Leak 2006 270 AJ - bow area

krs616

Member
Jan 9, 2011
69
Michigan
Boat Info
2006 270 Amberjack - Sold
Engines
Merc 496 Mag 375 hp
Bravo III
I have a leak that 2 marina's still can't solve.
Freshwater tank is in the bow of this boat. Last year fittings to FW tank were fixed and said to be not leaking. However, when I take the boat out for a spin, having the fresh water pump and head makes the forward raised platform where the table inserts soaked. The repair folks have filled, run the pump etc..when docked only up to this point. It really only happens when driving. Opening the cabinets that are directly to the port & starboard and feeling around..all is dry. It's literally just the platform, then when wet enough, will wet the cabin carpet below too....
Is there a raw water pick up that could force water to that part of the boat?
Something between the fw tank and head system that's forcing water out when running the boat?

HELP!
 
If you have A/C, where is the compressor located in your boat?

Can you re-explain this - it doesn't make sense: "having the fresh water pump and head makes the forward raised platform where the table inserts soaked. "

Have you tried going for a ride with the tank empty? Still get a wet floor?

Pull your anchor gear out and inspect the locker floor and side walls for cracks large enough to pass water.
 
I only have the issue when the fresh water pump and head are turned on AND running the boat..Haven't had any leak while at the dock and the pumps running.
I will double check the anchor locker, although the marina did and hit it with a hose. Not sure where the AC compressor is..I know the raw water pick up turn on handle for the AC is in the bilge.
Posted a pic of the wet area...
Thanks in advance for replies!
 

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If you have A/C, where is the compressor located in your boat?

Can you re-explain this - it doesn't make sense: "having the fresh water pump and head makes the forward raised platform where the table inserts soaked. "

Have you tried going for a ride with the tank empty? Still get a wet floor?

Pull your anchor gear out and inspect the locker floor and side walls for cracks large enough to pass water.
Also, no wet floor with empty tank...forgot that part.
 
Well, no reason to look for the compressor then as a raw water leak from that system woud happen regardless of the fresh water pump. Although it would be good to know where it is - your manual will tell you... although it's gotta be within 27' of you no matter where you are on the boat! :) But if you didn't see it in the v-berth storage compartments, then it's further aft and not the issue, regardless.

I take it you have tried running with the fresh water system OFF and no leak? The head being on or off doesn't (shouldn't) matter since it's charged with water anytime the pump is on. But I can't see the leak coming from there anyways - too far downhill.

Do you have access to the fresh water tank... is there an access panel that you can unscrew and leave unscrewed?

If you're positive that the leak is ONLY happening when the water system is on... I'd want to verify, again, that there are no leaks in the tank fittings and that there are no cracks in the tank.

EDIT: Just saw your "no wet floor with empty tank" post - must have posting at the same time I was writing. SO... Unless there's more information that's missing, the issue is with the tank or the fittings.
 
Well, no reason to look for the compressor then as a raw water leak from that system woud happen regardless of the fresh water pump. Although it would be good to know where it is - your manual will tell you... although it's gotta be within 27' of you no matter where you are on the boat! :) But if you didn't see it in the v-berth storage compartments, then it's further aft and not the issue, regardless.

I take it you have tried running with the fresh water system OFF and no leak? The head being on or off doesn't (shouldn't) matter since it's charged with water anytime the pump is on. But I can't see the leak coming from there anyways - too far downhill.

Do you have access to the fresh water tank... is there an access panel that you can unscrew and leave unscrewed?

If you're positive that the leak is ONLY happening when the water system is on... I'd want to verify, again, that there are no leaks in the tank fittings and that there are no cracks in the tank.

EDIT: Just saw your "no wet floor with empty tank" post - must have posting at the same time I was writing. SO... Unless there's more information that's missing, the issue is with the tank or the fittings.
Thanks Lazy Daze! Marina filled the tank Friday, marked the level and is going to run it down the lake tomorrow...Just odd that it only leaks when the 2 pumps are on and the boat is being driven..I'd think if the fittings were loose ands/or the tank was cracked it would leak no matter what....hopefully it will leak when they run it tomorrow so they don't think I'm crazy!!
 
My guess is that it leaks when not running too, but when you get up on plane in drains back and soaks the carpet. There is probably standing water above (in front of) that carpet.
 
