170 Bass Owners

[Davekfl]

Ever since I purchased my 2004 170 bass I have been working on solving the water intrusion in my bilge. I have done everything including tightening all hose clamps that I can get to, reseating the bilge drain assemblies, using different washers on the bilge drain plugs. I still get some water on the right side of the bilge but this is where all the aerator hoses are in addition to the aerator input pump and drain. I know there is another message posted about a crack in the aerator pump assembly but my problem is the limited access to the bilge. I just cant tell where the water is coming from. With the rear deck there is only the 6 inch access hole. Its tough working in the bilge by Braille. Heaven forbid I have to replace the aerator or bilge pump. This 6 inch access hole is just not large enough to see and get one hand down in the bilge. I am thinking of cutting two additional 4 inch access ports in the rear deck to the left and right of the existing access hole. These access ports would be right above the aerator pump and the bilge pump. This would allow me to atleast see and get two hands down in the bilge area. The rear deck cannot be easily removed since the motor is mounted over the rear lip of the deck which folds over the transom.
Any opinions on this?
DaveK ( Sarasota, Fl)

[yesndeed]

davek,
how much water is intruding into your bilge? Also, if it comes to replaceing your bilge pump, just remove the pump from its screwed down screen/holder by squeezing the two tabs...feel down there and you will see what i mean and get the same pump from either your dealer(warantee) or your friendly boating supply store. Or do like me when my new pump failed, get a warranteed pump, the wrong one of course, and trade your friendly boating store for the right one. Either way its easier than it ...feels

[Dick@merrittmarine]

Try raising the bow, then fill the boat with water, Then look for water leaking out of the boat. If it leaks out, it's leaking in.

Dick