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Is it normal to get water in the ski locker and also at the bottom of the engine compartment? Just wondering, because I can't store anything in the ski locker as it always gets wet when I'm out in the water. I can get it to drain by opening the bottom drain plug and driving the boat up a hill. Just wondering if this is normal.

What are you storing in the ski locker that can't get wet?? A dead hooker, I suppose?

Yeah, it's not uncommon. Most of us raise the bow as much as possible, and leave the drain plug out. This way it drains, and never really accumulates. I only store the ski "stuff" in that locker anyhow. I do leave the ski locker door, as well as anything else I can open, when the boat is put away. Seems to help keep it from getting mildew and such.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I used to get water in my ski locker because it would get in around the anchor locker due to the fact that the factory cover design did not cover that area (bad design) and it just drained into the ski locker. From there it went under the gas tank and into the engine bilge area. Bad design caused a lot of rot due to accumulated moisture. When I re-did the deck/stringers etc in the rebuild my main priority was keeping water out. I had the bow cover re-done to cover the anchor locker and got rid of all the carpet on the deck and in the ski locker (why did they put carpet there?) all it did was trap moisture and stink! It's all gelcoated 'glass now. My boat has been out on the mooring in big storms and does not get any water in the ski locker at all.

If you get water in the engine bilge area that's something you want to check out, when you put it in with a dry bildge look with a flashlight first before starting the engine. IF you see water then it could be from the transom seal, bellows, etc. If you don't see water till you start the engine it could be from any of the cooling hose connections, etc. Of course it can be from swimmers entering the boat too or rain as well, that's why to check you want to start with a dry bilge if you can...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Sorry... let me crearify my perspective...
When parked in the driveway, I get rain water in through trailering cover at the legs of the tower when it's really blowing. This ends up in the ski locker, and consequently the engine bilge. Keeping the bow up and plug out keeps accumulation to a minimum. I don't seem to "seep" water in from below when on the water, but I've only kept it in water for about a week at a time. I frequently bring along a bucket and scrub brush to do some house-keeping, so could be getting some more that I don't notice.

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

It is not normal that the water can get into the locker. You should look for the leak and fix it. If there is a hole then put some epoxy. If it is because of the cap then you should buy a replacement.

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Armada skis

Whoa whoa whoa, "it's NORMAL"??? That's like saying me cutting the grass in nothing but sunglasses is normal!!! All kidding aside there are only two reason's that I can think of that would be considered normal. Besides the two the I will mention I will first clarify.....It's not normal. There should never be water in the ski locker or bilge area unless #1. You leave the boat out in the elements (rain), even with cockpit and bow cover attached to the boat (assuming you have an open bow) the rain will often find its way in via a gap or area that has not been covered in the best way, or perhaps around the windshield area those sometimes lets water in. Or #2. You have people coming in from the water and into the boat. I noticed a fare amount of water in my ski locker area after tubbing and putting the tube inside the boat while heading back to our cottage. All that water will then collect in the ski locker/bilge area.

If you're not doing any of the above mentioned things and find water in those respective area's then there just might be a problem. Check the drain plug to be sure its seated/threaded on properly. I knew someone in the past the had the wrong drain plug in his boat. You could not tell it was the wrong drain plug because it threaded right on there with no problem. However, there were very small gaps between the threads of the boat fitting (female) and the actual plug itself (male). Perhaps the engine cooling system for the boat has a loose hose or clamp that might be leaking. One friend of mine left his boat at his cottage, came back after three days and the boat was sunk up to the top of the transom. He had a bellow (seal around in outdrive) was dry rotted and allowed it to leak right into the boat. Lastly the obvious, check for a hole in the boat.

Hope this helps.

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2011 H210 SS
MerCruiser 350 MPIC/Bravo I 300hp
"Crooked Wake"


Prior Boat
1999 Bayliner 1950 CL