A couple points of information for a 2006 270 AJ:
  • AC location: the self-contained unit would be located on the port side under the cockpit, against the forward bulkhead in the storage area. If looking at the electrical panel in the cabin, it would be behind the wall the the left (aft). The AC condensate line drains to the shower sump box under the interior step into the cabin
  • The photo posted above is of the floor area in the v-berth, and shows the socket for the dining table stand. The area is raised from the the cabin sole, and is just aft of the water tank.
  • The water tank is located in the bow, under the v-berth cushions. It is accessed by removing the cushions, then unscrewing a number of carpeted plywood panels.
  • The tank has 3 fittings: 2 forward at the centerline for the fill and air vent. 1 at the port-side aft at the bottom, for the hose connection that goes the water pump. See the diagram attached.
    270AJ WaterTank.JPG
  • The water pump is located in the engine space on the port side, near the forward bulkhead. The line is a home run from the tank to the pump and runs down the port side under the cabinets and sink area, through the under-cockpit storage, through the firewall, and to the pump. There are no other distribution lines forward of the sink and head.
With that out of the way, some thoughts on possible sources of the leak and some things to rule out.
  • AC: with the AC being under the cockpit, that's not it.
  • When the water pump is activated the water distribution lines are pressurized. Water is pulled from the tank when a faucet is opened. The closest water line is for the galley sink, and that's not actually close. With no water lines in area of the leak, I would rule out the water pump being on as related. I think it's a coincidence.
  • Head: Turning on the head turns on the vacuflush system, not the water. You can still fill the bowl with water if the head is turned off. With all of the head components aft of the leak, I would rule this out as a source. I think it's a coincidence as well. I just don't see any interconnection of the head and this leak.
This points me to something on the tank itself.
  • I see only 3 points of failure here: The supply hose connection, the drain connection, and a crack in the tank.
  • The leak is observed when the boat has been running. When running, the bow points up and the water would drain back.
  • A leak in the aft drain connection. Perhaps this is a slow leak and that pools in under the v-berth. When running, the water runs back and wets the step. But, I think you would see more evidence of a continuous leak if this were the case.
  • A leak at the supply connections. Similar to the drain connection, perhaps there is a leak that drains back when the bow rises when running.
  • Cracked tank. When running, the water in the tank will slosh back against the aft wall and the top of the tank. If there were a crack in the top or upper part of the aft wall of the tank, it may not evident when the boat is at rest because the water wouldn't contact those points.
A last possibility that was mentioned is the anchor locker. If the 2 drains in the locker are clogged that space could fill with water. When underway the water could move against the back wall and perhaps drain under the v-berth as you are seeing. You asked about raw water pickups: the only ones would be in the engine space for the engine, AC, and genny (if equipped). There are 2 clamshell scoops that face aft and cover the anchor drains. It's possible (but unlikely) one is missing and you're getting water splash into the drain holes.

Based on the description of the leak and owning the same model, I would check for 1) a clogged anchor locker drain and water in there - because it's super easy to check; 2) a crack in the tank; 3) loose connections on the fill and drain lines (no preference in order). One way to check might be to tracer dye to the tank and see where it comes out.
 
Last edited:
A couple points of information for a 2006 270 AJ:
  • AC location: the self-contained unit would be located on the port side under the cockpit, against the forward bulkhead in the storage area. If looking at the electrical panel in the cabin, it would be behind the wall the the left (aft). The AC condensate line drains to the shower sump box under the interior step into the cabin
  • The photo posted above is of the floor area in the v-berth, and shows the socket for the dining table stand. The area is raised from the the cabin sole, and is just aft of the water tank.
  • The water tank is located in the bow, under the v-berth cushions. It is accessed by removing the cushions, then unscrewing a number of carpeted plywood panels.
  • The tank has 3 fittings: 2 forward at the centerline for the fill and air vent. 1 at the port-side aft at the bottom, for the hose connection that goes the water pump. See the diagram attached.
    View attachment 57222
  • The water pump is located in the engine space on the port side, near the forward bulkhead. The line is a home run from the tank to the pump and runs down the port side under the cabinets and sink area, through the under-cockpit storage, through the firewall, and to the pump. There are no other distribution lines forward of the sink and head.
With that out of the way, some thoughts on possible sources of the leak and some things to rule out.
  • AC: with the AC being under the cockpit, that's not it.
  • When the water pump is activated the water distribution lines are pressurized. Water is pulled from the tank when a faucet is opened. The closest water line is for the galley sink, and that's not actually close. With no water lines in area of the leak, I would rule out the water pump being on as related. I think it's a coincidence.
  • Head: Turning on the head turns on the vacuflush system, not the water. You can still fill the bowl with water if the head is turned off. With all of the head components aft of the leak, I would rule this out as a source. I think it's a coincidence as well. I just don't see any interconnection of the head and this leak.
This points me to something on the tank itself.
  • I see only 3 points of failure here: The supply hose connection, the drain connection, and a crack in the tank.
  • The leak is observed when the boat has been running. When running, the bow points up and the water would drain back.
  • A leak in the aft drain connection. Perhaps this is a slow leak and that pools in under the v-berth. When running, the water runs back and wets the step. But, I think you would see more evidence of a continuous leak if this were the case.
  • A leak at the supply connections. Similar to the drain connection, perhaps there is a leak that drains back when the bow rises when running.
  • Cracked tank. When running, the water in the tank will slosh back against the aft wall and the top of the tank. If there were a crack in the top or upper part of the aft wall of the tank, it may not evident when the boat is at rest because the water wouldn't contact those points.
A last possibility that was mentioned is the anchor locker. If the 2 drains in the locker are clogged that space could fill with water. When underway the water could move against the back wall and perhaps drain under the v-berth as you are seeing. You asked about raw water pickups: the only ones would be in the engine space for the engine, AC, and genny (if equipped). There are 2 clamshell scoops that face aft and cover the anchor drains. It's possible (but unlikely) one is missing and you're getting water splash into the drain holes.

