8 replies to this topic

[cc2]

Anyone with a 97 speedster; how much water normally should be draining out of the drain plug after being on the water for several hours? I cannot find any water leaks in the bilge area but I have quite a bit water that drains out from the plug at the end of the day. The bilge pump does work when the water level gets high enough.

[ssmedt]

well my 2001 challenger is basically the same body as your speedster and i would say that i have probably about a leter come out; i don't think that my buldge has ever kicked on and i just attribute the water to doing spins and wakeboarding and such. how much water do you think comes out of yours?

[jonw9]

It really depends on what you have been doing.

Sometimes, I open the plug and get a small amount, like 1-2 liters.
Other times, when doing watersports, and having several people in and out of the boat swimming, I can drain what seems like gallons of water.

[cc2]

well my 2001 challenger is basically the same body as your speedster and i would say that i have probably about a leter come out; i don't think that my buldge has ever kicked on and i just attribute the water to doing spins and wakeboarding and such. how much water do you think comes out of yours?

I am taking a lot of water running out of the plug at a constant rate for ~ 3-6 min.

[jonw9]

I would leave it attached to the trailer and back it into the water.

Open the engine hatch and look for water coming in. Start one engine and see if you see any water coming from someplace. Then try the other engine.

[ssmedt]

have you ever noticed any water in any odd locations in the engine compartment? when i first bought my challenger i noticed water drips on the bottom side of the rear storage compartment (sitting on the foam) so looking at it my water inlet hose on my port engine had a small hole in it where it was clamped to the engine. replaced the hose and no more leak; so after running it for a little open the engine compartment and look for water in odd places

[fialoe]

I have the same problem with my 2000 speedster. However, after a lot of blood pressure to the braqin from being upsidedown I have figured it out. The seal around the exhausts seems to have deteriorated somewhat and there is a slight trickle of water making its way in at the water line when the boat is out and about or standing still. Over the course of a couple of hours this would fill the engine compartment to just below the engine base which would let water run for several minutes when recovering. This water of course can move to the front of the boat too. I would try checking areas like that out first before I would consider something sinister with the engine etc

[cc2]

I have the same problem with my 2000 speedster. However, after a lot of blood pressure to the braqin from being upsidedown I have figured it out. The seal around the exhausts seems to have deteriorated somewhat and there is a slight trickle of water making its way in at the water line when the boat is out and about or standing still. Over the course of a couple of hours this would fill the engine compartment to just below the engine base which would let water run for several minutes when recovering. This water of course can move to the front of the boat too. I would try checking areas like that out first before I would consider something sinister with the engine etc

Found a massive leak!

Water is coming from the joint where the top part of the boat is glued to the bottom part (the fiberglass joint that runs under the black rubber bumpers). The bumper is riveted to the fiberglass. It’s possible that the leak is from the rivets but the leak is so massive I think the seam between the two half’s of the boat has come apart. The leak only occurs when the swim platform is summered (while launching the boat or at speed when the back end gets below water line). I was only able to see this leak by following the suggestions on this forum. I did have to take the “hood” (engine cover off to get to see exatally where the leak was at and the leak ran along the joint that is clued to hold the bottom and the top of the boat. Anyone have this issue? If so, how to fix it?

[j1g1c1]

I've heard of this type of problem. Remove the bumper strip, separate the two hulls (upper and lower), remove any caulk at the seam, install new adhesive between the hulls, caulk the exposed seam, and and reinstall the bumper. Should take about a month to do, hope you have a crane available.