Drain Plug/Water in boat
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=48973
Printed Date: March-05-2025 at 1:05pm
Topic: Drain Plug/Water in boat
Posted By: LongLakeWI
Subject: Drain Plug/Water in boat
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 4:18pm
|
I've got a 82 SN that I've owned for 4 years and it's been a great boat for something that's coming up on 40 years old. As you would expect after several days on the lake people in and out of the boat swimming/skiing you'd expect some water near the drain plug. Recently I'm ending up with 1/2 to 1 gallon of water on the floor by the drain plug. I cleaned the threads on the base and bought a new brass T grip plug with no change in the result. I then thought maybe I was getting water leaking from an intake hose and ran the boat down the lake with the dog house open and didn't see anything? Any thoughts? Do I need to replace the plug base from underneath the boat? Should I apply some 3M 5200 sealant on the bottom? Thank you in advance for your help! -Mike |
Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 4:48pm
|
Mike, Have you checked the prop shaft and rudder packing for excessive water? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 5:01pm
|
A gallon of water in the bulge after several days is hardly excessive, IMO. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: LongLakeWI
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 5:38pm
| Jonny Q - I agree a gallon after several days out isn't excessive. What I meant to say is I am getting that much water in after an hour out on the lake,without anyone getting in our our of the boat. It seems to be more water in after being underway towing vs lowering off the lift and letting it sit in the water. and float. Also I do have a dripless shaft system which seems to be doing its job. I appreciate the ideas everyone keep em coming there is SO much collective knowledge on these boats from this site I know someone out there has had the same issue before. |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 5:41pm
| Our guesses are as good as yours. If you look hard enough you’ll find the leak. |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 5:48pm
| ^^what HW said. The drain plug/fitting would not be suspect #1 when it comes to a leak. Packing glands and hoses/clamps are much higher likely candidates. Suggest giving the bilge a good cleaning and then get it as dry as possible. That’ll improve your chances of spotting the offending fitting or connection. |
Posted By: Duane in Indy
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 6:17pm
|
Mine leaked under the rub rail. Like HW ------------- Keep it as original as YOU want it 1978 Mustang (modified) |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 7:01pm
|
Your prop shaft isn’t the only through-hull shaft. Your rudder shaft can also be the source of water leaking past the packing. This is the voice of experience..... Next time you put the boat in the water, have the motor box and rear seat removed. Then when the boat first hits the water use a flashlight and look down around the rudder packing gland area. With a dry bilge you should be able to see the water migrating. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: LongLakeWI
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 7:09pm
| THANKS JQ! that makes a lot of sense to me..There wasn't noticeable water from cooling system, hoses while running, drain plug area while floating with dry bilge, or prop shaft. So if I detect water near rudder is the solution to repack the rudder? That sounds like something out of my ability, how involved is it? Guessing I should take it in... |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 7:17pm
|
Rudder shaft packing is not too difficult. Since the shaft doesn’t constantly spin like a prop shaft, you simply tighten the gland nut until the leaking stops. Worst case, you pull the packing and replace. Try the gland nut tightening first. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: Jordanh
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 7:33pm
|
Anyone have tricks to clean the bilge? I usually dump dawn dish soap in there and pull the plug to let some water in. (Lightly suspended in my lift of course). Then let it slosh around in the bilge for a few hours. This has given me mediocre results. I may just have to get a brush with a long handle to get under the engine etc from under the aft floor panel. ------------- 95 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: Mpost
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 7:54pm
I cleaned my 98 SN with a lot of cloth rags and a good spry degreaser. I used Totally Awesome Orange (dollar store). I could not find a tool that could get everywhere my fingers could. My old 84 2001 had a lot more room under and around the engine  Keep the bilge gunk off the carpet!  Don't forget Speedo tubes leaking can put water in the boat also ------------- 84 SN Sold 98 SN Lund Pro V 1975 Alumacraft |
Posted By: LongLakeWI
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 8:16pm
| I will check the speedo tube as well. In fact the previous owner took the original air speedo tubes out and replaced it with GPS speedo. The former holes I assume are filled from the inside with epoxy or something there is some sort of black adhesive covering the holes from the outside of the hull all of which is obviously below the water line. Anything you would recommend using from the inside on those holes if in fact there is leakage from there? |
Posted By: Jordanh
Date Posted: June-29-2020 at 11:17pm
|
I need to lap my prop shaft this weekend so when I'm in the water behind my lift I'll take a picture of the small block off plates I made to cover the original pitot tube holes when I installed my perfect pass. Have not had any issues with them leaking. ------------- 95 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: June-30-2020 at 1:05am
|
Another way to double check for leaks is to put water in the bilge with the boat on the trailer, and dry. Not a ton of water, but enough to slosh around and see what happens. Someone might say I'm nuts to suggest this, and I'm comfortable with that! ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: June-30-2020 at 1:34am
OK...you're nutz. Not a bad idea, though. If you fill the bilge with water and the boat is level, you should be able to see if it's coming out the rudder shaft or other. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
63 Skier wrote:Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: June-30-2020 at 1:46am
|
I've done it before ..... in a jet boat, not inboard. Good way to see if the water intake is properly sealed. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |