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Author Topic: 1997 245 Explorer questions  (Read 4956 times)

October 18, 2009, 06:03:43 AM
Reply #30

RickK

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #30 on: October 18, 2009, 06:03:43 AM »
My fishbox hatch channel drains right into the bilge in the aft, so that is how water gets into my bilge.  You can see the drains in this pic:


That mistake was fixed on '93 and newer models, from what I've seen.  Little cutouts were made in the back of the channel and water drains into the engine well and out the scuppers, as it should.
Not sure of the hatch layout on your year and model.  Have you checked where the bait wells under the helm seats drain? Mine drain straight overboard on each side of the boat.
Rick
1971 "170" with 115 Johnson (It's usable but not 100% finished)

1992 230 Explorer with 250 Yamaha

October 19, 2009, 08:25:14 PM
Reply #31

Capt. Bob

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #31 on: October 19, 2009, 08:25:14 PM »
I have the notches in my 91 but that section of the lid traps the water and doesn't allow it to reach the transom drains. It must just fill up and overflow into the bilge. :scratch:
You have me thinking about notching out the cover in the back to allow better flow. :idea:
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

October 28, 2009, 09:57:45 AM
Reply #32

cdoyal

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #32 on: October 28, 2009, 09:57:45 AM »
This mystery has not been solved yet. My boat has channels coming out of the back of the fish box that direct the water to the two drains at the bottom of the transom so I still don't know how the water gets in there. My boat's settled in for a long winter nap under a tarp so next spring, I'll stick my head in the bilge and start spraying a hose around.
1997 245 Explorer w/225 Johnson Ocean Runner

October 28, 2009, 12:11:02 PM
Reply #33

RickK

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #33 on: October 28, 2009, 12:11:02 PM »
Well just because winter has almost arrived, don't be a hibernating member, we need the company  :wink:
Rick
1971 "170" with 115 Johnson (It's usable but not 100% finished)

1992 230 Explorer with 250 Yamaha

October 28, 2009, 12:12:40 PM
Reply #34

RickK

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #34 on: October 28, 2009, 12:12:40 PM »
Quote from: "Capt. Bob"
I have the notches in my 91 but that section of the lid traps the water and doesn't allow it to reach the transom drains. It must just fill up and overflow into the bilge. :scratch:
You have me thinking about notching out the cover in the back to allow better flow. :idea:
Check the front side of the cover - maybe the PO turned it around? :lol:
Rick
1971 "170" with 115 Johnson (It's usable but not 100% finished)

1992 230 Explorer with 250 Yamaha

October 28, 2009, 12:13:48 PM
Reply #35

Capt. Bob

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #35 on: October 28, 2009, 12:13:48 PM »
Here's something for you to ponder over the long winter.



The scan quality isn't good but...
The photo on the left is a stringer grid which may resemble yours. I'd bet its pretty close.
The one one the right is a cockpit also similar to yours. Both pics are for the 97 model year.

First, it becomes apparent that there are "several" areas where water may occupy the inner hull.
Since a big marketing factor with these models was the "plumb bow" allowing for a more forward cockpit, water can and does collect in the forward bilge. As Rick posted earlier, even with the boat/trailer raised, water will still remain in that bilge and maybe other forward areas.
The egress for that water is down the centerline of the keel. The portion in the dead center of that photo is where the tank resides. You have to look very close but you can make out the 2" pipe that allows water into this compartment from the forward bilge. The water traverses this compartment by traveling under the tank supporting board and out into the rear bilge via another 2" pipe located at the rear of this compartment. The idea (my thought) is this allows water that would enter the tank compartmet to be carried out the back to the bilge.
Changing gears on ya, this very design allows water to enter the tank well from the front bilge and when the boat just sits so does the water in the well. Many of us know what happens to the aluminum tank when it constantly sits in water. 225 EX owners don't suffer this fate due to a poly tank. I believe your's is aluminum.

Lastly the photo on the right was meant to show the channels you mentioned. Impossible to see if you don't know where to look :?:  but none the less, they do channel some water but every design like this that I've experienced on Aqua hatches is about 50/50. That is 50% clears and 50% goes in the hatch. The reason IMHO is that the channels are just too small to handle large amounts of water (think hard rain).

Good luck. :thumleft:
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

October 28, 2009, 12:17:14 PM
Reply #36

Capt. Bob

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #36 on: October 28, 2009, 12:17:14 PM »
Quote from: "RickK"
Quote from: "Capt. Bob"
I have the notches in my 91 but that section of the lid traps the water and doesn't allow it to reach the transom drains. It must just fill up and overflow into the bilge. :scratch:
You have me thinking about notching out the cover in the back to allow better flow. :idea:
Check the front side of the cover - maybe the PO turned it around? :lol:

Maybe not the PO but the current owner.  :scratch:
I'll take a second look.
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

