Water leak at rudder on model year 2001 ski nautique

[jeclarke]

At the end of last season i hit a rock while moving at just above idle. Slight bend in 1 of the prop blades. This season I've been chasing a leak that I just determined is coming from the rudder area. I used a remote camera (endoscope) to see the inside rudder mounting plate. No water comes in when the boat is stopped but it does enter when the boat is moving.

It looks like water is entering between the inside plate and the hull. I pulled the boat and everything looks normal on the outside. The 4 screws are tight. No marks on the rudder but I assume it hit a rock also.

Despite what it looks like I suppose the leak could be from the rudder rope seal. I'm getting about 2 quarts of water from this area when running the boat forward for 20-30 minutes. No water enters when the boat sits overnight in water.

Anybody else ever have a similar issue after a rudder hit?


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[kmarine]

When was the last time you checked the preload on your driveshaft seal. if your boat has dripless packing ( not for sure on your year) there is a bellows which you have to compress about one inch. this loads the carbon seal. they are known wo move after striking something with the prop. check the brand of seal you have Should be in the owners manual or on line . There should be a chart with instructions on the procedure for your brand. if it is the rudder, you can tighten the nut about 1/4 turn. You must first back off the lock nut. good luck. hope this helps.

[jeclarke]

Kmarine, my boat has the standard rope packing on the driveshaft, which i tightened as the first step when looking for the leak. Thanks for the response.


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[kmarine]

I would replace the packing on both then. Some of the guys by me insist on replacing every couple of years.