196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

[78LS2]

Was winterizing the boat today, and when I pulled the subwoofer box out of the bow, I noticed a big wet spot up front.

I noticed this same thing last year, and suspected the heater core. I replaced it first thing this spring, and after the first time I ran the boat checked for a wet spot. Nada. So, I ran the boat all year thinking that it was OK.

When I noticed the spot today, the boat had not been used for 3+ weeks and it was stored on a shore station (out of the water). So the water came from the 20 minutes or so that I went skiing.

No wet spots under heater. Only wet spots are shown in this picture:



The pictures seems to show water coming in from the bow eye, but I am 99% sure that it was dry. Even if the bow eye was leaking, I can't see how that much water got in, as the eye is well above water level at rest and in motion. I also peeled some of the carpet back along the centerline seam, and it was dry.

So, if the heater core is not leaking, and the bow eye is not leaking where is that water coming from? No cracks from above either.

Please help!!

[IDSkier]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

Maybe water sloshing up from the bilge?

[78LS2]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

Can bilge water get up that far?
Either way, the bilge (under the engine) was dry before we put the boat in the water.

[2gofaster]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

heater?

[78LS2]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

Not the heater; the platform that it sits on is bone dry. also, the vertical area between the main floor and the area the heater sits on is also dry.

[DanielC]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

Does your boat have a retractable bow lifting eye? They are not sealed.

[skiinxs]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

Probably the lifting eye. Did you dip the nose slightly in a roller while you were using it the 20 minutes?
Dave

[jward]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

Could it be coming from the rub rail?

[JUST-IN-TIME]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

looks like bow eye

[78LS2]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

No rollers to speak of. I did wash it afterwards, so I guess some water could have gone in there. But the amount of water seemed like more than run off from a wash? I guess I will check it out in the springtime

Thanks guys!

[AirTool]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

Maybe test key spots with a water hose.

Also, does anyone know the torque spec on the bow eye?

[JUST-IN-TIME]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

i doubt they have specs
tight

[FloridaNautique]

RE: 196 with water in the bow. Where did it come from?

If its a 2002 or newer and you washed the boat I would say it came from washing it. If you look at the bow it acts like a funnel right to the lifting ring area and all that water will go under the bow..