Probably a stupid question but?

[TampaBoater]

Do boats normally collect a certain amount of water in the bilge/hull under normal operating conditions?
Every time I take my boat out, I make sure the bilge is completely empty, then during running the bilge pumpwill pump out about maybe 1-2 quarts of water every 40-45 mins. I have checked for any water leakage from engine parts, nothing. Then, when I pull the boat out, I take the plug off and out comes about 3/4 to about a gallon of water...
Is this normal? Keep in mind my boat is an i/o with a 2 foot wall all around. Calm days such as today, I didn't get a drop of sea water over the side into the boat. So I know it's not that. I don't know what else could it be, or if this is expected.. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
LES.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Not normal. Sounds like you have an I/O. What do you have exactly? I would be checking bellows.

 

[TampaBoater]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Not normal. Sounds like you have an I/O. What do you have exactly? I would be checking bellows.

I have a 85 Merc 305 with Alpha 1...

 

[thumpar]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Pull the drive and see what is in the u-joint bellows.

 

[TampaBoater]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Pull the drive and see what is in the u-joint bellows.

I haven't pulled the drive, I have to come up with some time for this project. From external inspection though, bellows seem in great shape, no cracking, no loose clamps, water intake hose is in good shape, shift cable bellows in good shape.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Put the boat in forward, remove the six nuts from the drive and then the trim pin. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes unless something is wrong. Even if that is not the issue it is a good thing to check the alignment and u-joints anyway.

 

[Lager]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Water should not really be coming in. If you do not have any live or bait wells in the boat that are filled with water, then it has to be comeing from either the hull or something thats under the water allowing water in. I guess cooling water from engine leaks is possible but Im guessing you checked all that.If you are suspecting a water leak from the engine area, one thing you can use to find is spray on foot powder.
Find a spray on foot powder that dries white , then when your engine area is dry, spray this all over concentrating on where water might intrude. Then toss it into the water and when you engine cover is off look for the dark water stain is going to leave on the dry white powder. Run the engine if you have to, but it will show up and will be easily seen.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Ditto - what kind of boat do you have?

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Had the same issue on the same vintage drive. Replaced all bellows and still leaked. Found the culprit,it was the gasket on the trim lines-exterior of the boat,below the outer gimble ring where the lines hook up to the drive.replaced and all was good!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

I agree, not normal for that much.

I assume it' a trailer boat?

And it's not water that accumulates in the bilge while the boat is on the trailer--that happens when the bow is stored too low then the water runs to the bilge when you launch.

try launching and leaving it sit for an hour or two and see if anything accumulates. Use the foot powder method. That may find the easy ones.

Although I know nothing about i/o's, it seems that even if it doesn't leak at rest, while running, the bellows and related connections, under force, will open up a leak that doesn't otherwise show.

Some boats ship water through the bow eye, vents, under the splash rail, too.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

You are supposed to grease the U-joints in that boat every year. To do that the outdrive needs to come off. Sounds like a good time to pull it and replace the gaskets and orings. Maybe that fixes your leak.

 

[TampaBoater]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

I have an 85 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 w/a which later became the Seahawk....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

collecting water is not normal unless you have coolers that empty into the bilge.

since you have not pulled the drive to inspect the bellows. do so now.

If you do not have time to perform preventative maintenance, when will you have time to perform repair work?

 

[Splat]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Rub rails are also notorious for this type of issue.

 

[Fed]

Re: Probably a stupid question but?

Next time you launch start off dry and immediately look around the back with a flashlight and feel around with your hands to find the leak. You may have to remove some covers, lift the engine box etc.