where can water be getting in + cost?

[SUNB15]

So we were enjoying boating with our '90 220 DA when i wandered out of a channel and hit some 2 or 3' water, the outdrive got buried up to middle of the prop in sand and after getting out it looks like theres small waterfall when you look over the 5.7 merc from within the outdrive opening. When i had the pumps off for an hour got several inches of water under the engine. I was afraid there was a crack in the hull or the outdrive got ripped out literally but after pulling boat out of the water everything looks fine. My question is what can be damaged to let all this water in? Something tells me the seal you put on before you mount the outdrive is not the issue, that area looks fine, i guess its more towards the hull itself? I mean it cant be the middle area where the actual "driveshaft" enters because that area is enclosed and always stays dry anyway...or am i assuming too much and i could both be getting water in the bilge and having the driveshaft and parts that hate water being submerged in it? Im probably going to leave this up to a mechanic due to safety issues i was just wondering what you guys think it could be and possible cost to fix. Forgot to mention power tilt and steering work fine.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: where can water be getting in + cost?

I know a guy he had the boat on the trailer and ran water into the bilge to see where it was coming out the boat to find a leak.

 

[SUNB15]

Re: where can water be getting in + cost?

thats not a bad idea, ill try it, i just hope way out will be same as way in

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: where can water be getting in + cost?

sounds like a drive shaft bellows got compormised.. it could have been like that a while and you never noticed because the bilge pumps just took care of any excess water coming in....

Put the boat on the trailer and raise the drive up all the way and examine the rubber bellows that connectect between the drive and the tansom assembly. There should be 3... 1 for the shift shaft, one for the exhaust, and one for the drive shaft....

By the way I used to have the exact same boat, the SR 220 DA... Loved it.

 

[SUNB15]

Re: where can water be getting in + cost?

ya its a nice boat, big step though from my original screen name (sunbird 15) but much more comfortable and not scary on large waves.

as for the problem, i dont think it was there before the hit, im always listening to things inside the bilge and never heard a constant trickle. never had anyone at the gas pump tell me im bilging water way too often either. i looked at the rubber bellows and did not see anything but i will stick my hand in there and feel it + add water to the bilge as suggested. it just seems like a hit to the outdrive from the front would if anything try to separate the outdrive from the hull along the bottom edge/bolts but thats just my theory ill look at the bellows first

 

[Fishermark]

Re: where can water be getting in + cost?

I would second the "adding water to the bilge" thought. Just be careful not to add so much as to submerge the starter, etc.

You might also want to check the two lowest bolts that hold the transom assembly on. They are aluminum and can get corroded and eaten up. If the transom has any soft spots, it can allow the transom assembly to leak due to the transom flexing.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: where can water be getting in + cost?

I hope it's not a rotten transom. If you do take it all off to reseal poke around with a screw driver.

Good luck.