2019 Tracker PT 175 60 HP Taking On Water

Thornback · February 04, 2019, 06:16:40 PM

Took the boat to the lake this morning for testing. After several power runs back and forth across the lake I was thinking there was no leak. Later I did see some water in the bilge. During the day and after several other runs (I was fishing and moving around) the water increased but not up to the level the bilge pump could pick it up. It seemed to me it wasn't leaking as much as before. Then upon returning to the ramp and pulling the plug about a half gallon of water poured out. Again this is a lot less than before. I think I will tighten the motor mount bolts a little tighter and test it again next week when i get a free day. Stay tuned.

Goldstar225 · February 04, 2019, 08:05:02 PM

If you tighten the bolts after the sealant has set, you may create a leak by breaking the seal. Besides, IIRC the bolts are supposed to only be torqued to 50-55 lb/ft.

Flat Rock · February 04, 2019, 09:05:28 PM

I have to ask a question only because no one has asked you and its something in plain sight.

Are you using the built in cooler for drinks and stuff ? That melting ice drains in the bottom of the boat. Its either pumped out by the bilge or when you remove the plug.... I have the same boat and I have to place a tub under the drain hole until the ice finishes melting.

Thornback · February 05, 2019, 07:59:47 AM

Thanks for the replies/thoughts guys.
--The boat is already leaking therefore I believe I can gamble by more tightening of the motor mount bolts. If tightening produces a worst leak then I'll just pull the motor and reseal. In the quest to locate the source of the leak I'm grasping for straws.
--I have never put ice in the built-in ice chest.

gatorglenn · February 09, 2019, 07:48:02 AM

The keel seam from bow down the center keel. Where it ends under the boat. Could be pulling open while on plane. Just a thought.

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Thornback · February 09, 2019, 08:33:32 AM

When I put the "dam" across the bilge the first sign of water came from the stern of the boat.

gatorglenn · February 09, 2019, 10:01:14 AM

Quote from: Thornback on February 09, 2019, 08:33:32 AM
When I put the "dam" across the bilge the first sign of water came from the stern of the boat.

Yes I remember reading that now. This is a head scratcher. The holes on the speedo. You say you taped the hole on the lower uint. Right. The only thing left I can think of is Rub Rail. At WOT the water should not be hitting it. But I have seen where a weld is cracked under the rub rail( on the hull) and the spay was getting in. But no water intrusion sitting at rest, or idling around.

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Thornback · February 10, 2019, 09:05:12 AM

Thanks gator -- I'll take a close look at the rub rail -- both in the garage and when underway next time I go fishing.

Bud Kennedy · February 10, 2019, 09:26:28 AM

I fully realize that this is a pain trying to figure out what is happening. Let alone all of us offering our guesses as to the problem. With this being said.........I have one more thing to check that I don't see mentioned but you may have already checked. This is just a guess while trying to come up with what the cause of the problem might be.

As a long shot.......Have you checked the viability of your drain plug. I understand that it is new but just wondering if this might have a bit of a sealing problem that is letting some water to be forced into the bilge area when under power? I have heard of this with snap style plugs with some reporting the problem stopped after putting in a new screw style plug.

Thornback · February 10, 2019, 06:25:59 PM

Bud -- I welcome all suggestions or questions. I think i can answer most questions as to my findings and tests. The origin of the leak is frustrating but I am fighting off the stress and glad I can use the boat anytime I want to go fishing. You mentioned the drain plug -- I used marine sealant around the port and use a screw type expansion plug. I have tightened it hand tight and the boat leaked. I have tightened it tighter with pliers and the boat leaked. I have felt inside the port and it is smooth all around. But before my next outing I'll change to one of my extra screw type expansion plugs. Who knows, maybe a different plug will make a difference.

Bud Kennedy · February 10, 2019, 07:03:29 PM

Glad you understand that we are all just trying to help. I really hate that you are having this problem with no real isolation of what ever the problem is. It is truly unfortunate that Tracker can't be more helpful or positive with trying to resolve or at least isolate the problem. At least for now you can live with it but I do wonder how it will do over a normal ownership cycle of multiple years. Just a darn shame. I have an acquaintance that has a similar problem with a Ranger RT Series hull that never was resolved so he traded it in and got a phoenix. Maybe some problems are the type that never are resolvable. Anyway, who knows maybe the new drain plug will help but I don't have high hopes only best wishes.

FishSeeker · February 10, 2019, 10:00:40 PM

Another potential cause; I haven't had this problem with my Tracker but I read a post a few years ago on another forum that a known cause of water intrusion was an incomplete seal between the gunnel cap/rail where it is attached to the hull, especially near/at the transom where water is pushed up underneath the top rail while under power. It was recommended to run a thick bead of marine silicone up underneath the top rail exterior where it meets the hull. The silicone fills a gap between the underside of the top rail and the hull and cannot be seen unless looking up under there. May be worth a try?

gatorglenn · February 11, 2019, 10:30:14 AM

This is what I was getting at.

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Thornback · February 11, 2019, 03:10:10 PM

When examining the gunnel cap/rail seam at the hull it appears higher or maybe the same level as the "notch" in the transom where the motor is mounted. I would think if water was coming in the gunnel cap seam it would also be coming over the notch in the transom. I may run a bead of marine sealant as suggested. I'm willing to try almost anything.

