2005 Nautique 196

I have a slow leak in an area that is hard to access. opened the trunk took out the carpet etc and I seem to have a small leak coming from somewhere around the area where the exhaust goes through the back of the transom. Quite slow, after sitting in the water the bilge pump only runs for 15 seconds or so after 24 hrs.

Any have this problem? Is it an easy fix? Ideas? Thanks.

you might try filling the bilge with water while the boat is on the trailer to see if you can get the leak to "flow" backwards.    This could pinpoint the problem area.

If you have not found the leak yet, here is something to consider. I had a a similar leak in my 2006 216. It turn out that the rubber mat the muffler lays on was cut a little short at the factory. After 8 years of rubbing against the "hump" in the bilge where the shaft goes through the hull a hole wore through the muffler. The tip off for me was a trickle pink antifreeze In the bilge running from under the muffler after winterization. I pulled the muffler, fiberglass patched it, installed a larger piece of rubber padding and now have a dry bilge (I use a small Tupperware bowl under the packing to catch the drips. I'm anal).