Another water in the locker/bilge thread.. sorry.

[seadoomichael]

Ok, so I had another outing today and noticed *a lot* of water in the locker and bilge. To the point where the bilge pump kicked in a couple times to drain the water when we stopped running on the lake and sat for a bit. When I got home and after I let it drain (on a hill no less). I vacuumed about another 2 gallons with the shop vac out of the bottom of the engine compartment. We had a normal day on the lake. No water over the bow incidents or anything like that. Strange I think.

Anyway. There have been several threads on this topic, and no clear consensus as far as I can tell. The majority appear to think this is normal for the Rotax engines (leaking carbon seals?) but I'm not so sure now. I don't want to send my mechanic on an expensive wild goose chase, so I think a once and for all poll is in order!

 

[Dr Honda]

The carbon seals leak water to keep themselves cool. It is very normal to have water in the bilge after a day out.

 

[dsw222]

my boat has water in the engine compartment often... i found out that if i have passengers in the back, it appears to leak water in from the top of the engine hatch, down into the storage bay, and then through the crack into the engine bay (it trickles down around the tuned pipe)

I dont think its GALLONS of water... just maybe an inch or so in the back of the bay (if its enough to kick on the bilge pump then i havent noticed... but i dont think it is)

 

[Ryan818]

I agree with Dr. Honda. All shaft seals are designed to leak to keep cool.

 

[moosehead]

While the seals are designed to leak, and additional water onboard after a day out is normal, it definitely sounds like you are taking on above normal amounts.

Other threads, which I believe OP has been a part of, have suggested design flaws in Challenger that draw/leave more water in the locker due to drain/scupper issues.

There are also other perhaps more serious water leakage issues that need to be checked through troubleshooting like exhaust leakage, hull issues, and proper bilge pump operation.

The only time I had gallons(s) of water in the bilge/locker at one time was when the S200 had a hole in the exhaust taking on excess water and the bilge was down due to an electrical short in the dash.

FWIW, I'm one of the dumbarse's that have left my SD moored in a wet slip this summer. While it did cause me sleepless nights, and it forced me to make sure any water taken on was normal and was being pumped out properly - so far, so good. IMO, it's OK to be paranoid about water in the bilge.

 

[BMANN06]

+1 For Dr. Honda

The carbon seals leak water to keep themselves cool. It is very normal to have water in the bilge after a day out.

I've been interested in this discussion and did some testing on my lake to determine when and where water is coming in from my hull. And the good doctor is right.

I removed the storage tray (btw it does a great job of damping noise) and had the wifey ripp around while i had the hood (for lack of a better term) open a notch to keep an eye on water intake. My boat (98 speedster) takes in the most water when you go from crusising speed to a stop. As the boat stops the water seems to come up over the swim deck but at the same time pushes those carbon seals open for a second which allows water in. These carbon seals do throw a bit of water in when cruising around but nowhere near as much as when the boat stops from a cruising speed. So anyways take this with a grain of salt as this is what i observed. I guess if it stresses people out with this water in the hull when you go to a stop put your boat in Neutral or Reverse before that big wave hits the stern and that may help.

my .02 cents

 

[timhood]

I voted for "maybe a gallon," but so far I'd say I get usually less than a quart. I don't count the outing where we had a couple of "water over the bow" incidents--that time I vacuumed out a couple of gallons out of the ski locker area!

 

[seadoomichael]

I think this poll is pretty conclusive. Thanks for participating. I'm not going to get too worked up about the water in the locker and just keep an eye on it.