Anybody here having some issues with water getting into the port and starboard rod boxes after rain?? seems to settle at the back of the box, where my rod handles are. Not sure where it would come from except the handle area??
Anybody here having some issues with water getting into the port and starboard rod boxes after rain?? seems to settle at the back of the box, where my rod handles are. Not sure where it would come from except the handle area??
I have the same issue with the battery box lid. Water leaks through the latch into the box. Not sure why some tend to leak and others do not or I just don't see as much water.
~ Dave
2022 Nitro Z21xl 250 ProXS
HDS Pro&Live 12 B&C/Ghost/AT2
which boat?
Bryan McDonough
2023 Nitro Z21 XL
Nitro Team
Z19 pro
I just got back from a trip to that went through some heavy rain and when I got home after vacuuming the carpet, I opened the starboard locker and it was soaked. Not sure why either. The port side I can assume the reels dripped water after stowing rods away after fishing in heavy rain. Following this post. 2019 Z20 pro as well.
2019 Z19 and my starboard rod box leaks as well.
“Without uncompromising faith, no miracle can ever occur.” - Stan Kellner
After investigating, I found a possible reason for the port side rod locker with water by the handle as noted. I too had water there as well. My theory is the cockpit getting full of water and then every time you brake or go downhill the water runs up underneath the plate for the passenger rods or drawer. I removed the plate and applied a small bead of silicone around the hole in the fiberglass. i also caulked the screw holes in the fiberglass before replacing the plate. I had removed the plate inside for the bottom row for the rod ends. That's when I could see light coming from the passenger foot rest plate.
The starboard front compartment was a little more tricky, my theory here is the cleat. Both cleats up front have drains that go nowhere but into the compartments. When I reached up to the cleat on starboard side water was dripping from the drain port. I remove the two drains from the cleat by pulling down on them, water definitely came out of it. This would explain why I had a puddle in the middle of the compartment a couple weeks ago. but not why the whole compartment was soaked this time. I glued the two drains together and while the glue was wet, I reinstalled the drain caps so the glue dries with them in place. Only glue the 1/4" tubing together. Don't use crazy glue, use a slow drying type(gorilla)
Port side cleat drain was dry. So I am thinking I need to remove the starboard cleat and reseal, anybody know the torque for these bolts?
Last edited by Andrebass; 03-16-2025 at 11:19 AM.
Do you have a picture of a cleat with a drain....I dont think I have ever seen one. When I added my finger flex trim switch to my helm I went to Nitro.com clicked on request info button and asked them for the tourque spec on the steering wheel nut. After giving them my hull number they were able to Have the local BPS service dept tell me the spec. Might be worth a shot............took a couple of days but I got the info I needed.
Last edited by Zone18; 03-16-2025 at 11:45 AM.
Love life....Love each other
I always suspect the rubrail may drip into the locker when it rains. a simple hose test can confirm. the top side of the rub rail is not sealed.
Bryan McDonough
2023 Nitro Z21 XL
Nitro Team
I do not, already took boat back to storage. If you set your phone for a selfie, you can take a picture of the two rubber caps I am talking about. Or reach up there and pull them down.Originally Posted by Zone18
I hear you on this, considering this is the side that is most often bumped when pulling up to a dock. I also can visualize capillary action happening with the wind forcing the water up and under top cap of boat. The walls of the compartment are not wet though.
In theory if your getting water in the hull from rain and you bash around in waves that could get your lockers wet.
Bryan McDonough
2023 Nitro Z21 XL
Nitro Team
Drove me nuts for years too until I figured out what you said, it's running from the cockpit floor to the back edge of the compartments. For me the starboard side it much worse than the rod locker side for whatever reason.
2020 Nitro Z20 Pro Package
Yes
But there's no cutout on the starboard side under the driver cockpit area. Brian might be true that the water for the same reason, is running up the hull and soaking the lockers from the front of the hull. It should soak both sides.
I am by no means trying to shut anyone down, I would love to go fishing in the rain and not worry about water in compartments. It's a PITA to have too unload the lockers.
PS I ordered a floor drying fan for the next time this happens.
2018 Z17 here. After fishing yesterday for 3 hrs in steady rain and wind I noticed that there was water pooled up in the bottom of the boat under the back starboard compartment when I lifted the storage box out. I’ve never really noticed until yesterday when I opened everything up to dry it out. I’m not sure if it’s done this the entire time I’ve had the boat or not.
Spent a week up at ClearLake and it rained for the first four days, a couple of them heavy down pours. Water got in the lockers and soaked everything. I did open one of the lids and immediately water drained off the lid and filled the gutter enough to overflow into compartment. My conclusion is that if it is a heavy down pour the only way to keep water out is to shrink wrap the boat!.
On another note... I did catch a 6~9 in the rain and winds. Worth every penny spent drying out the boat.
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