95 Stratos taking on water

[garysgirl]

We recently purchashed a 95 Stratos 284FS. The first time we took it to the lake, it took on so much water, that it came up into the floor. We took it home, plugged every hole in the boat except for the one beside the plug where I am assuming the livewells drain. Went back to the lake and the boat is still getting water down in the hull. It seems that it is more on the left side. Have not been able to find a diagram on line of the hoses and where everything is behind the gas tank, etc. Any suggestions or diagrams would be most appreciated as we would like to fix the problem ourselves. Thank you!!

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

Welcome to iboats, garysgirl. The obvious places to start looking are any through-hull fittings - main drain, bilge outlets, livewells, etc. Also, the hull joint under the rubrail is notorious in alot of boats. Then go topside and check for cracks in the horizontal surfaces - platforms, sole (floor), access hatches. With such water intrusion, I'd also be suspicious that there is some waterlogging going on. Remove the main drain and kick the bow up. If it trickles water for long periods of time I would suspect some waterlogged condition in the bilge. Or it could be cracks in hoses connected to through-hull fittings. You're gonna need a good flashlight!

 

[local825]

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

I'm assumiming you have two live wells, what i did was fill mine with warterfrom the hose and took the drains from the floor off let warter out check if hull is wet the good flash light is a must,try to tilt the boat back as far as posible with out hitting engine check bilge area, check plug make sure its tight i put a plug in from inside and one from out side overkill yes but no warter.. Also if you can post pics.

 

[garysgirl]

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

Welcome to iboats, garysgirl. The obvious places to start looking are any through-hull fittings - main drain, bilge outlets, livewells, etc. Also, the hull joint under the rubrail is notorious in alot of boats. Then go topside and check for cracks in the horizontal surfaces - platforms, sole (floor), access hatches. With such water intrusion, I'd also be suspicious that there is some waterlogging going on. Remove the main drain and kick the bow up. If it trickles water for long periods of time I would suspect some waterlogged condition in the bilge. Or it could be cracks in hoses connected to through-hull fittings. You're gonna need a good flashlight!

Thank you so much! We have already checked the fittings, replaced the whole drain plug assembly, checked for cracks in the horizontal surfaces. It must be something with the hoses that is letting water down into the "v hull" somehow. We plan to take the gas tank out so that we will have better access to the hoses and so we can see where they lead. The only bilge pump in the thing is dropped down under the battery boxes but the water seems to be more in the deeper part of the hull. We will keep searching! Thank you again!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

the livewells shouldn't be a problem if you aren't pumping water into them. If you have it on a trailer, try putting the bilge plug in and filling with water, an dlook for it leaking out. Check the bow eye for leaks, too.

 

[garysgirl]

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

Welcome to iboats, garysgirl. The obvious places to start looking are any through-hull fittings - main drain, bilge outlets, livewells, etc. Also, the hull joint under the rubrail is notorious in alot of boats. Then go topside and check for cracks in the horizontal surfaces - platforms, sole (floor), access hatches. With such water intrusion, I'd also be suspicious that there is some waterlogging going on. Remove the main drain and kick the bow up. If it trickles water for long periods of time I would suspect some waterlogged condition in the bilge. Or it could be cracks in hoses connected to through-hull fittings. You're gonna need a good flashlight!

Hey Coastalrichard! After plugging every hole on the boat, and noticing after a good rain for a couple days that none of the fittings leaked a drop, we started checking the hull joint under the rubrail. It does seem to be cracked in a couple places and even not completely covering the seam in places. Would that much water get in around that? It did seem that the most water got in after going down the lake at a higher speed. Am I right to assume that the pressure of water at a higher speed might force the water into the cracks? If so, what is the method of repair? Thank you!!

 

[CadillacsCowgirl]

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

My husband and I just acquired a 1989 Javelin 396FS and had the same problem. We took the boat out last weekend for an hour or so to pick apart anything that might need to be done to it. By the time we got back to the ramp (I'm sure it was well before) we had taken on a lot of water... not quite to the extent of what you did but none the less it was a whole lot of water. We got the boat home and my husband immediately checked everything from live wells to drains etc... Nothing! Everything was water tight. And then it happened... he accidentally sprayed water up under the inside of the gunwale(?) and water starts coming out from under the rubrail. Needless to say, the boat is sitting on the carport with all the caulk removed waiting to be recaulked (3M 5200 ain't cheap ). Good luck with yours!

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

Hey Coastalrichard! After plugging every hole on the boat, and noticing after a good rain for a couple days that none of the fittings leaked a drop, we started checking the hull joint under the rubrail. It does seem to be cracked in a couple places and even not completely covering the seam in places. Would that much water get in around that? It did seem that the most water got in after going down the lake at a higher speed. Am I right to assume that the pressure of water at a higher speed might force the water into the cracks? If so, what is the method of repair? Thank you!!

Absolutely garysgirl. I recall you said it appeared to leak more on the port (left) side...is that where you found the crack? Can you access the area in question from inside the boat (it will be easier to see the sunlight showing through the crack)?

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

Thanks for your input there CC. It's amazing how much it costs to have "marine" use in products. Glad you found your issue quickly. BTW, welcome to iboats.

 

[CadillacsCowgirl]

Re: 95 Stratos taking on water

Thank you... glad to be here!