First time out issues - electrical?

[dmbisbest]

Picked up the boat (2103 Z1) last weekend and went for a quick surf but finally had it out for a good long run yesterday. I had a few issues that are troubling:

1) I got a bigger ballast bag for the port side and the boat seemed to be taking on water at an alarming rate. The bilge was running constantly and everything in my storage compartments are drenched. Loose connection on the new bag maybe?
2) I had gas spilling out the overlow on the port side (surf sack side). And the gas was not even close to full...
3) The heater is stuck on all of the time
4) The ballast back bags weren't filling until I pulled up the engine compartment and let some air out of the pumps.

Any ideas?

[mnpracing]

Possibilities:

1) Is the bag losing water? If not, then I would suspect the shaft collar. '13 shaft collars were problematic. I've had mine replaced with an updated model. If the bag is losing water, then I would check the quick connects to make sure everything is connected properly. Also check the threaded parts of the quick connects to make sure as the bags are filling, that the quick connect doesn't get pushed sideways, as this can create enough leverage for water to leak past the threads. This can leak a surprising amount of water.
2) only reason for this to happen would be a low spot or loop in the vent hose that holds fuel and then when you list, it comes out. Check the routing, you might have to adjust the routing or cut off some excess hose.
3) Was your '13 and early build? This was an issue on some '12's and was corrected (if I remember correctly) by the installation of a diode on the power line at, or near, the medallion panel. Is it an issue only when the boat is off, or also when the boat is running?
4) likely to do with the routing of the hoses from the pumps to the bag. Can be finicky, but once you get it right, you shouldn't have the issue on-going.

Feel free to message me. Also, I'm in the area if you need someone to take a look without hauling it up to Heinen's.

[dmbisbest]

Thanks MNpracing. I will check out all of those things today.

[dmbisbest]

I don't think it was an early build... Is there a way to tell? This will be my 3rd summer with it and the heater hasn't been an issue before.

[mnpracing]

First time out issues - electrical?

I don't think it was an early build... Is there a way to tell? This will be my 3rd summer with it and the heater hasn't been an issue before.

Not sure how to tell the build date. check if there is a diode in-line on the heater switch wire coming out of the medallion panel. If there's not, that could be the issue. Not surprising that the issue just came up. On my friend's '12 Z3, the issue started 1/2 way through the 2nd season. He had to turn the main battery switch to off each time it happened....

Is it an issue only when you shut the boat off, or when the boat is running as well?

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

I second what mnpracing said about the shaft collar. Mine took on water when I first bought it. Took it to dealer and they fixed it. If you haven't had that problem yet it may finally be surfacing. But I also don't remember water pouring in at an "alarming rate". My guess would probly be your bag.

[JLG]

I third that as I've seen Chris's "shaft collar" leaking a lot! pun intended but was a common issue in those 13 models.

[bsreid]

On the coast guard sticker it says some sort of a date, look where all the stickers are it should say

[boardman74]

^^^This it will have the month and year built on the sticker that in the walk thru

[talltigeguy]

The hull ID number will have the month of build on it. You have to decipher the code. For example, the last 2 numbers will be 13 on your boat, indicating the model year. Somewhere in there will be another 13, or perhaps a 12 with a letter before that. If you see I12 that would mean it was built in September 2012, or C13 would mean March 2013. I am positive that is how one other manufacturer does it, and I think it is an industry standard. Someone correct me if that is not true.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm

[dmbisbest]

Update here.... My dealer came out and looked at things (thanks heinens)
* The water was coming in from a loose hose.
* The heater is on a timer if it is on while it is turned off (first time i have heard this)
* gas leakage - checked to make sure nothing is blocking. Seems ok, advised to open both caps when filling.

We will take it out this weekend to test! Thanks for all the help TO.

[mnpracing]

* The heater is on a timer if it is on while it is turned off (first time i have heard this)
* gas leakage - checked to make sure nothing is blocking. Seems ok, advised to open both caps when filling.

Hope it all works now...

For the heater, I misunderstood, I thought you weren't able to turn it off by touching the switch on the TT screen. Heater, blower, etc stay on for a few minutes after you've turned the key off, unless you turn them off yourself on the TT screen. If it's "stuck on all the time", the timer wouldn't help that situation....
For the gas leakage, when I fill, I open both caps (If I remember), but that shouldn't affect whether gas spills out when you are driving the boat, especially when the tank is "not even close to full". Or was it spilling out when you were adding gas to the tank?

[dmbisbest]

I thought the gas thing was weird also... It was coming out long after I put gas in (10 gallons). Will be out on Sunday to check it out and the heater situation.

[dmbisbest]

Out again today, still have water getting in all of the storage/engine compartments. Probably 8-10 inches from getting to the amps.

We did figure out that the water is warm/hot... Does this help pinpoint the problem?

And that warm water is what is making the heater seem like it is on all of the time, it is actually steam coming out the heater vents.

Annoyed...

[chpthril]

Open the starboard front locker and i bet you will see the heater leaking due to a busted (not winterized) core.