Transmission fluid leak and slipping/shudder while surfing

[travis5550]

We've started noticing some shudders/slipping while surfing here lately. It only happens while surfing (around 11mph, taps at 6 and with about 1000lbs ballast). Cruising around without all that extra weight is normal. It seemed to start just on turns, but I noticed it a few times on straightaways more recently. After first noticing, I checked the tranny fluid and it was nearly empty. I refilled and went out a few more times, only to find it low again. I topped it off and even put in some Lucas Stops Slip, but that didn't seem to help.

A friend onboard thinks it may just be slipping BC its starving for gas given the angle the boat is at while surfing. We had just under half a tank while sitting flat, but the gauge reads empty when surfing. I'm assuming thats not the issue though.

Either way I know there is a leak somewhere, so perhaps its best to start there. I noticed a lot of fluid on top of the tranny yesterday and took a pic. There's also a bunch in the bilge. Any ideas where this might be coming from? I don't think I've spilled this much while refilling. Should I attempt to tighten the bolts shown in the pic?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Ive been working through a long list of issues so far this season - can't wait to have a boat that just works . Thanks! IMG_20150530_135033.jpg IMG_20150530_135024.jpg

[travis5550]

Following up, I may found a potential source of the leak. The bolt shown in this pic was super loose - not even hand tightened. I tightened it up a bit and will cross my fingers that does it. Any other thoughts/suggestions would still def be much appreciated!
IMG_20150531_154842.jpg

[dom w. forte]

You see those allen bolts at the top of your picture thats a common source of leak , wipe them clean and watch them while running, if the get wet teflon them.

[travis5550]

thanks dom! did you mean the allen bolts labeled A in the attached image, or is it possible to adjust the ones labeled B as well? btw what I found that was loose yesterday was the bolt with a red dot on it. thanks again!

IMG_20150530_135033.jpg

[Z1Fan]

Don't use Teflon tape, use a pipe seal compound, otherwise known as pipe dope.. Little pieces of the Teflon tape will plug up your cooling passages...

[dom w. forte]

Im talking about the ones labled A, and there could be one next to it.