October 28, 2009, 01:19:00 PM
Reply #37

cdoyal

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #37 on: October 28, 2009, 01:19:00 PM »
Wow, Bob. A resource like you is invaluable! Thanks for the explanation. Here's what I don't get: Isn't the drain for the fish box attached to a pump so even if water gets in the box, it would just sit there until pumped out? How would it get into the bilge?
Regarding my aluminum tank, it that thing ever rusts out, what's involved in replacing it? Cutting a big hole in the floor?
1997 245 Explorer w/225 Johnson Ocean Runner

October 28, 2009, 02:52:54 PM
Reply #38

Capt. Bob

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #38 on: October 28, 2009, 02:52:54 PM »
Quote from: "cdoyal"
Wow, Bob. A resource like you is invaluable! Thanks for the explanation. Here's what I don't get: Isn't the drain for the fish box attached to a pump so even if water gets in the box, it would just sit there until pumped out? How would it get into the bilge?
Regarding my aluminum tank, it that thing ever rusts out, what's involved in replacing it? Cutting a big hole in the floor?

Well, you got me (at least part) on the fish box pump. I forgot you have a macerating pump there so yes it should not end up in the bilge but I'd bet that most of your water migrated from fore to aft. I state this because my short experience with my WAC did just that. I had a good deal of water in the forward bilge that did not drain back to the stern when I raised the bow considerably. The forward bilge pump had been replaced (the old pump mounting screws are still present to the rear of the new pump) but when?
I don't know how long water sat in that forward compartment but when I removed the tank, it was apparent that it had been awhile.
 I would check that forward bilge over the winter for water. Unless the boat is kept inside, water can find its way in though you stated its under a tarp.

The tank?
Well Seabob4 stated that having to remove the tank was a good reason for cutting in a hatch. Gotta agree.
First though, don't go crazy thinking you need to replace the tank. Things that will tell when the time is right:

Gas smell in the cabin and/or excessive bilge grunge in the forward compartment.
Gas smell when sniffing through the deck inspection/access plates. Smell of gas here can also mean a damaged hose connection or blocked vent so fuel odor here doesn't always lead to a damaged tank.

Fuel floating in either the fore or aft bilge.

Water is the enemy of the tank and keeping the coffin dry is very important.
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

December 04, 2009, 10:30:29 PM
Reply #39

cdoyal

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #39 on: December 04, 2009, 10:30:29 PM »
Got a teak question for you all: I bought a chunk of teak and ripped it down to a quarter inch thick for a new dash panel. What's the best thing to coat it with that doesn't need to be reapplied very often? With all the gauges and switches, that would be a PITA. I'm thinking encapsilating it with epoxy would be pretty permanent. Nice and shiny too.
1997 245 Explorer w/225 Johnson Ocean Runner

December 05, 2009, 08:27:53 AM
Reply #40

Capt. Bob

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #40 on: December 05, 2009, 08:27:53 AM »
Quote from: "cdoyal"
Got a teak question for you all: I bought a chunk of teak and ripped it down to a quarter inch thick for a new dash panel. What's the best thing to coat it with that doesn't need to be reapplied very often? With all the gauges and switches, that would be a PITA. I'm thinking encapsilating it with epoxy would be pretty permanent. Nice and shiny too.

There has been a lot of discussion on teak here so I''ve included just one. http://www.classicaquasport.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4226

There are many ways to clean, coat and maintain teak. Don't know that I've seen the epoxy method.
My concern (don't know much about epoxy) is that it would get darker/yellow over time. :scratch:
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

January 12, 2010, 03:12:39 PM
Reply #41

cdoyal

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #41 on: January 12, 2010, 03:12:39 PM »
I wasn't happy with my teak/Cetol Natural Marine Teak combo so I used some mahogany plywood and some marine spar urethane on my new dash panel. I'm still waiting for a Faria OMC systems check gauge that should be somewhat of a close match to the Teleflex Sahara gauges I used.
Before:

After:
1997 245 Explorer w/225 Johnson Ocean Runner

January 12, 2010, 05:46:31 PM
Reply #42

Capt. Bob

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #42 on: January 12, 2010, 05:46:31 PM »
Verrrry interesting. 8)

Awaiting a photo of it in place.
]
Capt. Bob
1991 210 Walkaround
2018 Yamaha 150 4 Stroke
"Reef or Madness IV"

January 12, 2010, 06:14:35 PM
Reply #43

cdoyal

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #43 on: January 12, 2010, 06:14:35 PM »
Quote from: "Capt. Bob"
Verrrry interesting. 8)

Awaiting a photo of it in place.


You'll have to wait awhile. Waaaaay too much snow on it right now.
1997 245 Explorer w/225 Johnson Ocean Runner

January 12, 2010, 06:17:30 PM
Reply #44

seabob4

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Re: 1997 245 Explorer questions
« Reply #44 on: January 12, 2010, 06:17:30 PM »
CD,
Love the panel!  I'm a big wood fan.  One question, where did you mount/install the breakers?

See you need the SystemCheck gauge.  I have a brand new Faria white face laying around doing nothing.  Unfortunately, 316 SS bezel.  Shoot you a pic...

Bob C


Corner of 520 and A1A...

 

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