One bad hassle with my ZX(s)!

[reelman]

I have owned about 6 Skeeters as a loyal customer...currently a 2006 ZX 200...

for some strange reason, after fishing in a rain (like last Saturday T)...the passenger compartment (below) where you sit...gets about a quarter inch of water in the carpet...just like my 2002 ZX 200 did...why can"t Skeeter solve this? Do all the top bass boats have this hassle?

At least forget the carpet on BOTH sides under the seats if you can't stop this water...

I have been storing ALL belongings under both seats in used JIF jars and must Shop Vac the water out...and its always a lot more than a cup or two.

If most of the top bass boats have this weakness...Ranger, Bass Cat and Triton boats all have this flaw for example...I will take it all back as an impossible engineering problem...if ...I will take it all back and live with it...my bad.

If not...I would like SOMEONE to confirm this hassle and some Skeeter (dealer-staffer types) to post what-why of this situation...

[Bassbait]

My skeeter is the same way zx 250, my last boat a stratos never had any water problems including when fishing erie and spearing a wave. My take on this that I have noticed on my skeeter is the way the compartments are made there are holes in the walls where they dont seal to the hull of the boat. If you took a hose to the back compartment that water would run right up front where your feet are.

[K.D.]

Skeeter resolved this problem in 2007. It's been fixed on the ZX boats as well as the I-class.

Their is no longer storage under the seats. That's correct. They now use a "bottom less" seat design that's super strong padding. Your butt won't bottom out the seat in big water and you also can't open it up.

[reelman]

Great!
Now if somebody would post a way or two that keeps the water out...would also be great.
My only thought is to carry a large double thick plastic and place it under each seat as rain starts or before...I tried it once and a seat had a lot less water...maybe I should refine that solution if another cannot be found....

Glad to know that at least its not still a problem...

[Rich Z]

Here is what I found. My 97 zx had drain holes on both sides hidden under the back support cushion (bottom outside corners) that led the water into the bilge but once in a while they would plug up with dirt. My 02 zx doesn’t leak so I never had to clean out these drains and not even sure if they are there. I keep my gloves, hat, sunglasses, tp, prop wrench, small tools and everything stays dry. Also, check the seal around the edges that keeps the water from running into the compartment. If you don’t have these two drain holes I would suggest you get a ¼” drill and make some. How’s that?

[wildkat7]

Mine does it as well....rip out the carpet and it will stay dry better....about the only advice I can give.

[blackknife]

I bought some nice thick self-stick weather-stripping, and went around the hole with it. mine hasn't leaked since, but I don't do alot of fishing in the rain either.

[reelman]

Pictures would be so friendly...

I was thinking...maybe find a 1/4 inch high plastic...perhaps along 3 sides of the opening...assume front not needed?...use Marine 5200 epoxy I think its called...still have 2/3 of a tube...if I knew exactly the water path into the opening...that also is needed...
some sort of a lip would be better than drilling 1/8 holes so near the weight bearing area...

you would think that a water leak problem like this for model after model would produce a few sure fire solutions...???

[reelman]

I had some very wide and thick weatherstripping "tape"...did best I could on 3 sides of the opening...we shall see...only fish a T in the rain about 3x a year...may be awhile.

[Muddbugg]

I fought this problem in several Skeeters I owned. After careful research and consulting with experts in the hydrodynamics field, I concluded there are three options to fix your problem.

1. Remove all the carpet so that the compartment has the opportunity to drain.

2. Don't put nuttn under the seat!

3. Remove the carpet, then DON"T PUT NUTTN UNDER THE SEAT

Seriously, with the flat to flat seal, I've tried everthing to fix it, either keep it in water proof boxes or do not store.

[blackknife]

my boat is wrapped for the winter, so unfortunately I can't take pics. The way I see it, it's worth a shot. I think the weatherstripping cost me less than 10 bucks at Home Depot, and took all of 5 minutes to install

[1kickerfish]

I have tried several fixes and there is only one that works.

Remove the carpet, then DON"T PUT NUTTN UNDER THE SEAT.... What he said..

[reelman]

I have been putting all stuff inside those red topped JIF jars...that is my #1 way to stop stuff from getting wet or rusty...also they are great in the front compartment for holding Beavers and trailers...write color on the top with a Sharpie...I like the system...plus the smallest jar for papers, extra $10 and key...think about it...ask a few folks to save the jars for you and in a month...presto, a dozen free containers...