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Half-Full Bilge Q

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=51757
Printed Date: March-01-2025 at 2:57am


Topic: Half-Full Bilge Q
Posted By: JHadji
Subject: Half-Full Bilge Q
Date Posted: September-03-2024 at 3:14pm
I have a question for the gallery of experts.  I took my father-in-law for a tour of Pittsburgh from the water over the wknd.  No skiing, tubing, footing or anything, just a cruise.  

When I pulled her out, the bilge was kinda full.  Yet, I see no leaks when I run her stationary in the driveway.  

Qs:  Does water infiltrate through cracks and microcracks in the hull?  What's normal at the shaft seals for the rudder and prop?  Does this change if just floating vs. under power?  

We're usually in and out w dripping lifejackets, skis, w-boards and tubes, so I never gave it a thought.  This was surprising.  

I'm curious to others' experience.  Thanks for any ideas!  


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1988SkiNautique2001


Replies:
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: September-03-2024 at 6:04pm
I would first check the shaft log seal to see if it is dry or pouring water.  Boat has to be in the water to inspect it.  Normal would be something like 6-10 drips of water per minute with it idling in gear.   Put it in neutral and you should have zero drips per minute.   IF your hull goes into the water dry and on inspection you see water running down from the stern into the bilge the leak is back there.  Maybe the rudder seal but you have to look and see to find these things but I think these would be the first places to check.
Second thought, look at every hose in the cooling system and make sure they are not leaking while you operate.  Check from the inlet at the bottom of the boat to the filter, tranny cooler on to the engine.
With a simple cruise like you did the boat should be dry or very minimal water inside.  ( maybe a cupful  or less )

Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: September-03-2024 at 6:56pm
McD is on target.  Water intrusion spots:

Drive Shaft Seal
Rudder Shaft Seal
Raw Water Pump Leak
Water Circulation Pump Leak
Hose / Connections Leak
Mufler Leak
If you have a shower and/or heater, these hoses can leak.  I had a leak in the hot water hose for the shower and it was surprising how much water was pumping into the bilge.

JQ


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Current
2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited

Previous
2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow
1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow

Aqua skiing, ergo sum

Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: September-04-2024 at 5:44am
Add Bow eyelet to the mix. If you did a lot of fast idling and the bow eye isn't sealed up properly, you'll get water intrusion there. I had lifejackets and beach bags with towels in them soaked and couldn't figure out why. I finally crawled in the bow while my wife was driving at idle speed and water was trickling in pretty heavy at idle. Pulled the bow eye out, reinstalled gooped up with sealant and tightened it back up. Leak check OK. Fixed the issue.

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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"


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