1996 ski Nautique/ New owner/ First Boat/.... Water coming in!

[Sam Wells]

We noticed this weekend that a wet spot was developing in the carpet on the right side rear of the boat. At first it seemed to be from people getting in and out of the boat but it slowly grew as we were just floating. By the end of our day the carpet on the right side was soaked. It seemed that our bilge pump worked fine but maybe more than in the past. (very little history here) I don't see any water coming in from the plug or anywhere else under the engine. Also, the boat listed to the right side indicating to me we were taking on water but it was settling only on the right side. This made me think that our bilge might not be pumping our "this water" at all. Seems like the bilge water would all settle equally.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[JD ski]

Is there possibly a leak in the wet exhaust system on the right side? You may need to pull up the flooring in that area to look. I am not sure of the exit point for your bilge but mine is in the right side near the back. Is that line cracked? You need to investigate more. Attach a hose to the motor and run the motor in your drive way to rule out anything that the fresh water cooling system could be causing. Check your bilge pump system from pick up to exit. Look at it, put water in your bilge and watch it pump water looking for leaks. Start with that and see if you come up with anything. Good luck.

[Sam Wells]

Thanks JD. I will do that.

[surroundsound64]

Exhaust is what I first thought as well.