What do I do if my boat is taking on water.

[CatFan96]

Will it really sink? the level flotation in my old Skeeter was tested a couple of times.
Had a sucker plug the overflow on the live well with the pump running at the dock, it gets low in the water but does not go to the bottom.

I wouldn't count on most boats floating when full of water. The outboard is just too heavy, and a jackplate makes it worse. I've seen 4 of at least a couple different brands with the bow tied to the dock and the outboard resting on the bottom.

[PRO V LE]

I thought it was required that boats under a certain length had to have level flotation.
I would have to go after the boat mfg. if my boat went to the bottom.
The Skeeter was a Wrangler model with a 150 V6 motor a full tank of fuel and 3 batterys all in the rear. The opening for the motor cables in the splash well was under water, so there was no doubt the boat was as full of water it could get. Turned the bilge pump on and it was floating again.

[Tyme2fish]

Call you congressman and ask for a special "bailout" for you.

[fisheater]

Call you congressman and ask for a special "bailout" for you.

Thats too good..lol

[BASSKING]

Call you congressman and ask for a special "bailout" for you.

i am still grinning over this one. thats classic. i have seen a boat sink at rough about 8 years ago. i do the same thing catfan does with my anchors so hopefully with a couple of good sized buckets you will be able to get out enough water to stop from sinking. pulling the drain plug out while moving forward does work if you havent took on too much water already.

[kygorski]

If you can safly reach the drain plug, pullit out and start moving, the water will siphon out, have done it. Check your bige pump as often as you can, if it isn't working, dont launch!My new boat at present does not have a bilge pump, I bought a bailer pump, and it will work, but why are you taking on water?My cousins brand new bass boat had a factory defect, the torque from the motor caused a seam leak at the transom, he needed to sue the company to have it fixed.But if all else fails, beach it!

[Stonewall2002]

If you can safly reach the drain plug, pullit out and start moving, the water will siphon out, have done it. Check your bige pump as often as you can, if it isn't working, dont launch!My new boat at present does not have a bilge pump, I bought a bailer pump, and it will work, but why are you taking on water?My cousins brand new bass boat had a factory defect, the torque from the motor caused a seam leak at the transom, he needed to sue the company to have it fixed.But if all else fails, beach it!

Im not taking on water. I was curious as to what to do if the occasion ever presented itself, or if I needed to help another angler on the water.

[dc chopper]

Call you congressman and ask for a special "bailout" for you.

YES!!!!! 750 billion would be just enough to buy the ranger of my dreams.... 40 ft long, 3 -300 hp Yamaha's ....800 lb thrust trolling motor... enough chicken lights on it to make it glow like a christmas tree..... and a radar to track down jet ski's and shoot them with a radar guided missle or 2. Oh yeah, that new Peterbilt truck to pull it with!

[motalot]

I don't know why you just don't stop the leak. That has worked every time for me...LOL

Another thing you can do is borrow someone elses bilge pump and connect it straight to the battery. Of course you would have your fast friend getting the bilge pump while you beach the boat on a flat. If the leak isn't that fast once you get the water out you might have a chance to get to the ramp.

Be wise Be Insured