Water in ski locker

[Jacob L]

I just bought my first jet boat and know limited info. It is a 2018 SX190. It was taking on water between the engine and hull and water was coming into the ski locker area. I had it in the water for about 2 hours and the bilge would come on but not often not long. When I pulled it out and took plugs out (yes they were in) it took about 2 mins for it to drain. So, I put it in the shop to have it looked at. The mechanic said it had three leaks and the manhole cover area needed to be resealed so the water would go out the drain hole. I understand one was where the clean out rubber thick tube connects to the hull. Another was something around the intake area. And the last was the seal to the cleanout plug. They fixed the bottom two and said they sprayed silicone around the cleanout plug due to the part has been "in transit" for about 8 days. They also resealed the manhole cover area. I was told they ran it two days and one day before I got it back with no leaks. I took it out today. I did not notice any water when I looked in the manhole but water was in the cleanout area (which I have been told is normal). I was out for about 2 hours (running and floating some of each) and during that time the bilge only came on once or twice and for just short time. All this seemed good but there was water still coming into the ski locker. It gets more or less water depending on if the weight is in the front or back of the boat. I had the mechanic meet me at the lake and look at it. He said I need a drain plug in it and water coming in is from water coming over the back of the boat.

Should I be concerned if water is coming in the ski locker? Does it mean there is still a leak somewhere that hasn't been found? Or should I put a plug in it and let the bilge just work when needs?

 

[SamN44]

That's a lot of water. Definitely don't ignore it or you may have bigger problems down the road. The bilge should not come on at all unless you take a big wave over the bow or get caught in the rain. My 2020 is completely dry and no water comes out of the drain plugs no matter how long I'm on the water. Water on top of the cleanout plug is normal, but it should not enter inside the boat.

If it were my boat, I would totally dry it out and then take it to the lake and float with some weight in it and start inspecting with a flashlight in the bilge and the inspection hatches under the swim deck. Check the condition of your drain plug o-rings and spray with silicone grease to puff them up if they are old or replace. Start to consider loose nuts around the jet pump, exhaust, etc. Fill up the hole above the cleanout plug with water and look inside. Run the motor while inspecting to see if it happens while floating or only under way.

Start with the easiest things to inspect that are below the waterline first.

 

[Jerlane]

“Water coming over the back” always seems to be the generic explanation. I wonder if it’s ever the real culprit?

I have a new to me, 2021 195s and also noted a fair amount of water making its way to the ski locker after a short amount of time. After troubleshooting a number of different possible sources, I finally noticed that water seemed to be leaking in the spot where the steering cable goes through the transom and that the silicone wasn’t very complete around it, especially the bottom. I pulled that off and resealed it and that seemed to make a big difference. I also did the bees wax thing around the manhole cover which may have helped, too.

 

[drewkaree]

“Water coming over the back” always seems to be the generic explanation. I wonder if it’s ever the real culprit?

If I had to wager a guess, I would say 98% of the time, no, and the 2% would be due to severely choppy waters

Does it get more water in when weight is towards the bow, and less when it's towards the stern?

 

[Jacob L]

Thank you all. I took it out today and ran it pretty hard pulling a tube and floating. After running and then pulling, the bilge did come on and water was in the ski locker but not much. Stopped and anchored, turned on bilge and it ran for about 30 secs before no more water. After floating for about 45 mins, turned on the bilge again to see and no water came out. So nothing while sitting still. Then went for longer ride and noticed bilge came on during the ride (I didn't turn it on, switch was off). When got to where I was going, I turned on the bilge and a lot of water just kept coming. Opened the ski locker and it was the most that has been in there. Checked and the water was hot. So not from the outside. So looks like shop fixed external leaks. Yay, one fix.

Saw another thread on here and basically it is from an engine leak somewhere is the best guess. Talked to shop and going to put it back in the shop early next week to see if can be fixed now.

Question is, is it anything I can do myself or need professional services?

 

[rhtufts]

I had a similar issue with my '19 AR195. I put boat on trailer and started filling it with water from a garden hose. It didn't take long to find the leak it was one of the cheapo plastic drain plugs. I replaced both with stainless steel and my boat bilge has been dry as a bone inside ever since.

 

[Jacob L]

I had a similar issue with my '19 AR195. I put boat on trailer and started filling it with water from a garden hose. It didn't take long to find the leak it was one of the cheapo plastic drain plugs. I replaced both with stainless steel and my boat bilge has been dry as a bone inside ever since.

Thank you.

 

[jmboater]

New as well so take this with a grain of salt.

Recently had the boat on the lake for a few days (in water the whole time with some rain).

Went out to prepare the boat one morning and had water in the wet/dry storage and seemed high. Wondered if my bilge stopped working.

When a few buddies got on towards the rear, the boat leveled out (nose up a little) and the bilge kicked on. Got on plane and it emptied the rest.

Some internet sleuthing said the same. At rest, the bilge doesn’t pick up everything. Normally the boat doesn’t take on much water (drain removal when we pull out doesn’t have much drain).

TLDR, may just be the water level below the bilge and how it sits in the water empty/at rest

 

[Boat2024!]

New as well so take this with a grain of salt.

Recently had the boat on the lake for a few days (in water the whole time with some rain).

Went out to prepare the boat one morning and had water in the wet/dry storage and seemed high. Wondered if my bilge stopped working.

When a few buddies got on towards the rear, the boat leveled out (nose up a little) and the bilge kicked on. Got on plane and it emptied the rest.

