Water in bilge

[rad1026]

Replaced all my bellows on the Alpha 1 gen 1 two seasons ago. I've never had water in my bilge until a few weeks ago. I noticed my exhaust bellow had torn. Very strange, but hey it needed to be replaced so two weeks ago I pulled the drive and replaced the exhaust bellow. There was no water in the U-joint bellow when I pulled the drive. Took her out again last weekend and still took in water. Not much, maybe an inch or two deep in the bilge, not enough to even raise the pump lever. It seems to level out and not go any higher. I even left her in the water over night and it didn't get any worse. If it was the U-joint bellow or the shift cable bellow wouldn't it continue to fill deeper? Does this still point to the exhaust bellow, meaning I didn't do a good job? I know I need to get it in the water and pull out the back seats and stick my head in there to really see, but for those experienced people out there would you say it still points to my exhaust bellow?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Water in bilge

It is definately NOT your exhaust bellows. You could remove it completely and not leak into your boat. You need to do as you say - stick your head down there and start looking. Hopefully it is something simple, and not a soft transom allowing a leak around the transom assembly.

 

[rad1026]

Re: Water in bilge

Really? I thought the torn exhaust would let a little water in. The transom is solid, no worries there.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Water in bilge

For sure, Fishermark is correct. no water will leak into the bilge if the exhaust bellows is torn, holed, or removed.
Removing it actually helps get a little more performance out of your boat if you are running thru hull exhaust.

 

[rad1026]

Re: Water in bilge

oh now I'm bewildered. What would possibly let just a small amount of water in the boat then? Seems like any kind of leak would just keep filling. Hmmmmm

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Water in bilge

Using a flashlight and mirror, You will have to check the engine compartment with the boat running and not running.
Your Alpha has the impeller in the drive. Therefore if you have a leaking hose between the transom and engine, it will only leak if the engine is running.
A shift bellows may leak when the drive is only tilted up, or making a right/left turn, if it is a new or small hole. But, it will get worse. Then one morning you find that your boat gone and all of your mooring lines are seem to be tied to something on the bottom of the lake.

 

[rad1026]

Re: Water in bilge

Well my next trip is to Havasu for Thanksgiving, you want to come down and bring a flashlight and a mirror? We'll be at Black Meadow Landing.

The last time I put the boat in the water I pulled back the dog house right when the boat came off the trailer and could see the water trickling in to the bilge, so I don't think its coming from the raw water system. I know its not the u-joint bellow because when I pulled the drive that bellow was dry.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Water in bilge

Look in your private messages, you will find my phone number, call me when you have your boat in the water. I may not be in Havasu though, I am a marine mechanic for the movie industry now and may be up on lake pleasant.