2007 Skeeter WX1880 Taking in water…

Hello all,

Looking for some inputs here. Newly first time boat owner, I’ve been on plenty of boats but first time owner. I recently purchased a wx1880 and every time after being in the water. It seems like my boat is taking in a good amount of water. Please see attachments. I’m wondering if my bilge pump is not working or what is it that I should check.

Thanks!

Check the livewell plumbing for cracked or loose fittings.

A water test is really the only way to narrow down the search. All bait/livewells and plumping are potential culprits.

Dean,

Can you elaborate a little more on the water test? I can I trouble shoot each bait/livewell to narrow down the issue?

Regards,

Here are some past post that could help.

I dont have a Skeeter, but isnt the boat drain plug lower down on the boat? is that a livewell drain port or something like that?

That’s just livewell water draining out.

With your boat at rest in the water, your livewell is below the waterline and partially fills up.

Completely normal and nothing to worry about.

You can plug the livewell drain (inside the livewell), or even at the back of the boat.

B-man,

Thanks a lot! It doesn’t seem normal that it’s taking a lot of water in but it makes sense.

fuexiong87 wrote:

B-man,

Thanks a lot! It doesn’t seem normal that it’s taking a lot of water in but it makes sense.

No problem sir, and congrats on the new boat.

A buddy of mine has an 1880, they are a nice boat that can do it all.

It appears water is only draining from the left/port side which seems odd to me unless you have a drain plug in the right/starboard livewell. Is there a plug in the starboard livewell and not in the port? I’m not familiar with skeeters but on my boat, there is a valve that you manually open/close that acts as a livewell plug for both the port and starboard livewell… If the valve is open, the livewell will slightly fill when the boat is in the water. If the valve is closed, the only way water gets into the livewell is if you pump it in.

Jake,

I’ll be sure to look take a look at that. That might be the case as well but again, I’m a first time owner so any input helps me.

Here are some pics of what they commonly look like. Mine is basic and just has a open/closed positions and then the livewell is filled/recirculated via switches as the dash. I think its more common to see the type shown in the other picture that has fill, empty and recirc positions.

Hit your bilge pump after being on the water for a while. It will confirm whether or not you have any errant water in your hull.

Mine has open/closed as well. Thanks for the pictures.

Regards,

Your open and close valves (2), if the same as my 2006 WX1880, close when you give them a twist. The problem is that the valve in each tank line is not sealing. They get full of silt and dirt very quickly and then never seal again. They are just not a very well designed valve. As I said, they’ll open and close via turning the switch (in Jakes pics), but the valves arn’t sealing when they close.
Once my boat was about 1 year old, neither of the 2 valves ever worked again. They both let water into the livewell/baitwell – even if closed. That’s just the livewell/baitwell water you see draining back out. Another easy way to verify – You’ll also see water draining “out” of your full livewell when the boat is on the trailer – even if/when the valve is closed.
Unless you want to change the actual valves in the lines to something better, get used to it.
Splitshot

splitshot wrote:

Your open and close valves (2), if the same as my 2006 WX1880, close when you give them a twist. The problem is that the valve in each tank line is not sealing. They get full of silt and dirt very quickly and then never seal again. They are just not a very well designed valve. As I said, they’ll open and close via turning the switch (in Jakes pics), but the valves arn’t sealing when they close.
Once my boat was about 1 year old, neither of the 2 valves ever worked again. They both let water into the livewell/baitwell – even if closed. That’s just the livewell/baitwell water you see draining back out. Another easy way to verify – You’ll also see water draining “out” of your full livewell when the boat is on the trailer – even if/when the valve is closed.
Unless you want to change the actual valves in the lines to something better, get used to it.
Splitshot

Thanks for the help all. It seems to me my valves could be shot. I’ll have to see if I want to replace them or take them in.