Boat taking on water

[rangies3]

I have a 1985 Cobalt bowrider which has been in our family since 1986. It was not used much when my grandmom owned it. She stored it in a closed boat house with a hoist (completely out of water) year round. It was kept in dry storage up until recently. Now we have a covered marina slip with ahoist and keep a cover on it too. Today I noticed the carpet in the ski locker was wet and moldy. When we got underway it began filling with water and did drain with bilge pump.

Reading other similar posts are scaring me. After putting it up for today on the hoist I checked for visible holes and saw nothing. I am new to maintaining the boat myself. Anyone have any Cobalt-specific advice? It has a Mercruiser IO engine.

I appreciate input!

Thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Boat taking on water

Welcome to iboats.

Based on the age of the boat - regardless of how it is stored..... you probably have a hole in the I/O Bellows Get the boat to a mechanic or DIY

Here are some iboats questions about the same thing....... BTW PLEASE feel free to read the old posts but do not post to them

https://www.google.com/search?q=boat:+bellows+leak+site:forums.iboats.com&safe=off&biw=1536&bih=757

 

[pyrotek]

Re: Boat taking on water

Water coming in is most likely not a fiberglass issue and more likely a bellows issue. It usually is the shift bellows, but could be the u-joint bellows as well.

Look along the back of the engine up against the transom for any water dripping down. Might need to get a mirror, flashlight, etc.

 

[rangies3]

Re: Boat taking on water

Welcome to iboats.

Based on the age of the boat - regardless of how it is stored..... you probably have a hole in the I/O Bellows Get the boat to a mechanic or DIY

Here are some iboats questions about the same thing....... BTW PLEASE feel free to read the old posts but do not post to them

https://www.google.com/search?q=boat:+bellows+leak+site:forums.iboats.com&safe=off&biw=1536&bih=757

Thank you for this. I will examine the bellows. Hopefully the point of water entry will be obvious.

 

[rangies3]

Re: Boat taking on water

Welcome to iboats.

Based on the age of the boat - regardless of how it is stored..... you probably have a hole in the I/O Bellows Get the boat to a mechanic or DIY

Here are some iboats questions about the same thing....... BTW PLEASE feel free to read the old posts but do not post to them

https://www.google.com/search?q=boat:+bellows+leak+site:forums.iboats.com&safe=off&biw=1536&bih=757

Water coming in is most likely not a fiberglass issue and more likely a bellows issue. It usually is the shift bellows, but could be the u-joint bellows as well.

Look along the back of the engine up against the transom for any water dripping down. Might need to get a mirror, flashlight, etc.

Will do. Are bellows easy to switch out? Are they a standard size (easy to buy) ? I am new to boat maintenance but fear the repair shops!

 

[zool]

Re: Boat taking on water

You havnt stated whether you have mercruiser/volvo/omc/ect....its not exactly easy, but for sure dooable. Both bellows are industry standard and readily available, oem and aftermarket, what ya got?

If its not the bellows, and your transom is compromised, the transom shield seal could be leaking, which is a much bigger isssue.