How much water in the bilge is too much?

[atlps190]

The rains from Dennis have taken my lake level up WAY higher than normal...and I'm kicking myself for thinking that this couldn't happen...

The boat sits on a (non-floating) lift and I usually take out the center drain plug (and prop the engine box open) to keep a bit of air circulating. When the lake rose, the water definitely came up high enough to make it through the drain plug hole and filled the bilge (not sure how high), but when I checked earlier this evening after the water level has since gone down, the floor was dry - I'm pretty sure the water didn't made it up to the floorboards. However, my neighbor did say that at its highest, the water level was higher than the exhaust outlets (still just below the platform) for a short while.

Fortunately, the boat didn't move on the lift, but I'm not sure if there has been any engine / component damage. The water level is currently just below the drain plug hole, so I put the plug back in and tied up the boat just in case the water goes back up.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[ski_king]

Sounds like the water level was about up to where it would normally float. Other than the starter, which was probobly under water, I wouldn't think you have any other problems.
Might be a good idea to get the starter checked out and lube the bendix if it was under water.

[east tx skier]

I'd go ahead and check the oil while you're at it.

[shepherd]

...transmission fluid too, though it should be ok.

[Cloaked]

My guess is it's OK.... Water in the oil or tranny has to get at least another (relative to as described) 3-4" just to spill into the tranny dip, and that is rubber sealed IIRC....

Never hurts to change the oil and check for water though. If it's in the oil, I'd change out the tranny fluid. Otherwise... fire it up and get on about yEr biZ.... :cool:

$0.02

[ski_king]

Yes check all fluids for water and might be a good idea to give the rudder a shot of grease while you are at it.

Never trust anything with the name Dennis.

[gene dobies]

The rains from Dennis have taken my lake level up WAY higher than normal...and I'm kicking myself for thinking that this couldn't happen...

The boat sits on a (non-floating) lift and I usually take out the center drain plug (and prop the engine box open) to keep a bit of air circulating. When the lake rose, the water definitely came up high enough to make it through the drain plug hole and filled the bilge (not sure how high), but when I checked earlier this evening after the water level has since gone down, the floor was dry - I'm pretty sure the water didn't made it up to the floorboards. However, my neighbor did say that at its highest, the water level was higher than the exhaust outlets (still just below the platform) for a short while.

Fortunately, the boat didn't move on the lift, but I'm not sure if there has been any engine / component damage. The water level is currently just below the drain plug hole, so I put the plug back in and tied up the boat just in case the water goes back up.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Why would you want to take the drain plug out. Also seems like you need to keep it higher on the lift.

[atlps190]

I always take out the plug when I put the boat on the lift...it's just habit to let what got in there drain out after being on the water for a day. And I do subscribe to the "let as much air circulate in the bilge as possible" philosophy.

I never would have thought the water level could have risen that much so fast that my lake couldn't handle it...normally the bottom of the fins are at least 12 to 16 inches above the water when the lift is in its full up position.

My neighbor, who has one of those twin jet Yamaha "wakeboarding" boats, and keeps it on a lift, right next to mine. His boat went AWOL and some neighbors down the lake helped bring it back. Lots of other boats on the lake that were tied up to fixed docks were either floating unbelievably "****-eyed" or had ripped cleats right out of the wood because there wasn't enough slack in the lines.