How much water is normal when removing drain plug.

[treeman77]

I have a new Rzr and the first several times out no water would drain. I started leaving the plug in unless I use the cooler during the day then I remove the drain on boat ramp and little water runs out. Today did a little surfing and when I pulled the boat out of the water I removed the plug and water drained for 5 mins. That more than usual. Normally no water drains unless ice melts in the cooler.


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[Thegerman618]

Check the Shaft Seal might be time for an adjustment.

[treeman77]

The boat just came out of the shop after the 25 hour service. I wonder if something was done or undone while servicing??


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[Bubba08]

Mine typically drains for 2-3 minutes after every time we go out. We mostly surf. I have assumed this was normal. 2015 Z3

[PaceWithGrace]

Check elbows at each pump.

[shemakesmesmile]

Unless I take on a wave from the bow of the boat, or as you mentioned, water from the cooler, I have a minimal amount of drainage on my Z1.

Below is what is required at the 20 hour service on my 14 Z1. I would assume yours is similar. Untitled.jpg

[jmoore15]

Do you notice your bilge pump running periodically when your out? Mine would run quite a bit and when I pulled my boat out after a weekend surfing I would get large amounts like you describe when I pulled the plug. Mine was coming through the the shaft seal. Now after days surfing I get little to no water when I pull the plug.

[Z3CO23]

We exclusively surf with our boat, load it down pretty good. Bilge is bone dry every time. I would say it's a shaft seal or there's a leak in your ballast system..... a bag or hose or connection.

[treeman77]

I went from getting zero water from the drain before they serviced the boat to large amounts draining now after a couple hours out surfing. I got a feeling they crack a fitting on my port rear ballast while in the boat changing engine oil etc. The floor was pretty wet under the ballast bag when I checked. I wouldn't think a shaft seal at 30 hours


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[Z3CO23]

I went from getting zero water from the drain before they serviced the boat to large amounts draining now after a couple hours out surfing. I got a feeling they crack a fitting on my port rear ballast while in the boat changing engine oil etc. The floor was pretty wet under the ballast bag when I checked. I wouldn't think a shaft seal at 30 hours


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Your probably right on. I'm guessing a cracked fitting or something loose.

[Bakes5]

Put it in the water and start looking. Usually leaks are pretty obvious. If you have ball valves for the ballast, close those off completely so that no water is entering the ballast system and then drive around for a while. If you have zero water then you can start looking at your ballast. If you have lots of water then you can rule out the ballast. Any place with a hole needs to be looked at both stopped and while in motion. Check the driveshaft, ballast intake, raw water intake etc.

Places I have seen leaks over the years

1) Driveshaft
2) Exhaust port seals
3) Ballast
4) Engine hoses
5) Water pump

Anyways, if you are draining 2-5 minutes after a day on the lake, that is a substantial leak that will be obvious with a little looking around

[Germaine Marine]

My boat takes on a ton of water in the activity compartments if I dont ease out of the throttle when stopping. The water bubbles up and under the door and every so often I will check one to see and it will be half full with water.. That water goes directly into the bilge, I would be more curious as to why the auto bilge isnt coming on... if its got 5 min of water draining out of it.

[ajbpilot]

i had a 22v (my first boat with ballast) with this problem and i couldn't figure it out. eventually I took the boat out for a few hours and didn't run the ballast to see if I still took on water. No water. turned out 2 of my ballast pumps were cracked from the winter prior. The water seemed to run correctly but the pumps were also leaking through the housing filling up the boat not just the ballast tanks. I replaced them and all was ok.
My 2013 Z3 developed a water issue last year. From my prior experience, I thought the dealer didn't winterize the ballast pumps correctly. Did the same drill by not running the pumps and still had water. Turned out to be the shaft seal. Maybe this drill will help you diagnose the problem. My bet is the shaft seal though.
Good luck.