Boat taking on water

[motalot]

I have a 23 foot aft cabin. It takes on water. I have checked and replaced a through hull fitting. Checked the bottom and watched it in the water.

I am thinking one of the hoses on the out drive may be leaking.

How would I check that?

[Rowdy]

Probably the boot on the out drive.
Rowdy

[otis44]

Like Rowdy said, most likely coming from the outdrive. Depending on what kind you have, the older omc sterndrives had one large boot, and the mercruisers may have up to three hoses, for the shift cable, exhaust, water intake, etc. One thing I learned the hard way, I just had mine replaced was not to leave the motor trimmed up when in storage. This places unnecessary strain and causes premature failure on these parts.

[fishing4kids]

Hey Motalot,


Try filling the hull up with water on the trailer and see where it runs out. I dont know if it will work for your boat or not but sure worked for me in the past.

[motalot]

Thanks guys. I do leave the motor up as well. Good advice.

The mechanic had the out drive off last winter and the boot is probably what is leaking. I will have to go to Lake Cumberland and get it. Shucks.

Is there a way I can tell if the boot is leaking?

[Rowdy]

You should see it coming in as soon as you launch it with your motor compartment open, raise and lower with the trim.
Rowdy

[Doubledee]

The shift cable boot was leaking on my Mercruiser so I opted to replace all the rubber boots while we had the outdrive off.Figured it would save a little trouble down the road. Just my point of view.