Some internet sleuthing said the same. At rest, the bilge doesn’t pick up everything. Normally the boat doesn’t take on much water (drain removal when we pull out doesn’t have much drain).

New as well so take this with a grain of salt.

Recently had the boat on the lake for a few days (in water the whole time with some rain).

Went out to prepare the boat one morning and had water in the wet/dry storage and seemed high. Wondered if my bilge stopped working.

When a few buddies got on towards the rear, the boat leveled out (nose up a little) and the bilge kicked on. Got on plane and it emptied the rest.

Some internet sleuthing said the same. At rest, the bilge doesn’t pick up everything. Normally the boat doesn’t take on much water (drain removal when we pull out doesn’t have much drain).

TLDR, may just be the water level below the bilge and how it sits in the water empty/at rest

TLDR, may just be the water level below the bilge and how it sits in the water empty/at rest

Had same problem and went nuts trying to figure it out. Cleaned it out and watched the drain plug and lo and behold a very slow, slight leak from bilge came in around the drain plug fitting - not the plug! Took it apart and resealed with black gasket sealer. Make sure screws are tight. Had to change one -not catching fiberglass. Holy crap dry as a bell now Check all plug fittings and reseal. Hope this helps.

 

[Jacob L]

Thank you.

 

[blacksapphirez]

SEAL the clean out port panel and get you a riser or gasket for the removable portion.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Thank you.

Any updates?

 

[Jacob L]

Blacksapphizer....we are planning to do that as well.

FSH 210 sport...no new updates on the leak. After 5 times in the shop for it, the leak is still the same. However, they keep fixing leaks. Around the cleanout plug, around driveshaft, transducer are the big ones. Two shops both who said ran it with cleanout tray off to see, one 2/3 refund after dispute for not fixing, 3-4 leak fixes, 10-12 hours put on boat, and about 25 gallons of gas...still same prob.

From myself watching, it appears to be coming in at high rpm. Put in plug in ski locker and turn on bilge as coming off plain and pumps for about 15-60 secs. At end of day, still about 1-2 mins to drain after pulling plugs on ramp at angle. My next step is to pull clean out tray, block or disconnect kill switch, put on jacket and step by step start going through ideas I have seen on this page. Start with looking for leaks while on trailer with back in water, engine on while on trailer, no wake mode, etc until at speed pulling a tub with kids. If I can't find it doing all that, I don't know.

Some on here say there is always water in there, some say they got it fixed, some say should never happen. It sounds like it may just be what it is and what this boat does. I am going to try again before putting it away for the winter. I am in GA so have few more weeks. Out of town through next week, so first couple weekends in Oct prob.

I will update after and let you all know. If I can find it, maybe can shed some light for others. And if I find it, another shop will be giving me money back as well.

 

[Jacob L]

Also needs noting for those watching, the water is warm to hot. I don't think it is coming from the outside.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Also needs noting for those watching, the water is warm to hot. I don't think it is coming from the outside.

That warm / hot water is coming from the cooling system on the motor. Have you checked the pilot water hose and outlet?

There are a couple of ways to help find leaks. One is to lay one of those blue paper shop towels under the suspected area where water might be coming in and check during an outing. Another is to dust an area with baby powder to help locate the origin of a leak.

If I understand you correctly you want to bypass the safety shutoff for the clean out tray hatch and pull the clean out tray so you can investigate while underway or with the boat on the trailer at the ramp? Please be super careful when doing this and return the safety shut off to normal asap.

 

[Jacob L]

Pilot water hose and outlet? Is that what is called the "pisser"?

Yes about the tray. Yeah not thrilled about doing that. Both shops have said they have done it but neither have fixed it so don't believe they have done it. Going to start at the slow speed and go from there. When I feel unsafe, that will be where it stops. Not worth hospital visit or drowning over it. If comes to that, then the name of the boat will stay perfect...At W.I.T.S. End (water in the ski locker).

 

[blacksapphirez]

I had a leak from the rubber coupler from.exhaust manifold to the waterbox(muffler)

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Yes, that is the pilot water outlet which is the outlet from the oil cooler.. I don’t like calling it the pisser…

IMHO the water leak you seek is coming from the engine somewhere, that is why it is warm / hot water, I suggest you concentrate your efforts there as this is the most critical. Get out on the boat and run it around then shut it down and get down in the engine bay and feel around for the wet spot . Effect repairs as ncecessary once you’ve found it.

 

[2kwik4u]

Yes, that is the pilot water outlet which is the outlet from the oil cooler.. I don’t like calling it the pisser…

IMHO the water leak you seek is coming from the engine somewhere, that is why it is warm / hot water, I suggest you concentrate your efforts there as this is the most critical. Get out on the boat and run it around then shut it down and get down in the engine bay and feel around for the wet spot . Effect repairs as ncecessary once you’ve found it.

Yeap, hate that term too.

Mines been leaking hot water into the boat for about 5 seasons now. I've tried my damnedest to find the leak and have given up.

Now I just assume it's hot water cleaning the bulge pump every outing and I feel better about it.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Yeap, hate that term too.

Mines been leaking hot water into the boat for about 5 seasons now. I've tried my damnedest to find the leak and have given up.

Now I just assume it's hot water cleaning the bulge pump every outing and I feel better about it.

Well that must be maddening…

Right? I take a lot of pride in my boat, the last thing I would want to say about it is that is pisses… seems like a term for a piece of equipment that is a pos.