Excessive Amount of Water in Bilge

L

Lkcooper90

New Member
Sep 2, 2018
2
Boat Info
1996 Sea Ray 175
Engines
4.0 Mercruiser
Hello all -

My husband and I are new first time boat owners. We recently purchased a 1996 Sea Ray 175 and found it to have a host of problems. We have done some work in replacing some engine parts, but have noticed that when it is docked, it takes on an excessive amount of water. Initially we thought the drain plug might be the culprit, so we pulled it out and replaced the drain plug. When we put it back in the water and let it sit overnight, we noticed it still had about the same as before. By narrowing that out, we obviously have a leak somewhere. We docked it last night with the propellor up and found this morning there was more than normal (to a point where there was standing water in the boat). Being new to the mechanics of boating, we were wondering if any veteran boaters had any suggestions of what might be happening or how to test to see where the leak may be coming from. Thanks in advance for any help!
 
I'm assuming it is an I/O (sterndrive). From the sounds of it you need to replace the bellows. If the leak gets worse with the drive up then that is an indication of a torn bellows. These need replaced every 4 or 5 years on average and is usually done by a shop but can be done at home. General cost is around $700-1000 for this job.

Also, from what I have read leaking bellows are the #1 reason for boats sinking so this isn't something to take lightly. You may also want to consider installing a bilge pump with an automatic float that will kick on when a certain level of water is in the bilge.

Not sure that a 1996 175 would be an I/O but if it is I would be pretty sure this is your issue. I/O would have a car looking engine inside the boat with the outdrive sticking out the back of the boat. The bellow are basically rubber boots that seal the water out of the boat.
 
Welcome! Sorry for your issues. Since you have ruled out the drain plug and given that with the drive up there is more water, I would suspect your issue is either the shift cable sheath or exhaust bellows. Both are normal wear and tear items that need replaced over time, given the vintage of your boat and if they have not been replaced recently I would suspect that is the issue. Good Luck

Here is an interesting discussion about replacing it. Here is a yout tube video showing it.

Take Care!
 
Thank you both for taking the time to respond. It is an I/O and makes a lot of sense now that I know what bellows are. We are working to get the automatic float switch installed. That may buy us a little time, but you're right - the last thing we want to do is sink it.
 
That may buy us a little time,

Not the best thing to do because batteries go dead too. You need to pull the boat and fix the problem.
(to a point where there was standing water in the boat)
If you mean to the floor/deck then the engine, starter, outdrive, wiring may already be compromised
Should also post a location in case someone nearby is willing to help
 
Agreed. If there was that much water in the boat then the problem may be a little too serious to hold off. We are going to be replacing our bellows in the spring on ours (a local shop will be doing it) but ours are not leaking. Ours are just starting to show signs of cracking (just bought the boat 2 weeks ago).
A good shop can have them done in a day or 2. If you can get it scheduled you could pull the boat on a Sunday and have it back for the following weekend and have the bilge pump/float installed at the same time?
There are alot of people that do these themselves too but it helps to have the right tools. BtDoctor is right. Post your location. There may be somebody near you with the experience that might be willing to help you out with this job and save some money. I think the bellows kit is around $300? From what I understand it is a good idea to replace the lower shift cable at the same time. I have never done this job and only had it done once on our old boat but just reading around here that is my take. Guys like BtDoctor are much more knowledgeable than me on this though.
 
Bt Doctur said:
That may buy us a little time,

Not the best thing to do because batteries go dead too. You need to pull the boat and fix the problem.
(to a point where there was standing water in the boat)
If you mean to the floor/deck then the engine, starter, outdrive, wiring may already be compromised
Should also post a location in case someone nearby is willing to help
Click to expand...

Not sure how bad it’s leaking, but if it were me I think I would pull the boat out of the water rather than risk a disaster, even if it meant the season would be over. It’s September now anyway so it wouldn’t be that terrible.
 
Get that boat out of the water and fixed before it sinks than it will be a big bill to float it again and cleanup fuel etc not to mention damage to electrical and engine and all upholstery
 
If there was standing water in the boat, then your starter motor on the engine would likely have been underwater. If you are in fresh water, t's only a matter of time before it will fail unless it was dried out quickly. If you are in salt water, it will fail very soon and should be replaced.

You are new boat owners so I will give you some advice. Boats are not like cars where you can pull over to the side of the road and wait for help if you are taking on water. Don't scrimp or delay on maintenance related to leaks or engines that are not running right. Cosmetics can be delayed. Repairs of engines, outdrives, bilge pumps, batteries, or leaks should never be put off till later.
 
I had a thru hull transducer leak on mine. Check those fittings also if you have them.
 
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