New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Steve91T

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Dec 30, 2008
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302
Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

I just went for a quick ride and here's what I found. The steering felt muck better, even with the slop on the wheel. The engine turned over quickly with the new battery.

The idle problem is there when its hot. Water temp was 160-170 or so and constant.

Now for the really bad. Water is still coming in. All I could see is water dripping down the back wall. Does that mean bellows need to be replaced?

Thanks for all the help guys. Im going to call tue marina tommorow morning and see if he can't help me out.

Steve
 

wbc1957

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Apr 26, 2010
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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Not a problem since Infidel bet the gimbal ring was the problem. Just send him the bill!:D
 

Steve91T

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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

I would have no problem with that! :)
 

1980Galaxy

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Apr 11, 2009
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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Get a mirror and flashlight and find out EXACTLY where the water is coming from. You can't just assume what the problem is, you need to find the exact source (or a mechanic has to).
 

Joshua Nichols

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Jun 29, 2009
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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Dripping down the wall? That sounds bad.... Can ya take a picture and show where you saw water...
 

Steve91T

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Dec 30, 2008
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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

OK, I'll go back to the ramp tomorrow with a mirror this time. It was dripping down the transom into the bilge, near the center.

It's a 30 minute drive each way to the ramp, so to make sure I have this right. Exactly what am I looking for? Will it be fairly obvious? I've honestly never been in a bilge with a mirror before. Not exactly sure what it looks like back there.

Thanks guys.
Steve
 

infideltarget

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 30, 2010
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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

OK, I'll go back to the ramp tomorrow with a mirror this time. It was dripping down the transom into the bilge, near the center.

It's a 30 minute drive each way to the ramp, so to make sure I have this right. Exactly what am I looking for? Will it be fairly obvious? I've honestly never been in a bilge with a mirror before. Not exactly sure what it looks like back there.

Thanks guys.
Steve

It's all rainbows, and sunny days in there man! You will love it! In fact, you may never want to leave the bilge! :D

I am guessing that since he had to retighten the gimbal, the gasket/seal is probably bad. If it is in fact running down the inside of the transom, it would almost have to come in from around the gimbal, or thru the bellows...right?
 

1980Galaxy

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Apr 11, 2009
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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

It's all rainbows, and sunny days in there man! You will love it! In fact, you may never want to leave the bilge! :D

I am guessing that since he had to retighten the gimbal, the gasket/seal is probably bad. If it is in fact running down the inside of the transom, it would almost have to come in from around the gimbal, or thru the bellows...right?

maybe... maybe not. depending on where everything is located, it could be an exhaust elbow thats cracked and leaking, or the hose that comes up from the lower unit water pump up to the engine and just so happens to be running down the transom... that's why i said you have to find the source, you never know.

And i agree that there's nothing but rainbows and puppies down in the bilge! :) I'm thinking about taking a vacation in MY bilge this weekend just to relax and forget about life for awhile haha.
 

wbc1957

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Apr 26, 2010
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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Wednesday night is ladies night in the bilge.....
 

mikel1291979

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Jun 28, 2010
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Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

I like the lines on your boat. Show us what the inside looks like.
 

infideltarget

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 30, 2010
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802
Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

maybe... maybe not. depending on where everything is located, it could be an exhaust elbow thats cracked and leaking, or the hose that comes up from the lower unit water pump up to the engine and just so happens to be running down the transom... that's why i said you have to find the source, you never know.

And i agree that there's nothing but rainbows and puppies down in the bilge! :) I'm thinking about taking a vacation in MY bilge this weekend just to relax and forget about life for awhile haha.

Roger. Good copy.
 

infideltarget

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 30, 2010
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802
Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

I like the lines on your boat. Show us what the inside looks like.

Meh...it (and all mariahs...'specially the "Z" pkg ones) are all ugly pigs. He needs to just send it on to my place, and save himself the embarrassment of driving it. I mean really...who wants a bowrider that looks like a mini off shore boat? Besides me, of course...
 

Steve91T

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Dec 30, 2008
Messages
302
Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

You guys crack me up. I called the marina and they said to bring it by and they should be able to tell where the leak is coming from. It's an hour and a half drive each way, but I think it'd be worth it to let them find the problem. They did sell the boat to me in this condition, so maybe they can give me a break in the cost to fix it.

We'll see what happens.
Steve
 

steveclv

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 12, 2010
Messages
242
Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Is anyone else thinking what I am thinking but doesn't want to tempt fate?

Every time I hear the words 'water leak' and 'Inboard/Outboard' it seems to degenerate into an 'OMG I have to rebuild my transom' thread.

I really hope that the water is coming from the engine cooling system but history has proven otherwise on so many occasions

Fingers are crossed for you Steve
 

Steve91T

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Dec 30, 2008
Messages
302
Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Is anyone else thinking what I am thinking but doesn't want to tempt fate?

Every time I hear the words 'water leak' and 'Inboard/Outboard' it seems to degenerate into an 'OMG I have to rebuild my transom' thread.

I really hope that the water is coming from the engine cooling system but history has proven otherwise on so many occasions

Fingers are crossed for you Steve

I really hope not, and I doubt it. The boat is in beautiful shape, of course I also know that doesn't mean a whole lot.

What would a leak from any of the bellows look like? Something other than water getting into the bilge?


BTW, when the marina sold me the boat, they said they've been doing the maintenance mostly since new and they changed the gimbal bearing and bellows just a couple of years ago. When I called them, they said all they've done is winterization.

I'm really trying to keep my hopes high. But I really do feel like I was really mislead.

Please let me know if there is anything else I should have them check while I'm there. I have a smart phone, so I can check this forum on my drive down there.

Thanks for all the help.
Steve
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Yeah I didn't want to be the one to say "a rotted transom may have been what loosened all that stuff up" :eek:
 
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