Problem Draining the Bilge

[RZMike]

Anyone else have a problem getting all the water out of the bilge? After looking at the rear of the boat (as in the picture) I can see why. The drain hole isn't centered at the lowest point. Therefore even with the trailer jack all the way up, I'll never be able to get all the water out.

So here's my question/s. Why is the drain over to the port side? Anyone else have the same problem? Can I add another drain where it should be? It looks like there's room, but I'm wondering if I'm missing something. There has to be a reason it was installed like that.

[David]

I don't think it matters what side it would be if it wasnt in the middle but with the taps and exhaust taking up much of the middle (besides inbetween them) where else would you put it. I'm sure there is a reason why its not directly above the taps plate or under the boat. Tomorrow I'll be out with our family friends new Wakesetter and I'll look on that where the hole is and also on another persons '01 22i.

But now that you brought it up and neither I or you have an explanation, it makes me think also. I'll ask the slalom shop (local tige dealer) tomorrow...

[RZMike]

Appreciate the help - I would think it should be between the exhausts, over the taps plate. That's the best spot for the water to drain out. I looked down there yesterday, looks like there's plenty of room. I'm not sure about structural integrity though.

[David]

If you don't have the answer yet, My dad and I will be picking up the boat to take home and I'll stop inside the dealer and ask about it. I should be able to get it tonight but if not tomorrow morning I'll have it.

[smendez]

From our 2003 22V

[RZMike]

Ah, so it can be done - Thanks smendez

[Ruune]

My 2004 22v has it in the middle as well. I dont know how far you tow your boat after you put it on the trailer, but you might want to leave the plug out while you're on the road. Alternatively, pull the plug out and let the boat sit on an incline for a few minutes.

[knighb2]

In my '99 21v there is also a drain hole in the bottom center of the boat (in front of the transmission). If you pull this plug you can get all of the water out. But you need to take the back seat out to get at it. Usually there isn't too much water in there anyway.

[RZMike]

knighb2 - I'll have to look and see if I have one of those plugs. I don't recall seeing one, but that doesn't mean it's not there.

Ruune - I always pull the plug on the ramp and leave it out, but there's still and inch or two of water that remains. When I got home from the lake last night, I put a concrete block under the jack so I could get the trailer tongue up higher. I got it high enough that the prop guard was on the ground. A little more water came out, but I still can't get all the water out.

[RZMike]

Maybe I should explain why I'm fussing over this whole subject....

I realize there's always a little bit of water left after pulling the plug. My old boat always had some, but it was very minimal and evaporated in a day or so. With 1-2 inches of water in my 23V I'm having corrosion and mildew problems in the engine compartment. If not removed, the water will stand in the bilge for months. This year, I've been using a wet vac to get the water out when I get home. However, this solution is a pain in the ____ .

As you can see from the picture, the current location of the bilge drain is about 2 inches above the bottom of the boat. I could probably stand the boat on it's end and not get all the water out.

I don't know if the factory put the plug there or if it was put there by a dealer, but it's a bad location. It doesn't look like anyone else has the same problem. It may be specific to my boat. I guess I'll just try and put one in the center were it should be and see how it goes.

[Matt Garcia]

Mike, my drain is in the same spot. I don't know if it is just for 01 models or just 23Vs.

I encounter the same as you but my solution is to leave the bilge on when loading the boat on the trailer at the end of day. Just leave the bilge on the whole time you are coming up the ramp and on to a level surface. The incline of the ramp and the forward motion sends any remaining water to the transom of the boat and to be sucked out by the bilge. I also leave the plug in, I dont take it out until I am done cleaning the boat out. Try it out, I always have a dry bilge area when I am done. Any remaining moisture is dried out by the heat of the engine.

[knighb2]

You always get a little water in the bilge, but a couple of inches of water? That seems extreme. Maybe you should not worry so much about how to get it out, but fix the problem at the root. Stop the water from getting in! If you have a leak that is allowing that much water in you should probably fix it anyway.

[RZMike]

Matt - thanks for the idea, I hadn't thought of that one. I'll try it next time.

knighb2 - your right, I am going about this backwards. I'm getting water in because the packing needs to be adjusted. I've got the wrench, I've just got to adjust it. I get to the lake and the family's ready to ride, so I always put it off

Even with the packing adjusted I'm still going to get some water - right? I guess that's why I was concerned with getting it out.

Thanks to all who replied. I appreciate all the help and suggestions.

[blr]

RZ mike, in my opinion you should solve the water issue first but not by tightening the seal. I would jst do it once and replace it with a PSS seal. you can find out info on them by doing a search for PSS. It is a water tight (internally) seal. If you choose to tighten your seal (at least in my experience) it will become something you will have to do quite often (every other time out) and then you will replace it and have a year or so (100+ hours) of not so much leaking and then it will be bakc to the always tightening game. put in a pss and never worry about it again. jst my .02.

[wolfpack]

Just run your bilge pump. It'll get all the water out.