Based on the description of the leak and owning the same model, I would check for 1) a clogged anchor locker drain and water in there - because it's super easy to check; 2) a crack in the tank; 3) loose connections on the fill and drain lines (no preference in order). One way to check might be to tracer dye to the tank and see where it comes out.
Fantastic, detailed information! Very much appreciated!!! I will report back as to what it turns out to be.
Again, thank you!!!
 
My tank has a 4" inspection port on top. I recently had an issue where if I over-filled the tank, water would leak out through the seal in the inspection port. It's not too much of a stretch to guess that when the boat is running with the bow up, a semi-full tank would leak through that port. Sorry that doesn't explain why the problem only seems to occur when the pump is on, but Occam's razor suggests checking it out.

Another question and possibility. Do you connect to shore water when docked? There is a check valve in the pump as well as a pressure regulator in the shore-water inlet. Should shore water pressure over-power those, water can back up through the pump and effectively overfill your tank, exposing any fitting issues. As @importmonkey mentioned, such a leak may only become apparent when on plane.

The lessons I learned from having to deal with these issues, is forget everything you think you know about water leaks. check everything.
 
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My tank has a 4" inspection port on top. I recently had an issue where if I over-filled the tank, water would leak out through the seal in the inspection port. It's not too much of a stretch to guess that when the boat is running with the bow up, a semi-full tank would leak through that port. Sorry that doesn't explain why the problem only seems to occur when the pump is on, but Occam's razor suggests checking it out.

Another question and possibility. Do you connect to shore water when docked? There is a check valve in the pump as well as a pressure regulator in the shore-water inlet. Should shore water pressure over-power those, water can back up through the pump and effectively overfill your tank, exposing any fitting issues. As @importmonkey mentioned, such a leak may only become apparent when on plane.

The lessons I learned from having to deal with these issues, is forget everything you think you know about water leaks. check everything.
Thank you for the suggestion! I do not connect to shore water. I will have the marina check the check valve in the pump as well!
 
