Leaking boat and what the heck are these holes!!

[mariosizzle_]

I've had my new to me bass boat out a couple times now and noticed quite a bit of water in bilge area after some time on water. I can't figure it out.

I've got five holes on back of boat and I understand the drain plug, two livewell intakes (screen covered) and two more I don't quite understand the need for.

I have a factory switch on boat manual not electronic and it says procraft live well. It says empty and fill. Im not sure if the even work because boat has been upgraded and on the panel there is a aeration switch which activates a pump and fills water into the two live wells. After some time the livewell will empty and I have to fill them back up.

So, I guess my question is what are the holes on the back and why would a live well empty on its own?

Thanks !!

[Princeton_Man]

Those are your livewell drains. Water in the bilge could be from a leaking livewell line. I had that problem not long ago. I finally got around to tightening the right clamp and the problem was solved.

Do your bilge pumps work? Livewell pumps work? If there was any water left in a pump or line during freezing weather, a pump could be cracked. It's important to verify that all of them work and don't leak.

Is there anything attached to the hull with screws? Transducers, speedometer pick-up, etc.? They will leak if not sealed properly. 3M 5200 sealant is best. Regular RTV/silicone is not intended for long term underwater use and could loose sealing properties after time.

The gelcoat/hull right around your drain plug looks a little questionable. Have you checked to see that those two screws are snug and the area around the plug is not at all soft?

Is there any chance the water in the bilge is a result of back wash from shutting down from a run?

If you can get good visual access to the bilge area while in the water, you may have to set there and watch with a flash light for a while to get an idea where it's coming from. While I'm not a big fan of doing this on glass boats, setting in your driveway with the plug installed, you could fill the bilge are with water and watch for leaks.

Those are my thoughts and suggestions. -Jim

[mariosizzle_]

Hey Jim!!! Awesome awesome reply . I'll take a look at the silicon and replace it just to be safe! I do have a transducer screwed on and maybe I'll fix that too with the sealant you mentioned.

I asked the guy when I bought it if it leaks but he said it didn't take on water. Clearly he didn't know

[mariosizzle_]

So, this evening I cracked a cold Bud and did a couple things to find the leak. I'll have to do this more thoroughly when I have more time. My driveway is on a slight incline so the front of the boat is hard to keep high enough to fill it up with water.

So basically what I did was put the plug in and put a few gallons of water in the boat. Went to the front and held her up for a couple minutes. Went to the back and noticed the livewell drain plug to the left of main drain has a little leak. Live well intakes were dry, main plug and livewell drain to the right of main drain.

I also looked more into my livewell compartment and noticed a drain on bottom and a hose up top (filler pipe).

I would happily fix any hoses that need more crimping and cracked, however, how on earth am I suppose to get all the way to the bottom and fix something I can't see? By feel?

Sorry if these seem like Noob Q's but first time with a boat that has all these features and a floor etc.... I'm coming from Tin boats with 9.9's on them ha ha.

Even if I put a plug in livewell water will still get in the intake/drain system right? I'd have to plug intakes and drains I'm assuming.

To be honest I don't plan on doing tournaments for a couple years and keeping a fish as a pet in the livewell for fun seems unnecessary to my right now LOL

[Bigwrench]

On mine you had to remove the on board charger from the rear compartment to gain access to everything plumbing related. I'm not sure how yours is laid out but maybe this thread will give you some ideas .
http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=123259
I had water coming in and finally took the time to figure out where it was getting in at.

[Princeton_Man]

So basically what I did was put the plug in and put a few gallons of water in the boat. Went to the front and held her up for a couple minutes. Went to the back and noticed the livewell drain plug to the left of main drain has a little leak. Live well intakes were dry, main plug and livewell drain to the right of main drain.

Sorry if these seem like Noob Q's but first time with a boat that has all these features and a floor etc.... I'm coming from Tin boats with 9.9's on them ha ha.

Before you added water and started this test, did you raise the bow? If not, the water you saw from the livewell drain plug could have been setting in the line.

Like you suggested, you could close your fill valves but it the leak is a line or pump, you'll still have water entering from the drain ports. You could plug those as well I guess.

No need to apologize for asking questions. We all do it, it's how we learn from one another. Because my leak was so small, I put off looking and fixing for a long time. Didn't bother to look for it until I installed a remote drain plug this past May. All mine turned out to be was a loose clamp.

[mariosizzle_]

Well, I found two more holes LOL. These are truly a mystery. They are on each side of boat near the livewells. And I can't see the plumbing because they are under the floor under the passenger and driver seat and there is a wall there to support back deck.

I reached down and could feel the hoses at the back (4) In total. 2 intake and 2 drain. So I have 8. 2 intake, 2 drain, main drain, bilge drain and two mystery ones!!!

[Princeton_Man]

Are those your bilge pump ports?

[mariosizzle_]

If they are they are under the water line. Water comes out top side for bilge from what I've seen pumping out water

[Mike Cork]

On a pro craft those are usually live well pump out holes. Since your live well electrical panel has been switched they may not be hooked up.

[mariosizzle_]

Let's hope they were plugged! Ha ha

[Mike Cork]

If you don't have holes on the top cap of the boat on the rear, they could be bilge pump outs as well. TO be honest I don't really remember, but I know they are common on a pro craft.

[mariosizzle_]

Well, took it out today and she was dry as a bone. LOL. I did nothing different and even filled up livewells. Those drained out in about 20 minutes but I'm guessing it's cause I need a plug . So I'll get two plugs and should be good to go!!!

I'm a happy camper. Don't know what happened but I'm glad there is no water in boat!

I also dragged my neighbour with me to help me move bunks forward and post forward. She tows like a dream now!!! Moved it 13" forward and what a difference ha ha. Only thing that sucks is I tried to lift the tongue and she's pretty darn heavy. Had only 80 pounds tongue weight on a 2600 pound package so it was WAY light. Now if I had to guess I'd says she's around 180-200 which is still not the 10% but it'll have to do .

Productive day and we caught a few bass and walleye

[Princeton_Man]

Well, took it out today and she was dry as a bone. LOL. I did nothing different and even filled up livewells. Those drained out in about 20 minutes but I'm guessing it's cause I need a plug . So I'll get two plugs and should be good to go!!!

I'm a happy camper. Don't know what happened but I'm glad there is no water in boat!

I also dragged my neighbour with me to help me move bunks forward and post forward. She tows like a dream now!!! Moved it 13" forward and what a difference ha ha. Only thing that sucks is I tried to lift the tongue and she's pretty darn heavy. Had only 80 pounds tongue weight on a 2600 pound package so it was WAY light. Now if I had to guess I'd says she's around 180-200 which is still not the 10% but it'll have to do .

Productive day and we caught a few bass and walleye

That's awesome Mario but, mine would do that as well. As I mentioned, mine was just a line clamp. Some days , the bilge pumps would never come on, other times they'd come on have a dozen times. If you're sittin' in the water and livewells won't stay filled, they may be pumping out. I wouldn't think you'd need plugs for them to hold water. -Jim