Water in Boat

[Safariman427]

The boat is a 2007 180 Challenger. The center compartment where the paddles usually go, always has a few inches of water in it. The craft just sits there in the water for a couple of days, no rain and when I want to use the boat, sure enough some water is present. Any ideas were the water is getting in. Thanks.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Boats almost always have water in them. That said, it's normal to have a slight drip around the jet pump drive shaft seal where the shaft exits the hull. If excessive then a new seal will nearly stop it completely. If you have a weedless grate there's a control rod the goes through the hull, and there are at least 20 other places.

Just a few swimmers/skiers getting in and out of the boat brings in a surprising amount of water.

I think if your bilge pump cycles more than once every day or two there's too much water leaking.

 

[Safariman427]

Thank you Sportster-2001-951C-Stock for your reply. But
My water problem is in the center compartment at the deck level. I should have provided a photo. The center compartment has two holes in the walls at the rear of the compartment. One hole is in the rear wall just above the floor that seems its purpose would be to allow the water to be discharged because of the angle of the boat at rest.
Another hole is in the side wall 2 inches at the rear of the compartment above the previous hole.
No rain was present and the boat had no usage and just sat there for two days.
Water does not seem to escape from either of these two holes in the center ccompartment.

 

[pvamax]

I have a bit of water in my compartment after every day on the water. Think it's normal for these, unless it's filled of course. The drain in there just goes to the engine compartment and there's hardly ever enough water in the engine compartment to activate the bilge pump . Mine is a 08 c180.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Oh yes Safariman of course, you're asking about the deck scuppers. Water shouldn't enter from outside the boat up through the scupper onto the deck.

I assume your external waterline is very close to the same level as your deck scuppers, as mine is. This does make drainage of the last bit rather slow but this doesn't seem to be the issue you're describing.

So my thought is, it's possible the scupper valve on the outside of your hull at the transom isn't sealing correctly. There might be a damaged silicone sealing gasket or some leaves, twigs and debris might have fallen onto the deck at some point and then washed down through the scupper hose causing the external scupper valve to remain wedged open. Assuming the external scupper valve assembly isn't sealing as intended, this can allow external surf surge to travel up onto deck through the scupper hose leading from outside the boat.

I apologize but for some reason I'm unable to locate/share the exploded view isometric drawing of the Challanger 180 scupper plumbing but I'd suggest attempting to flush the scupper system with water and/or pressurized air using a shop vacuum cleaner to try removing any debris, and also remove if necessary and inspect the external scupper valve on the stern for some kind of damage.

 

[JPass]

Scupper plumbing:

 

[Safariman427]

Thanks again, I'll definitely get the boat out of the water and check that Scupper Valve. Or else I'll go for a swim and see what I can see.

 

[pvamax]

Thanks again, I'll definitely get the boat out of the water and check that Scupper Valve. Or else I'll go for a swim and see what I can see.

Ok now I'm pretty sure you are still talking about water where the paddles go, the compartment in the middle of the boat, correct? If so, the scupper has nothing to do with this.The scupper is deck water release, if you have water on the floor where your feet are then the scupper is the issue. The first response regarding driveshaft carbon seal is correct, because that engine compartment water gets into the center ski/paddle compartment via the holes you see at the back on center compartment.

 

[Safariman427]

Many thanks, I'll get the dealer to replace the driveshaft carbon seal.

 

[pvamax]

I would have them inspect it first, because these boats will always let a little water through that point. That's why seadoo says not to store them in the water overnight. What you are experiencing may be normal...