Sea Ray 2008 - 185 Sport - Ski locker questions.

[Akeap]

I purchased a mint condition 185 Sport a few months ago and in the UK we are starting to get some nice weather to get out on the coast and get some wakeboarding done! Yeeeess! I have some questions about the ski locker.

I have carried out a search but didn't find a complete answer so sorry if this seems a repeat.

I have to store the boat with a bow/cockpit seperate covers outdoors so rain seems to get into the ski locker (not loads) but about 2-3 inches on last look. I make sure I winch the jockey wheel to top height after a day out also to make sure any bilge comes out of the plug.

But it seems the ski-locker doesn't seem to drain away although it did have leaves in it, I have tried poking a stick down the one drain plug and this seemed to be slightly better, and also tried a quick blast with the hose to see if this would clear it.

I assume that the whole is really small at the engine bay end? I think it is by the fuel tank so I cannot access it to see the other end...? Is there anything else I should be aware of?


The other question is about fat sac's and if anyone has purchase one for the ski locker, if so what was the brand/model or sizes /weight etc. I find it hard to see any advertised in the UK at the moment that seems ideal.

TIA

 

[Lazy Daze]

The drain hole is the same size on both the ski locker end and the engine side. If it's still not draining well, there must be something still stuck in it. Just keep doing what you are doing and you should get it out - maybe a longer stick. It's normal for water to get into the locker when using the bow/cockpit covers (holes around bimini legs, for example).

With the tongue jack you currently have (and where the boat is stored), when it's cranked up all the way, does it get your bow high enough to allow good drainage?

 

[browneye253]

My ski locker always has some water in it but that's because the drain hole is about an inch off the bottom of the ski locker. I have to get a towel in there if I want it dry. I don't think they thought through the drain placement when they laid it out.

 

[Lazy Daze]

My ski locker always has some water in it but that's because the drain hole is about an inch off the bottom of the ski locker. I have to get a towel in there if I want it dry. I don't think they thought through the drain placement when they laid it out.

Actually, the reason for that (at least as far as I'm aware) is so dirty bilge water doesn't backwash into the ski locker.

 

[Sangster]

The bottom of the ski locker is higher than the bilge, so they could have drilled the locker drain flush with the bottom of the locker and still not have any worry about dirty bilge water backwashing into the locker.

My 185 Sport had the same issue and hitting the drain tube with a hard stream of water cleared it out. But as has been said, to get it completely dry I have to use a towel.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I guess I've never actually measured it, but I thought it was only a fraction of an inch higher? If you had a few gallons of sloppy, dirty water sloshing around in the bilge as the boat bounces around and comes to quick stops, I think the higher the better to keep the bilge water out. I suppose another reason could be structural integrity - if the inner liner was drilled right to the bottom, it probably would not be as strong as it would be by leaving a small portion of the vertical section?

Akeap... If you don't have something long enough to poke through the hole, maybe the actual garden hose would fit. If it does fit in the hole, turn it on and poke it through - just keep working it.

 

[Akeap]

Ah many thanks everyone, just didn't want to be too brutal and cause some damage! But apart from that loving the boat, loads of room and pull out of the hole. Although I have been reading up upgrades to prop and a fin on stern drive etc for bigger wake. Also fat sacs etc (maybe one for the ski locker!).

 

[Lazy Daze]

Nope - can't really be too harsh - it's just a straight tube. Good luck!

 

[browneye253]

Actually, the reason for that (at least as far as I'm aware) is so dirty bilge water doesn't backwash into the ski locker.

It hadn't crossed my mind about the water flowing the other way. The Admiral just always comments on how gross the ski locker gets because the water is in there all the time.

 

[Akeap]

Well I took the end of my hose off and pushed the pipe down the ski locker drain and met a couple of sections of resistance but all is well now, water draining well and quite quickly! Also spent some time moping the bilge area and there always seems to 1/2" of water in there and some dirty coloured water was starting to settle or stain but after a good mop with soapy water seems better.

Thanks for the tips all!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Good deal!

It's pretty normal to get water in the bilge if you're skiing, etc. But other than rain water and water that drips off you, it should really be dry. Keeping a dry, clean bilge is one of the easiest ways to know if a problem is starting to rise.