Water in Center Locker

[TomMcCauley]

New boat...can someone tell me why there would be standing water in the center storage locker of my 03 VLX? The plug to the back has been pulled, but the water doesn't drain. I've checked the drain hole, and there is what appears to be a cable in the way, but there is plenty of room for the water to drain past it, albeit it slowly. Yet it isn't draining. I've pulled the floor hatch where the fuel tank is and while there was a little water in there but not much. Is this just a matter of pulling the rear plug and driving uphill? Seems odd, though because it seems to always fill up, regardless of whether the boat got water in it (rain), etc. Our boat stays pretty dry. The ballast bag does not appear to be leaking, and this fills up with water even when we don't use that bag.

Seems like a pretty simple thing, but I don't get it. Am I missing something?

[Bill_AirJunky]

The center locker is typically the lowest point in the bilge while the boat is at rest (on the water or on the trailer). If you get the boat up to around 10 or 15 mph (with the bow up), open the locker & plug the drain hole, then if your lucky water won't make it's way forward any more (although every boat I've ever had that plug leaked).

The center locker is typically worthless for storing anything other than garbage or a locker sack in it.

Your probably taking on water thru the prop packing or some fitting in the engine or stern of the boat. Look up packing on this forum & you'll find plenty of discussion about it. Other guys will find a loose hose, or leaky bolt holes in the swimstep. The trick will be finding it. Open everything up, start the engine & get in there & cozy with it till you find what is leaking.

Edited May 17, 2011 by Bill_AirJunky

[Pistol Pete]

The center locker is typically worthless for storing anything other than garbage or a....

ski.

Edited May 18, 2011 by Pistol Pete

[Bill_AirJunky]

ski.

For a short time..... unless you like'em moldy & slimey.

Although, I bet yours was dry a lot last year....

Edited May 18, 2011 by Bill_AirJunky

[TomMcCauley]

The center locker is typically the lowest point in the bilge while the boat is at rest (on the water or on the trailer). If you get the boat up to around 10 or 15 mph (with the bow up), open the locker & plug the drain hole, then if your lucky water won't make it's way forward any more (although every boat I've ever had that plug leaked).

The center locker is typically worthless for storing anything other than garbage or a locker sack in it.

Your probably taking on water thru the prop packing or some fitting in the engine or stern of the boat. Look up packing on this forum & you'll find plenty of discussion about it. Other guys will find a loose hose, or leaky bolt holes in the swimstep. The trick will be finding it. Open everything up, start the engine & get in there & cozy with it till you find what is leaking.

OK...will check it out and see what I find. Thanks for the advice!

[WakingMeHappy]

If you're just trying to drain the water out get it in a bow up position.

[Ndawg12]

If the loading ramp isn't busy I'll pull the boat out of the water and pull the transom plug while I unload everything. Keep in mind, for what ever reason, that plug is still an inch or so up from the bottom of the bilge so there still might be a half gallon of water left, depending on your angle, but that's good enough for me.