How much water should my 236 take on?

[gogop]

Have a 2007 236 Team that tragically hit a rock in 2008. All repairs completed and things seemed OK for a while but I've been taking on water the last two seasons. If I have a boat load of people and am out for several hours the boat will take on so much water It will hardly go. The bilge pump does not keep up, so I have to put it on the lift and pull the drain plug. If I'm out with six people for a couple of hours I'll notice the bilge working when the boats not in motion and when I get back to the dock I'll drain out five gallons or so (thats how much is left below the bilge intake. It bothers me because I'll notice some steam like exhaust that I assume is water splashing up on the engine. Is this normal? I've checked the heater, it's OK, checked the balast tanks pumps and connections they are OK. Boat runs great otherwise and all gauges are normal. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[shag]

Are you surfing and some is getting through the vents? Otherwise, what exactly was damaged with the rock strike? Repairs can sometimes fail too depending on what was repaired. At any rate, you should definitely not be taking on more water than the pumps can pump out....

[intrlaz]

Personally, I wouldn't be taking out a boatload of people on a boat that takes on so much water it hardly goes.

Regardless of my opinion, there is clearly something wrong here. Start with the basics. Pull the engine dividers and look for leaks from hoses. You could also pull the boat out of the water, empty bilge, then fill bilge with a garden hose to see of anything leaks (rudder, shaft packing).

[cpohl12369]

My boat is taking on water because the ballast intake line is leeking were it attaches to ballast tank so try turning off intake for ballast to diagnose. I dont think I can get to the hose without removing the gas tank which is a pain... anyone have suggestions on a way to get to the fill hose at ballast tank without removing gas tank.

1998 sport

[H2O]

Maybe a cracked muffler or leaking exhaust hose?

[AirTool]

My boat is taking on water because the ballast intake line is leeking were it attaches to ballast tank so try turning off intake for ballast to diagnose. I dont think I can get to the hose without removing the gas tank which is a pain... anyone have suggestions on a way to get to the fill hose at ballast tank without removing gas tank.

1998 sport

Welcome first poster....but don't be hijacking this thread. Start your own.

[AirTool]

Maybe plug all your ballast thru holes and one at a time see if it makes any difference. You could also take a thermometer with you to see if the water is warmer than the lake water.

You should check your packing especially if dripless.

[gogop]

Great idea AirTool. Heading to the lake today, I'm thinking it's the dripless packing.

[AirTool]

Great idea AirTool. Heading to the lake today, I'm thinking it's the dripless packing.

de nada and good luck.

[Sac Surfer]

If you haven't found the leak and you have had rudder repairs I would check the 4 screws on the exhaust port. My 210 was taking some water in back there and it was noticeable. The 4" exhaust port only has 4 1/4 screws with small nuts that hold it on, one of my screws was slightly bent and there was no gasket just some sort of sealant that was leaking water into the bilge.

It's a 2 person job, but cured up my water leak issue. I used a rubber gasket and some of the "Right Stuff" for a better seal to the transom of the boat.

Just my 2 cents.