Boating Question
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Boating Question
New I/O owner. Put the boat at the dock tonight and was wondering if it is normal for an I/O to have a little water in the back of the boat when they are left in the water? The first owner had it in all season he said and said that it had an auto bilge. It was in the water when I picked it up at the time of sale and looked all green as if it had been in for some time. Is this water normal?
Thanks,
RC
Thanks,
RC
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Oregon
Well, if it has been in the water for some time, a little water, 3 or 4 cupfuls may be normal.
Is the hull fiberglass? If you have the boat out of the water, take a soft rubber mallet and walk along the hull and tap gently, listen for a sharp clear thump - that tells you there is no water in the fiberglass. Especially around the transom area. If you hear a dull thump sound - you got problems and it is delaminating. Hope that is not the case. Look for any areas where fiberglass has been patched.
Not that it will help you specifically now, since you already made the purchase, but for those out there who are looking at buying a used boat, it is worth the time/money to have a professional survey done on the hull before you sign on the dotted line and drop lots of money. The item mentioned above is one of the things that they check thoroughly. Nothing worse then buying a boat and then finding out it will cost thousands to repair - if it can be repaired.
Is the hull fiberglass? If you have the boat out of the water, take a soft rubber mallet and walk along the hull and tap gently, listen for a sharp clear thump - that tells you there is no water in the fiberglass. Especially around the transom area. If you hear a dull thump sound - you got problems and it is delaminating. Hope that is not the case. Look for any areas where fiberglass has been patched.
Not that it will help you specifically now, since you already made the purchase, but for those out there who are looking at buying a used boat, it is worth the time/money to have a professional survey done on the hull before you sign on the dotted line and drop lots of money. The item mentioned above is one of the things that they check thoroughly. Nothing worse then buying a boat and then finding out it will cost thousands to repair - if it can be repaired.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
It's gonna have a little water. The auto bilge doesn't kick on until it has a certain level of water in there to turn it on. When I used to leave to leave my I/O in all summer long, it would have a little water in the bottom each weekend. A little water is gonna leak by the plug. If you have depth finders sticking trough the transom some water will get in there. Also, some water will get by the seal for the lower unit.
It's pretty normal. Touch all those areas with some silicon or other sealant and it will be fine. But yes, a little water is normal.
It's pretty normal. Touch all those areas with some silicon or other sealant and it will be fine. But yes, a little water is normal.
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Originally Posted by BFR250SD
It's gonna have a little water. The auto bilge doesn't kick on until it has a certain level of water in there to turn it on. When I used to leave to leave my I/O in all summer long, it would have a little water in the bottom each weekend. A little water is gonna leak by the plug. If you have depth finders sticking trough the transom some water will get in there. Also, some water will get by the seal for the lower unit.
It's pretty normal. Touch all those areas with some silicon or other sealant and it will be fine. But yes, a little water is normal.
It's pretty normal. Touch all those areas with some silicon or other sealant and it will be fine. But yes, a little water is normal.
So you feel like I have nothin to worry about?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
Nothin to worry about.
Mine had the ladder, the lower unit, depth finder, speedometer, etc. All these little holes in the transom are gonna leak slightly. No big deal. A little silicon at these little points will take care of most of this.
Most of the time, if it's les than an 1" of water the pump won't even pick it up until you apply power and start to bring the boat on plane.
I'm gonna go up to the chat area. Come on in if you need some more help.
Mine had the ladder, the lower unit, depth finder, speedometer, etc. All these little holes in the transom are gonna leak slightly. No big deal. A little silicon at these little points will take care of most of this.
Most of the time, if it's les than an 1" of water the pump won't even pick it up until you apply power and start to bring the boat on plane.
I'm gonna go up to the chat area. Come on in if you need some more help.
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And one more thing; don't forget your PFD's.
You wouldn't believe how many boaters I've seen not having enough of them (one person passenger), but not even wearing them.
You can't put one on when you're unconscious.
You ever find and fix the problem?
You wouldn't believe how many boaters I've seen not having enough of them (one person passenger), but not even wearing them.
You can't put one on when you're unconscious.
You ever find and fix the problem?
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Originally Posted by sierraben
And one more thing; don't forget your PFD's.
You wouldn't believe how many boaters I've seen not having enough of them (one person passenger), but not even wearing them.
You can't put one on when you're unconscious.
You ever find and fix the problem?
You wouldn't believe how many boaters I've seen not having enough of them (one person passenger), but not even wearing them.
You can't put one on when you're unconscious.
You ever find and fix the problem?
As to the problem....I have not simply because I am at work and have not had time yet to check it out. However After it sat all night long and when I checked it this morning, it was sitting at the exact same water level as it was last evening....BUT I didn't take the time to uncover it on the way to work this morning to hit the switch.....SO...that is on tap for this evening. I will report back later tonight.
Thanks though for all the replies everyone!!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
Like I was saying earlier, the bilge usually won't get that last little bit of water in there until you start applying power or just pull the plug going up the boat ramp and it all comes out. I usually leave the plug out when it's out of the water and I leave the nose gear on the trailer cranked all the way up to allow draining.
Just don't forget to put the plug BACK IN when you put it in the water. Not that I would know
, but Lake Champlain on Memorial Day Weekend is friggin cold.
Just don't forget to put the plug BACK IN when you put it in the water. Not that I would know
, but Lake Champlain on Memorial Day Weekend is friggin cold.
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UPDATE: From last night about 11:30 to today at about 5:30 when i went to the boat, the bilge ran for about the same time maybe around 5 to 6 at the absolute most just spitting a bit of water here and their.....so that seems to be the way things are gonna be.....but that I can live with for 2 weeks until she gets ready for winter.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: St. Petersburg, FL
A little water is normal, no problems. A few seconds of pumping is fine. Sometimes it can just be dew and condensation running down the deck and into the deckdrains, which of course ends up in the bilge.
One important note on I/O's however, carefully and regularly inspect the bellows and boots around the drive shaft, ****er cable, and steering linkages. They're little rubber boots similar to those on cv joints, which are your only lifeline from keeping water out.
One important note on I/O's however, carefully and regularly inspect the bellows and boots around the drive shaft, ****er cable, and steering linkages. They're little rubber boots similar to those on cv joints, which are your only lifeline from keeping water out.