Water drain after plug pulled?

Barry H.

Barry H.

New member
After a good day on the water and travel back to the boat ramp(I’m getting better at loading!) just how much water should be coming out
When the plug is pulled? Seems like a lot to me but I’m not sure about this. Bilge pump is at the bottom of the floor where the engine sits and there is the lower part of the boat that I can’t see and seems like that is where the water is accumulating. This is the first inboard boat I have owned. 20’ ssi Chaparral with a merc 305 Chevy base motor.
Thanks Again guys!
 
Barry H. said:
After a good day on the water and travel back to the boat ramp(I’m getting better at loading!) just how much water should be coming out
When the plug is pulled? Seems like a lot to me but I’m not sure about this. Bilge pump is at the bottom of the floor where the engine sits and there is the lower part of the boat that I can’t see and seems like that is where the water is accumulating. This is the first inboard boat I have owned. 20’ ssi Chaparral with a merc 305 Chevy base motor.
Thanks Again guys!
Click to expand...
You should not have to drain any water under normal running conditions. What year is she? How much water is a lot? Time frame on the water, running, not running. I would start with putting her in the water and while just setting there, start your inspection. If you don't see anything then start the engine and continue your inspection.
You need to do an inspection: any hoses that pertain to water, engine water pump, outdrive bellows, and everything below the water line.
 
Thanks for the reply Denny, we’re out for about 10 hrs. Run time about 4 hrs dragging the kids around in a tube or water skiing. This is a 2004 fiberglass boat. When I pull the plug I get a steady stream, how much maybe 5 gallons but really unsure. Ok so not normal. Problem is very little water is sitting where the motor is and like I said there is a cavity under that I think anyway. Can there be water coming in from the outboard unit? What do you think?
 
That is a lot of water. You have an issue somewhere. You need to do what I said earlier. Can you see the drain hole from the inside of the boat, and the bilge pump, and is that area visible? First look that area over sitting still. then run the boat at about 5-6 mph with someone at the back looking at the area. Your girl is 21 years old, depending what kind of care she has had, will determine the age of things.
 
No I can’t s see the drain hole from the engine compartment. I can see the bilge pump it’s just in front of the engine damper. As I said that area get water but not enough for the pump to pick it up and I can hear it run.
Going out on Sunday hope to find something. I’ll take some pictures to.
 
Just a thinking. Boats out of the water and on the trailer. Could I put some water in the boat to see where it leaks out?
That’s just going to tell me there no leaks on the lower part anyway
 
Barry H. said:
Just a thinking. Boats out of the water and on the trailer. Could I put some water in the boat to see where it leaks out?
That’s just going to tell me there no leaks on the lower part anyway
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No you need outside pressure. Can you see where the outdrive ties onto the engine? That whole area should be exposed. Pictures are good.
 
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I just looked at this video. Somehow you need to find a way to see the inside of your transom. Maybe if you remove your breather on top it will allow you to see a little more. They sure did not design this boat to be worked on.
 
Well weather is not cooperating today so water inspection is on hold. I’m going to get out during the week
and get a better look at it.
Thanks Denny
 
Barry H. said:
Well weather is not cooperating today so water inspection is on hold. I’m going to get out during the week
and get a better look at it.
Thanks Denny
Click to expand...
You might try a visual inspection on land. Check the outdrive bellows by moving it up and down and from port to starboard while pushing on it to see if you can see any age cracks. Along with any other boots that are protecting cables, ect.
 
5 gallons?! My boat sits in the water for months and it is dry as a dessert. When I pull the boat out of the water for some reason, I don't even bother pulling the plug. But then, I can see the entire area under my engine if I wanted to look.

I seem to recall [it's been 5+ years] that I had a bellows problem. They were replaced. Another time was water coming in the shift cables. They were replaced. The mechanic forgot to put the drain plug back in, I didn't do a good walk-around inspection and launched without it and took on A LOT of water. Returned to the trailer, put the plug back in and back into the water. Are you putting any thread sealant tape on your drain plug? I do this all the time and it prevents water intrusions. It's been so long since I've had high water I don't know for certain if my pump works. I'll inspect that today.

Good luck.
 
thanks for the reply’s guys, I got to get a good look at it yesterday. From what I can see the boots look good. One thing I did notice is I got some oil on the oil filter. So I hooked up water to the out drive and fired her up. Sure enough the filter seems to be leaking around the gasket/but it’s tight…. Tomorrow I’m going to change the filter and see what happens..As far as the water leaking issue I may have done this my self. I usually put the plug in the boat before I leave for the lake and noticed a lot of water in the boat in areas I could not see unless you tuck your head in some areas so that may be where some of the water is coming from (from it raining and we have had some storms lately with Torrential downpours).. Hope to get back out in the water tomorrow after I deal with the oil leak.. Stay Tuned
 
My engine compartment vents are terrible when it comes to rain. The vents are tilted inwards so when it rains it flows into the engine compartment. I made a cheapskate vent cover for each vent out of plastic pool cover and Gorilla tape and then put holes in them and fit them over each snap. The canvas boat cover is then sitting on top of the vent cover and water drains into the lake....not my boat.
 
Easy way to check that, is to pull the plug while you are still at home. Make sure that there is no water coming out. Remember to put the plug back in. After your day on the water pull the plug, and you will have your answer.
 
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