1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Hello All!

I am a new to the boating world and the proud owner of a 1990 Mariah 1850XL. I scored the boat cheap but it has needed some work. I checked the archives, but there doesn't seem to be too much for the 1850XL and trouble shooting!

The issue I have is a small drain hole next to a couple of black hoses (seen in images attached (310/311). When I put the boat in the water it immediately starts taking on water and I don't even get it off the trailer before I have to pull it out. I don't know where the hole goes or what it is for.

The one part I thought was the issue was that the exhaust bellow to the motor was missing, but the guy at West Marine told me this wouldn't cause water to pour into the boat from that hole. Is that right? Water comes in even with the motor loweredAttachment 4675

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Attachment 4678.

I am hoping the community can come to the rescue for me and help explain what I need to do! Pictures attached for reference.

Thanks for the help,

- Chris

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Hey Chris. I am not familiar with your model, but that is definatley not an exhaust line. It almost looks to me like a drain line from a sink or something. Mine has little drains all over that take the water that can catch up on deck and drain it over the side. But the drains I am talking about would not be below the water line which this hole is if it is pouring in like you are talking about.
This is an interesting one. I am sure someone who is more familiar with this model will chime in and lend a hand. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

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Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Someone else who bought a used boat without putting it in the water first? Or was the price so good that it was worth the potential for problems? ok, rant over. The West Marine guy was correct. Having an exhaust belows missing wont allow water to enter your boat. Check your outdrive bellows to see if there are any splits or cracks. That, besides forgetting to put the bung hole (bilge) plug in are the two most common causes of water entry into the boat. Why not take it down to the boat ramp on a quiet day, leave it strapped to the trailer and have someone slowly back in until the stern is in the water while you are in the boat and see if you can figure out where the water is coming in?

As for that hole, i have no idea what it might be for but if i had to guess it's likely a drain hole for something on the rear deck and allows water to drain into the bilge and be pumped out by your bilge pump. If you want to trace it back, use a compressor and blow air back thru the hole and find where it comes out.

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Thanks for the quick responses guys!

Mikey, I got the boat and trailer for about a week's worth of groceries! And I am not kidding! haha...However, I did have the plugs in the boat and did exactly what you recommended on the boat ramp, but that is when water started coming in that hole. Supposedly all the bellows were replaced, but hey, you get what you pay for right??? I guess I will have to re-check all the bellows then and make sure they are not damaged. Also, tried blowing air through with compressor and it sounds its coming up through back rest of the seat...Didn't hear it come out of the boat anywhere....

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Ok, if the price was that good then you are forgiven. :) Use a compressor and blow air back thru that hole to see where it comes out. I had a quick look at the pics of a couple of other '90 - 1850XL's in our Gallery and didn't see anything obvious on the rear deck or transom.

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Hi Mikey,

I tried blowing air through with compressor, but couldn't hear it come out of the boat anywhere outside. It sounded as if it came up through the back seat.

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Thanks for the help Mikey, I think me and a buddy will be checking all the bellows this weekend:)

I'll be sure to let you know how I make out! Feel free to shoot me any suggestions if you have any ideas

Thanks again,

- Chris

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Then i think you are back to checking the outdrive bellows for cracks/splits and make sure it was properly installed. I'd still like to know where that drain hole leads though since you are certain that it is the place where the water is entering the engine area. Maybe someone who has one of the older boats will chime in tomorrow. For me, its now sleepy time. :(

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Thanks Mikey, I am with you since it's creeping up on midnight here in Boston. Wish me luck! haha

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

There isn't a screen looking fitting on the back of the boat , something like this:

[IMG]http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps8e61a801.jpg[/IMG]

If so , someone might have had a livewell hookup there at one time:confused:
Just a thought.

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

Hi Larry,

Not that I am aware of unfortunately...And I don't know the history of the boat. I'm hoping to get to the boat this weekend and look at the bellows again anyways. I have boast stored 45 minutes away so can't look now.

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

If you can, leave it on the trailer as you back it into water.
Try to find the point where the water comes in.
I use a gas powered leaf blower to find leaks in hot tubs...if you can get one it might help.
Do the basics like the drive, shift bellows, cooling lines, before looking for a leak and you might find the problem.
Don't look for a hull leak before the basic wear parts.

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

This may sound like a stupid question but have you put it on gear and actually seen the prop engage? My initial impression was it looks like the shift cable orifice. Although after looking at it again it is prob too lateral to the out drive... Alpha or Bravo?

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Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

I retract my last question. It clearly states Alpha on the motor! Apologizes

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Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

When you get a chance take some pictures of the transom (outside rear of the boat). Take a few side pictures as well (anywhere that you might see a hole in the boat lol). It's hard for me to imagine where that hole is based on the picture. Does it go straight through the backside of the boat?

Have you had a chance to start the motor and engage the drive on it? Have you bought a set of muffs and hooked it to a garden hose?

Does the boat have any signs of "fishing" equipment on it? electronis...perhaps rod holders.. cushions removed and replaced with carpeted boards like a deck on a bass boat.. etc? I looked at a Marada that started out as an open bow that someone decided to "modify" into a bass boat.. perhaps someone decided to add a live well and didn't get any further than the hole lol.

Good luck, keep us posted!

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

I have the same boat I will look today.

Re: 1990 -1850XL - Taking on water...HELP!!!
 

That is something aftermarket. My boat is 100% factory and has nothing in that area. Seal that hole up and you should be good to go.