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I bought my first Bass Boat not long ago. I was raised around ski boats but never been around Bass Boats. One of the problems I have noticed is that when I go accross the lake my bilge pump seems to pump alot of water. I can fish a cove for hours and turn the bilge on before I move and I get nothing. So, I fire her up and shoot to another spot and have to pump bilge when I get there. Thanks for any help.
When you come off plane are you just dropping her down or are you riding the wake to keep the back wash out of the boat?
I ease out of it. The transom tray(not sure of correct term) has seperate drains and doesn't seem to be able to drain to bilge area. But I have been extra carefull not to let a big wave swamp the back since I have noticed the problem.
Make sure the speedo water line, as well as the water pressure water line is not broken some where in the boat,,, if you have both of those gauges in your boat and one of them dont work that is probably the one.. also how much water are you getting out when you pull the plug after you put it back on the trailor?
Also check out the bottom edge of the rub rail along the back half of the boat. Make sure there is not a gap under the rub rail as this could allow water to spray up in there,
Your livewells may be allowing water to go over the top into the bilge. My boat is currently doing that. I need to silicone the top of the livewells.
Close off your drain plug and fill up your bilge. Look to see if you have water leaking out of the drain plug. This was my problem. Replaced the drain plug and presto...no more leak.
You can also close off your livewells and fill them with water. See if you have water coming out of your drain plug. If not, turn on the circulator pump and see....could be leaking somewhere there as well.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dirt2801 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Make sure the speedo water line, as well as the water pressure water line is not broken some where in the boat,,, if you have both of those gauges in your boat and one of them dont work that is probably the one.. also how much water are you getting out when you pull the plug after you put it back on the trailor?</TD></TR></TABLE>
This makes the most sense..water in the boat when he is running, dry when he is stopped....rub rails wouldn't be in the water when he was running and if it was water coming over the back when he stopped the pump would run when he stopped and not when he was running.....check the speedo tube http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif
Boat is in the shop getting a tune up. I will check these suggestion as soon as I get it back. The speedo tube seems pretty small for the amount of water I am getting. If I go say 3-4 miles I would guess I am pumping 1-2 gallons. Would that small tube put that much water in? My speedo does not work. My livewell pump needs replaced but my front livewell it fills to the water line of the boat.
SF - had the same thing happen to me, but only after I switched to a new fishfinder with different transducer. Seems I mounted it too low so it was sending a spray of water up against the transom while on plane. The water spray leaked into the bilge between the top cap and the transom of the boat causing the auto bilge to kick in while on plane - nothing at rest or trolling (no water spray!). I sealed the gap between the cap and transom with water proof silicone. I also raised the transducer to limit the water spray. I have a dry bilge again.
I bet your speedo tube has hole in it http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Skeeter ZX-190 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I bet your speedo tube has hole in it http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif </TD></TR></TABLE> http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif
Had the same thing happen on a used Stratos 201.... ended up being the silicon seal under the rub-rail on both sides of the boat was deteriorated. Running across the lake would force water under the rail, between the halves of the boat(top-hull) and flood the bilge turning on the pump ! Never leaked sitting still.
Removed rubrail, and pulled old caulking out and replaced with New !!!!
Could be your problem ???