Help...! Boat is filling with water.

PJack · 03-12-08, 12:08 AM

I just bought a 1999 Pro Bass Tracker with aluminum hull and a 90 hp Merc. I cleaned it up, took it to the lake for a spin (yes I had the plug in). After about an hour on the water I opened the rear hatch to just make sure everything was ok and water was half way up the batteries. So I quickly found the bilge pump and turned it on. It took most the water out and I spent another 5 hours on the lake.

This weekend I took it out on the lake again (plug is tight) and I flipped on the bilge pump first thing. In about an hour it was filled up and water was soaking beginning to soak the carpet. The bilge pump is still on and pumping water but it didn't seem to be keeping up.

Brought it home crawled under it to check the hull and I can't find any thing wrong. The only thing I can find wrong is the livewell pump was removed and I haven't bought a replacement yet.

Could the lack of a livewell pump be causing this problem? Any suggestions how to trouble shoot this problem. Thank you for your expert opinions.

Sinking!

Fish2win · 03-12-08, 03:35 PM

Yes. In fact it is most likely where the problem is. Check all connections on the plubming. It might only bea drip but it builds up.s

WTL · 03-12-08, 03:49 PM

My guess would be that you have a leak.

howghunter · 03-12-08, 05:07 PM

try setting it were you can tell then fill it up with water and see if you can tell were its leaking from.

boater · 03-12-08, 07:12 PM

If the livewell pump has plumbing to the transomto fill and the pump is out of it then this source will have to be plugged too?

PJack · 03-12-08, 10:26 PM

The stern has two holes for the live well, One in the intake the other is the outflow. I'm going to plug both of those holes up take it to the lake and see if it fills up with water again. If it does.....then it must be a breach in the hull?

I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Thank you for the advice.

Rebbasser · 03-12-08, 11:19 PM

I'd put it in the water and see if you can see where it is leaking. Most likely it is where there is a fill fitting such as the livewell pump.

PJack · 03-15-08, 09:28 PM

Update.....I plugged both Live well holes (with old wine corks). Took it to the lake today and ran it all over the lake, and the bilge stayed as dry as a bone! Now I can fish without having to worry about sinking!

Captmikestarrett · 03-22-08, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJack

Update.....I plugged both Live well holes (with old wine corks). Took it to the lake today and ran it all over the lake, and the bilge stayed as dry as a bone! Now I can fish without having to worry about sinking!

WARNING!!!!!!

If the corks are white wine corks they will explode.. Unless it was a Riesling or Ice Wine. If it was red wine then you are fine..

Capt Mike x wine somalie

03-12-08, 12:08 AM	#1
PJack BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 8	Help...! Boat is filling with water. I just bought a 1999 Pro Bass Tracker with aluminum hull and a 90 hp Merc. I cleaned it up, took it to the lake for a spin (yes I had the plug in). After about an hour on the water I opened the rear hatch to just make sure everything was ok and water was half way up the batteries. So I quickly found the bilge pump and turned it on. It took most the water out and I spent another 5 hours on the lake. This weekend I took it out on the lake again (plug is tight) and I flipped on the bilge pump first thing. In about an hour it was filled up and water was soaking beginning to soak the carpet. The bilge pump is still on and pumping water but it didn't seem to be keeping up. Brought it home crawled under it to check the hull and I can't find any thing wrong. The only thing I can find wrong is the livewell pump was removed and I haven't bought a replacement yet. Could the lack of a livewell pump be causing this problem? Any suggestions how to trouble shoot this problem. Thank you for your expert opinions. Sinking!

03-12-08, 03:35 PM	#2
Fish2win BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Norris Tennessee Posts: 469	Yes. In fact it is most likely where the problem is. Check all connections on the plubming. It might only bea drip but it builds up.s __________________ Norris Tennessee set the hook! They dont have hands.

03-12-08, 03:49 PM	#3
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	My guess would be that you have a leak. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

03-12-08, 11:19 PM	#7
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,142	I'd put it in the water and see if you can see where it is leaking. Most likely it is where there is a fill fitting such as the livewell pump. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

03-12-08, 05:07 PM	#4
howghunter BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: gettysburg pa Posts: 21	try setting it were you can tell then fill it up with water and see if you can tell were its leaking from.

03-12-08, 07:12 PM	#5
boater BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: O'Fallon Missouri Posts: 283	If the livewell pump has plumbing to the transomto fill and the pump is out of it then this source will have to be plugged too?

03-12-08, 10:26 PM	#6
PJack BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 8	The stern has two holes for the live well, One in the intake the other is the outflow. I'm going to plug both of those holes up take it to the lake and see if it fills up with water again. If it does.....then it must be a breach in the hull? I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Thank you for the advice.

03-15-08, 09:28 PM	#8
PJack BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 8	Update.....I plugged both Live well holes (with old wine corks). Took it to the lake today and ran it all over the lake, and the bilge stayed as dry as a bone! Now I can fish without having to worry about sinking!

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