Engine compartment flooded

[Rogcapital]

Would appreciate some help in figuring out what’s happening with my boat today. It’s a 2007 RZX.

Took the boat surfing today. Blower was not working. Didn’t think much of it. After about an hour of surfing the boat wouldn’t go faster than about 11 MPH. I also noticed water on the carpet of the boat. I opened up the engine compartment and water filled the compartment about half way. (About 1500 pounds of water) I also received a warning message that battery was low. The bilge didn’t seem to be working either but the Bilge light was on.

Can anyone make sense of what happened to my boat today?


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[Zackdogg]

Were you running ballast previous to that? I’ve had ballast leaks put a pretty decent amount of water in my hull. Had it been sitting on water, or had you launched that day? There are only so many places that water should be able to get in, short of a damaged hull. Ballast system, motor, plug, prop shaft, or over the sides, for the most part. you got that much in one day, you should be able to see where it’s coming from.

I’d dry it on a trailer, take everything out, open every compartment and hatch. Then launch it without starting it, just float it, and see if water is coming in anywhere, then start it to see if it’s coming from the motor somewhere, then check the ballast system. Once it’s that full you water, you’re going to have a tough time seeing where it’s coming from, unless it’s up high somewhere.


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[Rogcapital]

Thanks for the advice. Not a ballast leak. Bags were full the entire time. Boat was on lift prior to taking it out. No rain last few days. It is now dry and back on my lift. So I will follow your advice. Lower the lift, boat remains off and see if water starts coming in.


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[sebenfitty]

Took on some water beginning of season. Ended up having to replace starter and knock sensor and plug. Just keep in mind when you figure out the leak problem.


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[freeheel4life]

Take a close look at the shaft seal when you put it the water. If it's a steady stream into the boat that stream usually gets worse when the shaft starts turning.

[Rogcapital]

Thanks for the great advice. I put the dry boat in the water for a few hours and it doesn’t seem to be taking on water.

Wonder if surfing with a low battery and a bilge that wasn’t working could cause that much flooding? I run a very heavy boat. Almost 5000 pounds of ballast.

Still investigating….


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[isaac]

My 2003 22v had very close clearance between the skegs on the bottom of the hull and a cross member on its “extreme” trailer. After a couple of years, the bunks compressed enough that one skeg was knocked loose and the boat took on a lot of water through the bolt holes at the now loose skeg base.

Went a few more years with wooden pads under the trailer - to - bunk mounts. A few years ago I had the trailer modified to lower the crossmember.

[BrentP]

Thanks for the great advice. I put the dry boat in the water for a few hours and it doesn’t seem to be taking on water.

Wonder if surfing with a low battery and a bilge that wasn’t working could cause that much flooding? I run a very heavy boat. Almost 5000 pounds of ballast.

Still investigating….


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With the boat that low in the water, you may be taking water in through the bilge pump drain hole or I’d expect perhaps even through the air vent above swim platform. If the bilge isn’t working I could see that adding up quickly…. I’ve looked at my boat before (2007 22ve) and thought there were lots of places you could get wash into it if you sunk it down to the rub rail - which I bet with 5000 lbs that could be the case?


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[Rogcapital]

Yes the back of the boat is very very low to the water. Especially the port side but I’ve been surfing it like this for years without an issue.


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[Zackdogg]

Thanks for the great advice. I put the dry boat in the water for a few hours and it doesn’t seem to be taking on water.

Wonder if surfing with a low battery and a bilge that wasn’t working could cause that much flooding? I run a very heavy boat. Almost 5000 pounds of ballast.

Still investigating….


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The bilge issue, is definitely a problem. I have days when I’m surfing heavy, that mine is running half the day. Constantly getting some over the back when stopping, or hit a wave wrong and get some over the bow, I’d think you’d notice that stuff coming in though.

You should probably test your batteries and see where they’re at, although I’d think you have starting or accessory issues, if they were bad. Slow starting or needing to jump it is usually about the first indicator of bad batteries. I’ve had my stereo and touch screen start doing goofy stuff, but still have enough juice to start us. I wouldn’t think the bilge pump would be as finicky as to what the voltage is, as electronics. If it isn’t coming on, it’s probably the pump, or wiring. Easy to check with a test light. At least if you get the pump working, you should be able to get rid of water as fast as you’re taking it on, or close, to get that leak tracked down.


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[Rogcapital]

Found the issue. It was leak from one of the hoses leading into a ballast pump. How often do you think those hoses need replacing?

I assume the low battery, broken blower and bilge were a result of the flood in the engine compartment.

That’s my best theory right now.

Great advise from the group. Much appreciate it.

[Zackdogg]

Found the issue. It was leak from one of the hoses leading into a ballast pump. How often do you think those hoses need replacing?

I assume the low battery, broken blower and bilge were a result of the flood in the engine compartment.

That’s my best theory right now.

Great advise from the group. Much appreciate it.

Every time I’ve had that much water, it’s been from ballast, somewhere, so I’m not super surprised to hear that. Water coming from the motor is usually pretty easy to spot.

I can see the blower getting trashed from water, if it could get to it, but not the bilge pump, since their entire purpose is to be submerged. But, hopefully everything just works after drying out, and all is good.

That vinyl hose should be good for a long time, especially since it isn’t exposed to UV. A bunch of exposure to the sun will break it down over time, or maybe if water froze in it over winter. If it isn’t visibly brittle and cracking, I doubt it’s an age issue, but you never know. If it all looks fine, it’s probably something that rubbed through, or punctured the hose. If it looks like it’s breaking down, I’d replace all the sections that look that way. All of my ballast failures, have been either manufacturer defect or stuff making contact with something that it shouldn’t.


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