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Water stuck in the bow |
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TG3 
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Joined: May-29-2020 Location: Tyler, Texas Status: Offline Points: 106 |
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 Topic: Water stuck in the bowPosted: August-09-2021 at 9:28am |
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I never can get all the water out of my bow. When it is sitting on the trailer, the shape of the bow, from about the tracking fins forward, dips down to a point lower than the drain plug. This means that whatever water moves to that area can't get out the drain plug.
I have tried placing a big block under my trailer jack and raising it all the way up, high enough that the front wheels on the trailer are off the ground, and I can't ever get it high enough to drain. All my bilges are working correctly, and when I pull the boat out of the water there is very little water in the bilge to drain. There is a slight hill coming out of the marina driveway, so I will pause there and that gets the bow up enough to get a little more out, but not all. Is this just how it is or is there a trick to getting that water out of there? |
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1997 Air/Sport Nautique
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frydaddy
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Joined: August-26-2004 Location: Fairview, Texas Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Posted: August-09-2021 at 2:28pm |
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I have a 66 Barracuda and noticed the same problem this year. In my case there is extra fiberglass where the ski pull mounts to the hull. It is like a dam. I thought about adding another drain, but don't what to drill another hole into the boat.
I am on standby for some tricks too?
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Frydaddy
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KENO
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Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11155 |
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Posted: August-09-2021 at 2:57pm |
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I could be all wet here
 but it seems like if you can see the water, you should be able to use a wet vac with maybe a homegrown hose attachment and suck it all out.
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TG3
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Joined: May-29-2020 Location: Tyler, Texas Status: Offline Points: 106 |
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Posted: August-09-2021 at 6:09pm |
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Ken, I can't see it, I just know its there because it will slosh out of the little drain in the very front of the bow when I brake on my way to the lake. Also when I jacked the tongue way up in the air a little came out and when out the drain plug.....
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1997 Air/Sport Nautique
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63 Skier
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Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4269 |
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Posted: August-09-2021 at 7:22pm |
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I've had the same issue, usually only from being in the rain uncovered on the trailer. Stopping for a bit on a hill and waiting for the bilge pumps to activate helps, otherwise the water just stays until my next launch. Once on the water it clears out quickly.
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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KENO
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Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11155 |
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Posted: August-10-2021 at 6:50am |
Here's a picture of a 97 sport open bow from the internet. I guess if yours is like that, I'd pull the cushions and find a spot for a small hole to be drilled above the deepest part of the V where the water collects, so I could suck out the water.........or take 63 Skiers approach but it sounds like you want to get it out of there. I'd figure you could put a removable plug in the hole or just leave it open for more drainage from up front.
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TG3
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Joined: May-29-2020 Location: Tyler, Texas Status: Offline Points: 106 |
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Posted: August-10-2021 at 8:41am |
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Thats exactly what my bow looks like, even down to the color scheme.
I think I will try waiting longer on the hill in the marina parking lot to see if I can get all out of there.
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1997 Air/Sport Nautique
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63 Skier
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Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4269 |
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Posted: August-10-2021 at 10:44am |
Ken, my '98 was first year for the non-slant-back Sport/Air, but I'm guessing same bow configuration. Below the front 2 bow cushions is a hinged removable filler, with that out its open to the carpeted storage space below. I pull that and lift the observer seat to let it dry out after being on the water. But at the bottom right at the bow there is a metal drain so there has to be a chamber below where the water collects.
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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Gary S
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Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Posted: August-10-2021 at 1:51pm |
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My SS is the same as Dave's - cannot get into that area under the floor
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JD ski
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Joined: September-25-2016 Location: North of Tahoe Status: Offline Points: 199 |
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Posted: August-10-2021 at 4:12pm |
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Mine is a SS/Air Natique 99 the cushions are slightly different. I never noticed the problem you speak of until not taking my boat cover to the lake camping. Then the Dixie fire in California 2021 started, smoke and ash for a few days and I thought the fire crews may get a handle on things so I stayed a few days in the smoke. As I realized the fire was getting worse I pulled the boat out of the water and it was full of ash and soot.Then pulled the Airstream trailer home also. Once home after vacuuming out the boat I washed it including removing the cushions and spraying lots of water. I had the bow jacked way up letting what I thought was all of the water drain out. I was going to let the boat sit out in the sun for a day or two to dry out with cushions removed and then the ash from the fire reached my home. So the boat went in the garage. About five days later I went to install the cushions and I smelt a mold smell, my ski locker had a small amount of water still in it and the very front compartment/battery compartment still had wet carpet. So you are not the only one with this issue it is a design issue. My boat is still in the garage as I still have ash falling. I live in the mountains so no matter which direction I am towing I have large mountains to climb so on the occasion the bow gets water in it, it usually drains out out of the bow prior to getting home and has never shown up prior. I always pull the bow cushions when I get home, place the battery on a trickle charger, and open all compartments and hang up wet vests and such. On mine you may be able to vacuum out a little water from the carper around the drain but it would be very little. The water on mine drained to the ski locker as that is the low point when sitting level. At that point I could vacuum or sponge it out. I think in most cases the sun would be your best friend with cushions removed and compartments open but that is not always an option.
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JD ski, slicing, dicing, and shredding since 1981
1999 Air Nautique, GT40 Pro Boss, Trail Rite trailer 1975 Century Resorter |
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KENO
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Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11155 |
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Posted: August-10-2021 at 4:14pm |
So, what am I missing here? You pick a spot, drill a hole, stick a tube down and suck out the water, or get what you can and leave it.. Must be an aversion to holes
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Gary S
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Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Posted: August-10-2021 at 4:41pm |
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Well no sense looking for trouble. Being that there is no access and totally sealed I never have water either. Sounds like it's something to do with the battery area ? Mine is in the back above the floor.
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KENO wrote: