Taking On Water + Bilge Pump

[tigedane]

We were out Saturday morning and due to it being perfect (a true oddity for North Texas in August), we were not in a hurry to get in the water. Just sat and enjoyed it for about an hour - so no wet bodies, skis or waves over the bow to contend with.

I opened the motor cover and there was about 2" of water in the bilge.

Two questions:
1) What are the likely culprits? Fixes?
2) It wasn't a ton of water, but when I turned on the bilge pump, it wasted no time expelling it.
Is the automatic element of my bilge pump not working or did the water just not get high enough to kick it on?

Thanks,

Dane

[da.bell]

What year and model is your Tige? You might have to tighten the packing on the prop shaft.

[zad0030]

We were out Saturday morning and due to it being perfect (a true oddity for North Texas in August), we were not in a hurry to get in the water. Just sat and enjoyed it for about an hour - so no wet bodies, skis or waves over the bow to contend with.

I opened the motor cover and there was about 2" of water in the bilge.

Two questions:
1) What are the likely culprits? Fixes?
2) It wasn't a ton of water, but when I turned on the bilge pump, it wasted no time expelling it.
Is the automatic element of my bilge pump not working or did the water just not get high enough to kick it on?

Thanks,

Dane

It could come from a bunch of different places. Depending on the year of your boat its most likely the shaft seal. But it could also be any thru-hull fittings for raw water, BALLAST, tracking fins, rudder, shaft, exhaust. Depending on where it is depends on the fix.

Yes, more than likely it wasnt high enough yet.

[tigedane]

2000 21i

Knew I was forgetting something!

It is a 2000 21i

Thanks

[chpthril]

Sounds like the bilge pump works, but could have a bad float switch, or not one at all. When ur back at home, install the plug, drop the garden hose in the bilge, and turn on the water and see if the pump kicks on by it's self. If not, you either need a new pump, or add in a float if it's not an auto pump.

[jacques2727]

I had the exact same thing with my 2000 21i earlier this year. Water entering bilge when the boat was not even running. After ruling out drive shaft packing, and the other usual culprits, I went as far as stripping down the whole rear of the boat, including removing the fuel tank, to troubleshoot. I ended up finding a crack in one of the fiberglass exhaust tubes, near the rear of the boat where it connects to the exit tubing. A little epoxy, and a couple coats of fiberglass and good as new. I can't believe how dry the bilge area stays now. Try looking into this as a possibility.

[Lucky 275]

I had the exact same thing with my 2000 21i earlier this year. Water entering bilge when the boat was not even running. After ruling out drive shaft packing, and the other usual culprits, I went as far as stripping down the whole rear of the boat, including removing the fuel tank, to troubleshoot. I ended up finding a crack in one of the fiberglass exhaust tubes, near the rear of the boat where it connects to the exit tubing. A little epoxy, and a couple coats of fiberglass and good as new. I can't believe how dry the bilge area stays now. Try looking into this as a possibility.

Had the exact same thing happen to my 2006 22v. Pulled the exhaust and used marine epoxy from Lowes. Dry as a bone, now.

[tigedane]

Thank you!

I appreciate the feedback and will give it a look!

Dane