Water coming in bilge
Nice and Naughty
Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
The first trip out this season ( Memorial Weekend ) and I'm pumping water out of the bilge. We have a 2005 Captiva 282BR and I've never experienced this much water after only 30 mins on the water. We had just had the boat serviced for the upcoming season ( oil change, tune up, new water impeller, drive removed to check bellows ect.. ) I called the shop that did the service and asked them what they did that might cause the boat to be taking on water. They told me to keep an eye on it and see if we were taking on water while under way or sitting. The leak seamed to get slower and eventually went away over the weekend. I looked all weekend long to see where it might be coming from and could not see anything. We took the boat back to the shop and they called me yesterday to tell me that it needed a $10.00 foam gasket between the outdrive and engine. Then they told me it was going to be 10 hrs @ $125.00 per hour to install the gasket because the engine had to be removed. I guess my question is this. Has anyone experienced this and would it just happen without a cause? I argued with the shop that it was something they must have done to aggravate this leak but didn't get anywhere. I know that BOAT really means ( break out another thousand ) but am I being told the truth about how this gasket is being replaced and the time involved? Sorry to sound like I am whining but this is going to cost me 3 tanks of gas! Thanks for taking the time to read this book and any input is greatly appreciated.
Comments
For your sake, I'd hope the shop is wrong. If the leak stopped, maybe wait on it. You tow your boat, right (as opposed to leave it in a slip)? See if the dry out thing pans out.
From my understanding, the sealing out of the water is on the outside of the boat. Which would only mean an outdrive being taken out, as opposed to the engine.
Next time out, bring a flashlight and mirror to look for the leak (or a smartphone). you can try to coat a dry bilge with blue chalk (purchase at your home improvement store) and that might help you find the location of the leak. trickling water will be easier to spot (blue's gone).
good luck!