"Jim Woodard" wrote in message
...

Can anyone tell me why I get a significant amount of water in the bilge
every time I take my Sea Ray out on the water?

Some amount is inevitable.

If you wash the boat then it is quite likely that water gets sprayed into
the vents.

When you run the boat, water can often spray in.

If people swim and/or ski and climb back into the boat wet then they will
bring water in with them.


The amount that you describe sounds like a bit more than what I would
attribute to these causes, so you may have a leak. While a slow leak
doesn't represent a significant danger of sinking it can have long term
effects on the boat. The transom usually has wood that provides the
strength, and if the leak causes this wood to get wet it can rot and that
would be very bad.

My suggestion is to try to establish when and where the leak is coming from.
Before you start boating, open the engine hatch and inspect the bilge. Dry
it out with a towel if you have to. Launch the boat and let it sit for a
few minutes, then look for any water.

If it is still dry, start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes.
Inspect again.

Take it for a short run, being careful not to take any water over the side.
Inspect again.

Once you see water, try to establish if it is coming from the front or rear.

If you establish that the leak is coming from the outdrive then you really
need to stop the leak. You may need to change the rubber boot in the
outdrive or re-seal the mounting holes.

Rod