Taking on water

[TYager]

I recently purchased an 08 Crestliner 24' Pontoon boat. We have taken her out twice since purchased. 1st time out, noticed boat heavy in stern after 30 minutes. Did visual check of bilge and had quite a bit of water and prices of the bilge pump floating around. Pulled her out of the water - Replaced the bilge pump and float switch. Next time out on the lake the pump was running almost all the time. Still had a Great day but knew I had to find out why all the water. Now, the boat is Skinned on the underside of the deck - my question is; Should the seams/ overlap of the aluminum be sealed with silicone? Especially around the engine pod? I'm hoping that it would be something easy as sealing the seams. I've looked the best I could to check the exhaust bellows and all around the transom - everything looks ok. I've inspected the engine pod for deep scratches and punches as well as the welds for cracks - nothing there either.
So, could it be the seams on the skinned area ?? Or should I just get lubed up to have the Gimble resealed ? I appreciate any help anyone can give me.

 

[cj8mule]

exhaust bellows?? Your pontoon boat has a stern drive?

IMO silicone has very little use in a marine environment and especially below the water line.

--dave

 

[Scott Danforth]

If your bellows are 5 years old, replace them

 

[CrazyFinn]

exhaust bellows?? Your pontoon boat has a stern drive?

I had the same question - so I did some quick research. Crestliner apparently made some pontoons with Mercruisers.

Found a catalog from 2007 - scroll down to the pontoons:
https://www.crestliner.com/pdf/catalog-archive/Crestliner-Catalog-2007.pdf

 

[aspeck]

Before you fix it you have to find out where the water is coming from ... lift the engine cowling when it is in the water and see if you can visually see any water coming in. Then start her and see if there is any water intrusion. If you can't see any, when you pull it out of the water, look for water exiting the bilge. My guess would be bellows or possibly a leaking cooling hose/tube. But those are only guesses. It could be any number of things, but don't start throwing fixes at it until you know where the water intrusion is.

 

[Woodonglass]

Back it into the water until bellows is submerged Check for water intrusion