajun prosport 150 as a first boat. Probably going to get a bow rider in the future but right now this is my entry to boating. We took it to the lake today and I have a couple of questions. Any help would be appreciated.

1. How do I check the bilge pump? Also, when I took the boat out of the water and pulled the plug more water came out than I was expecting. Maybe 10-15 gallons roughly.. Is this normal or should I be worried? We were on the water for maybe 4.5 hours. Live wells were plugged but still got a little water in each.

2. The speedo doesn't work. Where does it get a signal from?

3. The front deck is a bit rotted. Could probably patch it but is it a simple matter to replace?

I'm pretty handy but brand new to boats. Had fun on the water today and want it to continue! Thanks in advance for any help...

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: New boater with some questions..

1. If the bilge pump does not come automatically it may not have an auto switch. There will always be a manual switch on the dash if you have a pump. That is way too much water for that short a time frame. You have a leak.
2. there should be a pick up tube for the speedo on the transom that may be pointing straight back and needs pushed to point down. It may have picked up some mud, try a little wire to clear it.
3. if the front deck is rotted don't put another minute of labor or dime of costs until the transom and stringers are checked for rot.

 

[southkogs]

Re: New boater with some questions..

...Maybe 10-15 gallons roughly.. Is this normal or should I be worried? We were on the water for maybe 4.5 hours...

Sounds like a LOT of water to me. Bilge pump may need some workin' on, but that doesn't really account for 14 gallons of water building up from just runnin' around. Might need to start looking for a leak ...

Welcome aboard BTW.

 

[DAN M VAGOS]

Re: New boater with some questions..

I agree thats a lot of water. I think you should find some one you know or a boat yard to look at it for you because the questions you are asking sound like the boat may have some big problems and giving you good advice without looking at it and seeing it first hand is a tuff one.

 

[pckeen]

Re: New boater with some questions..

Hi,

Welcome to iboats and boating. If your boat is picking up 10-14 gallons of water while out running, then unless you are getting a lot of water in the boat through water activities, you have quite a leak. However, if the boat has been sitting for a while, it is possible for water to get trapped under the floorboards. The movement of running the boat in the water and then pulling it out, can dislodge the water. HOwever, 10-15 gallons sounds like a lot for that.

As for the damage to the floorboards - that is probably a sign of more extensive problems under the deck. You may have both a leak, and rotten stringers / deck, which can be an expensive repair. Go take a look through the boat restorations site on iboats - you will see a lot of boats with similar issues.

Best of luck!

 

[Moonstation2000]

Re: New boater with some questions..

1. If the bilge pump does not come automatically it may not have an auto switch. There will always be a manual switch on the dash if you have a pump. That is way too much water for that short a time frame. You have a leak.
2. there should be a pick up tube for the speedo on the transom that may be pointing straight back and needs pushed to point down. It may have picked up some mud, try a little wire to clear it.
3. if the front deck is rotted don't put another minute of labor or dime of costs until the transom and stringers are checked for rot.

1. There is a manual switch on the dash for the bilge pump. I'll have to check the pump and see if it runs at all.
2. I was wondering what that was!!! Yes, it was in the wrong position.
3. I guess it's time to give this boat a good inspection. I didn't go over it because i bought it from my dad who's too old to use it anymore and he's only been out in it once. I was doing him a favor by giving him his money back.

 

[Moonstation2000]

Re: New boater with some questions..

Hi,

Welcome to iboats and boating. If your boat is picking up 10-14 gallons of water while out running, then unless you are getting a lot of water in the boat through water activities, you have quite a leak. However, if the boat has been sitting for a while, it is possible for water to get trapped under the floorboards. The movement of running the boat in the water and then pulling it out, can dislodge the water. HOwever, 10-15 gallons sounds like a lot for that.

As for the damage to the floorboards - that is probably a sign of more extensive problems under the deck. You may have both a leak, and rotten stringers / deck, which can be an expensive repair. Go take a look through the boat restorations site on iboats - you will see a lot of boats with similar issues.

Best of luck!

Thanks. I'm sure I'll need it.

I don't think there was any water in the boat when I launched it. I washed it and dried it out last weekend and I had the tank out to clean it late in the week and there was no water to be seen anywhere in the bilge at the back. It was bone dry.

I have been looking online trying to learn a lot about boats and it looks like rot is the biggest issue, like rust on a car. I'll give the boat a good check. But ultimately I don't have a lot of money sunk into it so I won't be too upset if there is some rot, as long as the boat is usable for the rest of this year I'll be happy. We've already decided that a 15' bass boat doesn't suit us as much as we think a bow rider would. This bass boat is our entry into boating to see if we like it-so far so good!

 

[pckeen]

Re: New boater with some questions..

Then you know what - if the transom seems solid - run the boat and enjoy it.

When I started, I got some advice from a GOG (good old guy), who said: "buy a cheap old boat for your fist boat because will make mistakes. Then, once you've banged it up a bit, sell it and buy a good new boat, and it'll last you forever."

 

[Moonstation2000]

Re: New boater with some questions..

Then you know what - if the transom seems solid - run the boat and enjoy it.

When I started, I got some advice from a GOG (good old guy), who said: "buy a cheap old boat for your fist boat because will make mistakes. Then, once you've banged it up a bit, sell it and buy a good new boat, and it'll last you forever."

Well that's good news then because I gave the engine some leverage today and the transom was solid. No cracks evident either.

I took off the front deck too and was surprised to see that it was made of particleboard, no wonder it got soft! Who would use that on a boat? Also I think it rotted from the water in the live well, because the bad area was directly over the live well. I was going to use pressure treated and also coat the area over the live well maybe with some rubberized undercoating.

One more problem; the steering felt like driving a car in a parking lot with broken power steering. Going to have to check that out too.

 

[NYBo]

Re: New boater with some questions..

Don't use pressure treated. It has too high moisture content for fiberglass resin to bond with correctly. Fully sealed exterior grade plywood will work fine.

 

[Moonstation2000]

Re: New boater with some questions..

Don't use pressure treated. It has too high moisture content for fiberglass resin to bond with correctly. Fully sealed exterior grade plywood will work fine.

This boat has fiberglass under the carpet? Sorry if this is a stupid question.... The piece I took off was just wood with carpet attached.