Water in bilge

[twag4]

I am a new boat owner. I have a 1999 Glastron GS185 w/ mercruiser 4.3L and Alpha1 gen II. I am in southeastern Alabama and the boat has only been used in fresh water. I just had new water impeller, new gimble bearing, new shift boot and new exhaust flappers 3-weeks ago, and boat in the water 4 times since. The mechanic I chose has an impeccable reputation and told me that the other boots and u-joint are in great shape. My problem is that I am still getting a little water in the bilge. The boat is a runabout bowrider that we will use for water sports when warmer. We are fishing alot with it right now and the water gets in bilge when engine not running, none when underway. The hull is in good shape and I am pretty sure the water leak is from either the transom and/or the transom plug. I am very skilled mechanically with cars and motorcycles, and after reading all of the great info on here believe the boat to be equally do it myself-able. Resetting the transom plug should be easy enough, but what kind of sealer? Three screws hold in the insert and 1/2" pipe thread plug. What about the small trail of water I have witnessed from the bottom of the starboard side of the transom plate(if this is what it is called)? It is the mercruiser transom.

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in bilge

You have to look and see where the water is coming from. There are a lot of places the water could be coming from other than the bellows.
Put it in the water and watch for signs. Spray some talcome power around and see where some steaks from water come from.

 

[twag4]

Re: Water in bilge

I see a small stream, and I mean small, coming from the bottom of the transom starboard side on the inside of the boat. This little stream runs for or five inches to the bottom of the bilge down the back of the boat.

 

[Coors]

Re: Water in bilge

Look on the outside. Is there a screw there? Or a crack in the gelcoat?

 

[twag4]

Re: Water in bilge

No screw, no crack. How does all of this bolt through the fiberglass transom on this alpha 1? Is there a gasket that could leak, is it sealed with sealer only? Could there be some bolts I could tighten?

 

[ccmarsh]

Re: Water in bilge

could there be a leak in your cooling system? When is the water there, before boating, after boating?

Chris

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in bilge

No screw, no crack. How does all of this bolt through the fiberglass transom on this alpha 1? Is there a gasket that could leak, is it sealed with sealer only? Could there be some bolts I could tighten? I see a small stream, and I mean small, coming from the bottom of the transom starboard side on the inside of the boat. This little stream runs for or five inches to the bottom of the bilge down the back of the boat.

Ayuh,....

There's a Gasket that goes around the Whole thing,....
And,....
IF the bolts are Loose,......
It probably means the transom is Rotten,.... They usually Don't just loosen by themselves....

If you can See a small stream,.... Look at where it Starts,.... Not where it's going....

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water in bilge

Ayuh,....

There's a Gasket that goes around the Whole thing,....
And,....
IF the bolts are Loose,......
It probably means the transom is Rotten,.... They usually Don't just loosen by themselves....

If you can See a small stream,.... Look at where it Starts,.... Not where it's going....

I think a rotten transom on a '99 is unlikely, but not impossible......
Will pulling the riser/manifold on help you locate it?.....
You can do that in the water if you have a dock & calm water.....
You are going to have to do whatever it takes to find out exactly where it is coming from, what ever it takes.......

 

[JustJason]

Re: Water in bilge

last year i saw a rotted transom in an 04...

 

[twag4]

Re: Water in bilge

I really can't imagine the bilge being rotten. The boat is in good shape. Is it plywood core in fiberglass? If it is rotten how easily repaired? Like I said in my initial post, the leak only occurs when just sitting in the water, engine not running. Just had the boat at the mechanic and he said all was good mechanically. It had a torn shift boot that I could see before the work was done. Leaked alot then. The leak initiates at the bottom starboard side of the transom (where the black mercruiser stuff bolts through the fiberglass glastron stuff). I am not trying to be smart, I just am unsure what parts, their names and the nature of the seal used in this area. It is very difficult to get to and to see. This is why all of the questions. I really do appreciate all of the help and input. I love this site by the way.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Water in bilge

The transom is about 2 inches of plywood sandwiched between fiberglass with a big hole cut through it for the inner and outer transom plates to bolt together with a rubber seal just inside the outer edge of the outer plate.

Is that clear as mud?

When the boat gets much water INSIDE the plywood gets wet at the transom cutout and begins to 'dryrot'. Some areas rot quicker than others, as the transom softens that outer seal begins to leak.

From the position of the leak you describe, this is going to get expensive.

Sorry

 

[rob85546]

Re: Water in bilge

mine was taking on a little water.. Had the wife spray with a hose all around the drive while I was inside with a flashlight.... ON mine there are two bottom bolts that go thru that have anodes on them.. The bolts were corroded and water was coming in thru there....New bolts no more leaks..