Princeton_Man · February 15, 2019, 06:44:58 AM

Quote from: Thornback on February 11, 2019, 03:10:10 PM
When examining the gunnel cap/rail seam at the hull it appears higher or maybe the same level as the "notch" in the transom where the motor is mounted. I would think if water was coming in the gunnel cap seam it would also be coming over the notch in the transom. I may run a bead of marine sealant as suggested. I'm willing to try almost anything.

Here's a suggestion that might help track down where the water is entering or at least where it isn't. Pick up a couple tubes of water indicating paste. They use it to indicate water in fuel tanks by putting line of it on a tank measuring stick and lowering it to the bottom of the tank. The paste changes color when it contacts water.

I'd use something like duct tape below the places you believe water may be entering and put the paste on the tape. You can use all kinds of things to put test pieces up in the hull. If you have a floor drain, put the paste on the end of a ruler and slide it down in the drain. Pull your front seat post and do the same thing with a dowel rod. Make a short run and check your tape and sticks.

https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/products.php?mi=33791&itemnum=76561&redir=Y

https://www.amazon.com/Gasoila-Regular-Water-Finding-Paste/dp/B00207LS5M/ref=asc_df_B00207LS5M/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167156418710&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13526980750031844161&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010604&hvtargid=pla-332190402714&psc=1

Deadeye · February 16, 2019, 07:16:10 AM

I have stopped getting the occasional leak in my boat.

I took off the o-ring that was on the screw-in plug and put a new one on.

Now when I screw the plug in I feel a definite seating of the plug. And no more water.

Thornback · February 17, 2019, 07:39:14 AM

Water indicating paste sounds like an idea I might want to try. As for the drain plug I have tried 3 different plugs but the boat still leaks. Last Friday, due to a slight bump against the dock when loading my boat back on the trailer, about 6 inches of the rubber strip popped out of the grove at the rear of the rub rail. The plastic cap covering the spot where the rub rail and transom meet had been missing for some time unbeknownst to me -- Appears it was knocked off and I'm not sure how or when that happened. Maybe water was coming in where the cap was missing. The dock bump and repair is a long story so I'll just say all is repaired now and I'll check for a leak next time I put the boat in the water.

Thornback · February 23, 2019, 06:37:04 AM

Had the boat out yesterday for a 4 hour fishing trip. Moved around the lake about 6 times, powering up and running at fast speed each time. Noticed a slight amount of water in the bilge but it was too low for the pump to pick up. Back on the ramp I pulled the plug and it seemed the amount of water that poured out was much less than before. I still want to seal a few more seams before my next trip. I'm hoping I'm on to something.

Flat Rock · February 23, 2019, 11:26:50 AM

Quote from: Thornback on February 23, 2019, 06:37:04 AM
Had the boat out yesterday for a 4 hour fishing trip. Moved around the lake about 6 times, powering up and running at fast speed each time. Noticed a slight amount of water in the bilge but it was too low for the pump to pick up. Back on the ramp I pulled the plug and it seemed the amount of water that poured out was much less than before. I still want to seal a few more seams before my next trip. I'm hoping I'm on to something.

I'm glad to see you are making headway with your situation... I've been paying close attention to my new 175 as I was seeing water too at first, but I was also using the built in cooler too.

I went out for about 4 hrs the other day when there was a break in the rain. After loading up at the ramp, I pulled the plug and not a single drop... so that was a relief since I was seeing water the last 3 times I went out and I couldn't tell you how much was from the ice and how much was from who knows where.

Thornback · February 23, 2019, 11:31:52 AM

Good for you. "Not a single drop" is my goal.

Thornback · February 28, 2019, 06:44:13 PM

Was out fishing this morning and moved the boat about 6 times over 3 hours. I saw some water in the bilge and when back on the trailer and on the ramp incline I pulled the drain plug. I'm guessing about a half gallon of water poured out. It does seem whatever I have done has reduced the amount of water the boat is taking on. I just don't know what else to do. I guess I'll just live with the leak.

WTodd · February 28, 2019, 06:46:48 PM

Do you have access to a couple of Go Pro cameras? If so maybe you can place them in different spots to film it while you're moving around.

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Oldfart9999 · March 01, 2019, 05:52:28 AM

For what you paid for that boat you shouldn't have to put up with it, have them replace the hull.
Rodney

Thornback · March 01, 2019, 07:30:47 AM

Thanks guys.
--I do have a GoPro camera and I might try to mount it under the deck. Problem is getting access under the deck and how dark it is. I might be able to find a spot to jury-rig the mount and I could light up the bilge with a couple of lanterns. There is a lot of hardware under the deck and it's hard to see all areas of the hull and plumbing. But an interesting idea and worth thinking about.
--Getting a replacement hull may require legal action. The problem is not worth the trouble to me. I think should the factory be contacted they would tell me to have the dealer solve the problem. That would make sense because the source of the leak has not been determined. The dealer may be willing to "work" on the problem but that renders me without a boat. To me the problem is not serious enough to leave my boat with the dealer for months or even weeks while they "work on" the problem in their spare time. I have spoken at length with the maintenance manager who took my boat out and ran it but could not find the leak. A gallon of water in the bilge after being on the water for 4 hours does not consume my life. I know many are saying it's the principle and I should not tolerate a leak. But I also weigh my options. Besides I'll be turning 80 on my next birthday and I'm not sure how many more years I will be fishing or owning a boat

Bud Kennedy · March 01, 2019, 07:46:39 AM

It is really good at your age to still be doing the boat thing. I hope to still be boating at 80 but that is a few years away. I love it when folks keep on keeping on. Good for you.