bilge access, transom, 222ccp, 87'

[ddd222]

hey guys, just joined f'in awesome,wish i found this earlier. Chimed in on "mystery leak" thread and i have similar problem. Repowered last year w/new 250hp yamaha, and almost sunk twice this year, no way i can lose my investment. Ripped out the plumbing for the livewell which i think was part of the problem(livewell also in worst possible place, never use it), but still taking on water. Anyone replace the check valves under the water line which rain water is supposed to run out of as well as rinse water? I really don't think I can get to mine without making major cuts. Love my boat but access to everything SUCKS, bilge, livewell, wiring. Definately plan on cutting that damn well out, if done right will give me much better access to bilge but not those damn check valves. Any suggestions or first hand knowledge would be greatly appreciated!

[JimCt]

Look at the time-line.  Were you leaking before you re-powered?

[ddd222]

thanks jim, yes I was leaking before, but not quite as bad, and the bolts on the new motor were a consideration. But after looking closely, his work looks very tight and he was able to use the original cuts on the transom. I also forgot to mention i installed bennett m 120 trim tabs, but the cuts on the transom sit above the water line. The check valves seem to be the most logical, they are designed to sit below the water line, and let water out but not in, but if the ball inside is stuck???? Like I said before, I love the boat, but whoever designed bilge, wiring and transom access must gave it nothing more than a moments access. You could not get to my bilge unless you have arms like Minnute Bul(former nba, 7'4 minimal star)

[ddd222]

btw jim, i am in long island fishing out of port washigton, my buddy has the 17', 1988

[JimCt]

I launch & fish around the Guilford area in CT.  Mostly shoot over to Faulkners Is.  Lots of rocks & lots of fish.

The ball check valves could easily be the problem.  All it takes is a bit of weed, a small barnacle or a scratch or dent in the balls or the surface they seats against.  Considering the dollars at stake, no question, I'd replace them.  Cheap insurance.

Concerning bilge access, same problem on my boat.  Why not install a water-tight access panel?  Something like this:

 http://www.hamiltonmarine.com/0217.htm

One other thought.  If your new motor is much heavier than the old one you are putting more water pressure on the check valves.  In a perfect world, the extra pressure would simply push the balls more firmly onto their seats.  However, this world is a mess, at best, and maybe the check valves are too.  If this this situation, more pressure = faster flow of water into the boat.  My guess is that even a slight increase in water pressure could easily double the flow of water.

[ddd222]

great suggestion about the hatch. My particular model has a glassed in bait well in transom, that in my first hour here, i've read numerous complaints about, which needs to be cut out, and making the cuts needs to be exact for numerous reasons, but hadn't heard of that hatch manufacturer so thanks. Weight of the new motor was well on my mind when I repowered. I originally had in mind the 250 yamaha hpdi, but it was if I remember correctly was 90- 95 lbs heavier than my 225 evinrude. The 250 efi was within 5 lbs of the old beast, and actually became the deciding factor when repowering.

[John Jones]

My '78 22-2 had the rear baitwell with only a 8" deck plate to access the bilge.  

I am a firm believer in bilge pumps and wanted to install two as well as have a location for the Bennett hydraulic pump.  Mine had a screwed down panel over the baitwell that included the baitwell hatch cover.  I outlined it in red here.



I took this panel up which left me some bilge access but I found that the baitwell was secured to the transom with something that looked like bondo.  I destroyed the baitwell getting it out but now I have full bilge access.  I calked the original deck panel back in place so now I have a nice size hatch to access the bilge and can take the big panel out if I need to do serious work.




I don't have a good pic with the big panel out but this pic will show you the kind of bilge access I have now.

[ddd222]

good choice john, thats exactly what I had envisioned doing

[JimCt]

Thanks for the pictures John.

My 170's only got a single 8" bilge access port; not enough room to work in to install a bilge pump. Will be installing a rectangular panel like yours this spring.