Boat is taking on water somewhere slowly..

[NicolasB]

I have a 2016 280SLX that is always in a hoist, and is always stored inside heated storage during colder months. Lately when cruising slowly, or just floating about, after about 30 minutes the auto-bilge warning comes on and pumps out roughly 2 gallons. I put it up on the hoist and floated around on my paddle board to inspect the bellows, etc., but everything looked really good. The boat only gets used about 6-8 times per summer for day-trips. I checked all the ports on the sides, the thru-hull transducer, etc. Could not trace where water was coming in. Perhaps it is only happening when running, but I haven't found it yet! More searching to be done this weekend I guess.

Was hoping someone had more ideas on what to check?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Golfman25]

Really the only thing you can do is go down in the engine room while running and look for leaks. I'd start with anything going thru the transom. Then maybe a hose or fitting on the engine.

 

[RichieRitz]

I recently tightened up hose clamps everywhere I could reach especially coming off exhaust risers and reduced amount I was getting though not completely. Just a couple inches in bilge and seems to stay at that level. All my bellows are new this spring. I also noted a small drip from a blue block plug so I replaced. O-ring was totally gone. I'm suspicious of the other ones I have not yet been able to locate.... fwiw

 

[ASH]

Steering pins. Use a flashlight and look at the top of the transom plate on the inside. Water will sit on the little flat spot near the top. It is tough to see it leaking.

 

[liv2ryde100]

could be raw water pump also,

 

[Skybolt]

You won't see anything putting it in the slings and looking at the bottom of the boat. If you could see anything the boat would have sunk.

As mentioned while running look around were the water is accumulating, look at the hull bottom and look for weeping runs to the lowest point.

Also if the boat is not running and just sitting in the water, do you have the same issue?

 

[liv2ryde100]

You won't see anything putting it in the slings and looking at the bottom of the boat. If you could see anything the boat would have sunk.

As mentioned while running look around were the water is accumulating, look at the hull bottom and look for weeping runs to the lowest point.

Also if the boat is not running and just sitting in the water, do you have the same issue?

I had a raw water pump that would only leak when it was in gear under load. Would leak running at the dock

 

[liv2ryde100]

Wouldn’t leak running at the dock

 

[Skybolt]

Wouldn’t leak running at the dock

No doubt, but you need to start somewhere safe first and then be prepared to look at the water pump and other area's while at cruise. Doesn't take much, look around before you get underway and then while underway look at the pump(s) etc.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Most of this has been said, but doesn't hurt to repeat. 2g in 30 minutes is quite a bit, so that actually makes it easier to find.

Start by inspecting the bellows again - just to be sure. Especially the shift cable bellows - look for cracks or separations in the pleat.

If that is all good, then observe the bilge while sitting still and with the engine running. Make sure you start with a dry bilge. Next would be to go for a ride with the hatch open - most likely, a slow ride will be enough.

 

[Scott215]

I've heard to put down dry paper towels everywhere and watch

 

[Sicktght311]

You really have to isolate it first. Put her in the water, dont turn on the motor, and take your flashlight and look everywhere for water. If you're getting 2 gallons every 30 minutes, you should see a fairly steady leak if its not engine related. If you keep it in the water for 30 mins and theres no water, then its likely a leaking hose somewhere. Check all the raw water lines. I blew 2 hoses this year in two separate events, both while under way, so its never a bad idea to inspect all hoses and clamps

 

[RichieRitz]

When were bellows done last? Can be hard to spot cracks. Maybe you are overestimating- 2 gal in 30 min seems like a lot. I’d look at dusk with a strong flashlight after pumping/toweling it all out. Good luck.

 

[Bill Curtis]

Steering pins. Use a flashlight and look at the top of the transom plate on the inside. Water will sit on the little flat spot near the top. It is tough to see it leaking.

Mine was doing same thing, but about 3 gallons in 4 hours. Was the steering pin seal. Rebuilt my steering pin this spring and doesn't leak a drop now.

 

[randmhall]

I had a cracked speedometer tube do something like this. It only leaked when it was underway. Clue was the speed reading was only about half of what I new I was doing.

 

[Thornton69]

Take a look under the Y pipe as well. It can leak along with where the trim cyl lines come in.
Reaching down with your phone on video can help with the blind spots.

 

[JayhawkCurtis]

I am having the same problem as the OP, I have a borescope and have been trying to find it. Have not tried looking while under way tho, I think we are going to try to take the boat back to the lake this weekend, might try then