Thread: Water in bilge

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  1. #1
    Member drainplug's Avatar
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    Water in bilge

    ‘23 Sabre. Been out a couple times this Spring. Getting some water in bilge. I looked at some iius posts about speedo line. The speedo on boat is not worry. Where do I locate the hose in the bilge area to check?
    2023 BassCat Sabre FTD
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  2. Member
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    #2
    You should be able to open the back hatch and look/listen for drips. The fix may be as simple as tightening hose clamps.
    Richard Bates
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  3. Remember 1958's Avatar
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    #3
    Kind of ironic your username is drain plug

  4. Member
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    #4
    Does the Sabre have the rear facing scoop vent? If so, thats it. Water washes in on the sitdown from plane unless you pay really close attention and gas it hard.

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    #5
    If it’s a lot of water, and not drain plug, check that your live well flush valves didn’t get left open.

  6. CB_Sabre
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    #6
    I’ve had water in the bilge of my 2018 Sabre from day1. It got worse over time. All 3 thru hull fittings ended up leaking. Back your boat down the ramp far enough to get the rear in the water. Jump back there, open the lid, and stare at the 3 thru hull fittings. If those are sealed, then work you way through each hose clamp and pump housing coming back to the livewells from those 3 thru hull fittings. When I resealed all those fittings, I went ahead and replaced the livewell “Auto-Empty” valve. My control knob finally has that “detent” feel and works properly.

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    #7
    May not help but only time I've had water in the bilge, 05 Sabre was from a rubbed through speedo hose. I found my leak while night fishing, using a flashlight and listening for drips also. Dry it all out, back in the water or sit at the dock and you should see something.

  8. Moderator adchunts's Avatar
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    #8
    Don’t overlook bilge/livewell pumps either. I had one that the O-ring went bad and it took me way longer than it should have to figure it out.
    Aaron Campbell
    Barling, AR
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    #9
    My p2 had a cracked pump housing. Only leaked while it was running. I found it odd because my boat stays in a a climate controlled garage. Change the pump. Been good since.
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    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Dstacks7 View Post
    Does the Sabre have the rear facing scoop vent? If so, thats it. Water washes in on the sitdown from plane unless you pay really close attention and gas it hard.
    This is my issue with the cougar...

  11. Member PumaDave's Avatar
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    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by 1958 View Post
    Kind of ironic your username is drain plug
    Was thinking the same thing!

  12. Member drainplug's Avatar
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    #12
    Quote Originally Posted by 1958 View Post
    Kind of ironic your username is drain plug
    I am not so sure it is not the drain plug. Dropped the azz end of the boat in at the ramp Friday while still on the trailer, crawled back for a look and there was already a little water in the bilge. I think I am going to remove the unit, clean it up get some underwater sealant and a new “O” ring. Need to find out the O-ring size .

    Anybody know “O” ring size on an Atwood stainless drainplug?
    Last edited by drainplug; 03-30-2025 at 11:38 AM.
    2023 BassCat Sabre FTD
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    #13
    It is not uncommon for that o ring to be the culprit. I had that in one of Pumas a while back. I was surprised at just how much water the leaky o ring was allowing into the boat while fishing. The other thing that you can do in the driveway is put the plug in, fill the bilge area with water using your garden hose, and see if the leak is around that plug.
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  14. Member tonybfishing's Avatar
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    #14
    I had that problem once, it ended up being a hole in the line for the water pressure gauge. The more I ran the motor, the more water I had in the bilge.
    I BELIEVE!!!! 1A, 2A, VET!