A couple points of information for a 2006 270 AJ:
  • AC location: the self-contained unit would be located on the port side under the cockpit, against the forward bulkhead in the storage area. If looking at the electrical panel in the cabin, it would be behind the wall the the left (aft). The AC condensate line drains to the shower sump box under the interior step into the cabin
  • The photo posted above is of the floor area in the v-berth, and shows the socket for the dining table stand. The area is raised from the the cabin sole, and is just aft of the water tank.
  • The water tank is located in the bow, under the v-berth cushions. It is accessed by removing the cushions, then unscrewing a number of carpeted plywood panels.
  • The tank has 3 fittings: 2 forward at the centerline for the fill and air vent. 1 at the port-side aft at the bottom, for the hose connection that goes the water pump. See the diagram attached.
    View attachment 57222
  • The water pump is located in the engine space on the port side, near the forward bulkhead. The line is a home run from the tank to the pump and runs down the port side under the cabinets and sink area, through the under-cockpit storage, through the firewall, and to the pump. There are no other distribution lines forward of the sink and head.
With that out of the way, some thoughts on possible sources of the leak and some things to rule out.
  • AC: with the AC being under the cockpit, that's not it.
  • When the water pump is activated the water distribution lines are pressurized. Water is pulled from the tank when a faucet is opened. The closest water line is for the galley sink, and that's not actually close. With no water lines in area of the leak, I would rule out the water pump being on as related. I think it's a coincidence.
  • Head: Turning on the head turns on the vacuflush system, not the water. You can still fill the bowl with water if the head is turned off. With all of the head components aft of the leak, I would rule this out as a source. I think it's a coincidence as well. I just don't see any interconnection of the head and this leak.
This points me to something on the tank itself.
  • I see only 3 points of failure here: The supply hose connection, the drain connection, and a crack in the tank.
  • The leak is observed when the boat has been running. When running, the bow points up and the water would drain back.
  • A leak in the aft drain connection. Perhaps this is a slow leak and that pools in under the v-berth. When running, the water runs back and wets the step. But, I think you would see more evidence of a continuous leak if this were the case.
  • A leak at the supply connections. Similar to the drain connection, perhaps there is a leak that drains back when the bow rises when running.
  • Cracked tank. When running, the water in the tank will slosh back against the aft wall and the top of the tank. If there were a crack in the top or upper part of the aft wall of the tank, it may not evident when the boat is at rest because the water wouldn't contact those points.
A last possibility that was mentioned is the anchor locker. If the 2 drains in the locker are clogged that space could fill with water. When underway the water could move against the back wall and perhaps drain under the v-berth as you are seeing. You asked about raw water pickups: the only ones would be in the engine space for the engine, AC, and genny (if equipped). There are 2 clamshell scoops that face aft and cover the anchor drains. It's possible (but unlikely) one is missing and you're getting water splash into the drain holes.

Based on the description of the leak and owning the same model, I would check for 1) a clogged anchor locker drain and water in there - because it's super easy to check; 2) a crack in the tank; 3) loose connections on the fill and drain lines (no preference in order). One way to check might be to tracer dye to the tank and see where it comes out.
Update: Well after filling the tank, running the boat on plane, running all the faucets, head system, dousing the boat from above etc....they CAN'T MAKE IT LEAK! Marina has confirmed all fittings, hoses etc..are intact, and the tank itself isn't leaking....I'm going to use the boat this weekend, head system, etc...to see if I can get it to leak and take apart the bow are myself to see if I can see where the water would be coming from. VERY FRUSTRATING.
 
Water leaks can be a total pain to track down.

Did you check the anchor locker?
 
It sounds like you and the marina have gone over the fresh water system ad nauseam, so it might not be the source of your leak at all. Have you looked at where the deck joins the hull under the rub rail up-front? If your boat's serial number starts with SERR, it may not have been sealed up properly when they put the boat together. Quite a few of us have had to fix that. As you drive the boat, spray might be coming up under the rail and into the boat. With the tank empty, there's a lot less weight up there so it might temporarily alleviate the problem. If conditions are calm when you are driving your boat, there might be less spray getting up that high as well. I'm not sure what the sea conditions were when the marina tested it last, but if conditions were calm there may not have been many waves causing less spray to get up that high. It's pretty easy to look for this, just look along the bottom of the rub rail on each side and see if it is within 1/8" or less of touching the hull. If the gap is 1/8" or more, you should probably remove that section of rub rail and take a look. I would look at each side from the back of the anchor locker to just forward of the 1st port light on each side. On my boat, the lower section of carpet just behind that raised platform was getting wet, but the majority of separation of my hull to deck joint was behind the port lights. Yours might be leaking forward of them.
 
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It sounds like you and the marina have gone over the fresh water system ad nauseam, so it might not be the source of your leak at all. Have you looked at where the deck joins the hull under the rub rail up-front? If your boat's serial number starts with SERR, it may not have been sealed up properly when they put the boat together. Quite a few of us have had to fix that. As you drive the boat, spray might be coming up under the rail and into the boat. With the tank empty, there's a lot less weight up there so it might temporarily alleviate the problem. If conditions are calm when you are driving your boat, there might be less spray getting up that high as well. I'm not sure what the sea conditions were when the marina tested it last, but if conditions were calm there may not have been many waves causing less spray to get up that high. It's pretty easy to look for this, just look along the bottom of the rub rail on each side and see if it is within 1/8" or less of touching the hull. If the gap is 1/8" or more, you should probably remove that section of rub rail and take a look. I would look at each side from the back of the anchor locker to just forward of the 1st port light on each side. On my boat, the lower section of carpet just behind that raised platform was getting wet, but the majority of separation of my hull to deck joint was behind the port lights. Yours might be leaking forward of them.
Thank you for the reply!
I will check that out, however I've noticed it after taking it out and only going no wake speed.. so no spray. I will triple check the anchor locker as b_Arrington has mentioned, since the wet area is the raised platform.
 

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