Taking on Water!!

S

Steven B Dannemiller

New Member
Jul 7, 2023
13
Boat Info
spx 190
Engines
merc 150
Just bought a 2020 OUTBOARD SPX190 with MERC 150. First time I took it out and pulled the drain plug, it seemed to drain for a solid minute. Seemed like a lot of water. We were floating/swimming all day but it seemed to be a bit much for what we probably brought into the boat with us.
Today as I motored around (before floating/swimming getting the boat wet), I would intermittently flip on the bilge pump. Probably 6 times over 2 hours of motoring around. Each time it probably pumped out about a gallon.

When I first looked at the boat, it was stored at a high n dry on the top rack. The hull is black and I could see white "skid marks" under the stern likely from the forklift a the marina. I never got a chance to look closely at it before I bought it. Now, the bunks hide the suspect area when it sits on the trailer.

Is that amount of water normal or do I have a hole in the hull from the forklift? Is there a good way/spot to jack the boat on the trailer to inspect it?
Thanks
NN
 
You don’t have a breach of the hull. You’ll need to put the boat in the water, start it and look for leaks. Watch any intakes, hoses and the transom.
 
My boat can sit a week in slip, no water. I can lope at 6 knots, the speed limit on our river on weekends, all day and not a drop. Run on plane an hour, pumps about a gallon.
Dont care. no big deal. If I had someone who could drive it while I was in engine space, or vice versa, I might investigate. Will mention it to mechanic when he winterizes.
I'd be a LOT more concerned if it was taking on water while sitting in slip not running. Thats when they sink.
 
Is that inboard or out board
 
I highly doubt there's any hull damage - but look down in the bilge (remove panels if need be) while it's in the water. It will be easy to figure out since you have an outboard. The other possibility is a loose garboard drain plug or flange - again, will be easy to figure out. Start by observing while you're at anchor and not moving... or just back it into the water while still on the trailer.
 
[QUOTE="sits on the trailer.

Is that amount of water normal or do I have a hole in the hull from the forklift? Is there a good way/spot to jack the boat on the trailer to inspect it?
Thanks
NN[/QUOTE]
Did you tighten the plug with a wrench?
 
Yes you tighten with a wrench. Get it into shallow water next time out and get under it for a look/see.
 
I always leave my plug out until I back down the ramp, any water that comes out before or after use I taste to see if it's salt or fresh . Then you know rain vs salt
 
Since O/B, There are a few places water can come in. Water inlet / sea cock for something like Air Conditioning cooling water or a live / bait well

Or possibly the shoebox seam, the seam between the actual hull and the top portion of the boat (where the rub rail goes around the hull) is a common spot.

The list goes on and on, so you have to do your part and find the source so that others may offer suggestion(s) on how to proceed.
 
That is too much water being shipped. Your boat is practically new. Something is wrong and an experienced marine mechanic should be able to point out the user error. I don't know which winterizing system you have but a loose valve or petcock there could be the culprit. You might examine the hoses and sides of the engine while it is running with a strong flashlight.
 
Arminius said:
That is too much water being shipped. Your boat is practically new. Something is wrong and an experienced marine mechanic should be able to point out the user error. I don't know which winterizing system you have but a loose valve or petcock there could be the culprit. You might examine the hoses and sides of the engine while it is running with a strong flashlight.
Click to expand...
I like it when you start your own threads. Did you try to clean the gas you dump overboard the way I mentioned in the other thread? What is your deal?
 
Althepal78 said:
[QUOTE="sits on the trailer.

Is that amount of water normal or do I have a hole in the hull from the forklift? Is there a good way/spot to jack the boat on the trailer to inspect it?
Thanks
NN
Click to expand...
Did you tighten the plug with a wrench?[/QUOTE]
affirmative
 
Arminius said:
That is too much water being shipped. Your boat is practically new. Something is wrong and an experienced marine mechanic should be able to point out the user error. I don't know which winterizing system you have but a loose valve or petcock there could be the culprit. You might examine the hoses and sides of the engine while it is running with a strong flashlight.
Click to expand...
Florida boat....we don't experience winter...lol
 
You have 3 "openings" in the hull. The transom drain plug, the transducer and the "cap" in the splash well just forward of the engine.

Tilt the boat after using it and be sure the water has drained. Then, securely tighten the transom drain.

Remove the splash well cap, be sure the o-ring is in place and then carefully screw it in tight.

Next time out, avoid swimming, and if you do be sure to lay down towels so no water goes into the bilge.

Then check. If you have water your transducer needs to be sealed with 5200.

My guess is that your guest are sloppy and drip water all over the boat. My 190 SPX is 100% water tight and we keep towels on the floor.
 
Roger that. My money is on the splash well cap. I thought that earlier, but its on beyond finger tight, so I never really looked at it further. If not that, idk.
thanks for the input
 
Steven B Dannemiller said:
Roger that. My money is on the splash well cap. I thought that earlier, but its on beyond finger tight, so I never really looked at it further. If not that, idk.
thanks for the input
Click to expand...
Take it out and put it in finger tight. If that is the issue you may be deforming it.
 
Is it in salt water or freshwater did you taste what comes out of
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,193
Messages
1,428,278
Members
61,104
Latest member
Three Amigos
Back
Top