DUMB QUESTION

« **on:** February 10, 2016, 10:08:01 AM »

I have never owned a jet boat until recently and I would greatly appreciate any opinions out there.

I recently bought an 84 Baja 190 Berkeley 12JF and it has been at the mechanic getting dialed in. My mechanic just told me that you should not leave any jet boat in the water overnight because all jet boats leak water. I am use to leaving my Bayliner in the water for 3-6 days at a time while on vacation and was planning to do the same with this boat. The Bayliner never has water in it when I pull the plug on the ramp.

My plan is to monitor the amount of water the boat takes on throughout the day and evening and pull it out for the night if I see any significant amount of water in the bilge.

As long as the boat is sealed correctly, should it be ok to leave the boat in the water overnight? I am thinking once I get to know the boat I can just keep an eye on it and empty any water out at the end of the day with the bilge pump. Does anybody have experience leaving their jet boat in the water for several days?

When I tested the boat out two weekends ago it did take on a lot of water. The mechanic put the boat in the water again and adjusted the packing gland and said I should not have any more problems.

Thanks for any advice/feedback!

« **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:31:44 AM »

I never leave mine in the water mostly because I'm paranoid something will happen and I'll come back to a rope tied to the dock cleat.

The only place I get water in on mine is through the packing gland. It's a drop every 5-10 seconds when it's off and about 1 drop a second when it's running.

I have had a few incidents where I've been anchored up when an inconsiderate wake monster rides by and throws a wake right over the side of my boat.

So I'm always skeptical of leaving it unattended. Might just be me though.

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« **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:35:44 AM »

You should be fine leaving it in the water overnight. Before you leave it in the evening, pump whatever water is in it out.

Also the biggest suggestion i can make is get an automatic bilge pump.

Personally, i have two bilge pumps. One is on a switch at the helm. The other one is on a float (built in) it kicks on when it senses the water is high enough. Runs for a few seconds then shuts off.

I always recommend atleast two bilge pumps.

For an example, the last time i was in the boat. I had just made my transom plates. and they leaked pretty badly. But i figured i have two pumps and it would be fine. The automatic bilge would kick on about once every 2-3 minutes. pump the water out and i didnt have an issue. Never needed to turn on my manual one

« **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2016, 12:26:33 PM »

You should be fine leaving it in the water. The last three weekends I went out last summer I left the boat in the water fri-sun without any issues. Like Steve said, get an automatic bilge if you don't already have one.

« **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2016, 12:49:11 PM »

Make sure a wake boat can't swamp it? A lot of these jets set pretty low in the back? One rouge wave and it won't matter how many bilge pumps you have... I would be a nervous reck leaving mine in the water all weekend?

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« **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2016, 12:49:48 PM »

If I leave mine in it anchor bow out

« **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:12:45 PM »

All boats,ALL,take on water. 20/30 through hull fittings,kids and people getting in and out,spilled soda(of 1 type or the other)normal leakage,and even, yes your Bayliner leaked/leakes h2o. Been boat'n 50 yrs,if I didn't see water,I'd call it done and go buy a lottery ticket. Good luck and ✅ your bilge.

« **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:25:08 PM »

Quote from: vwagon13 on February 10, 2016, 02:12:45 PM

All boats,ALL,take on water. 20/30 through hull fittings,kids and people getting in and out,spilled soda(of 1 type or the other)normal leakage,and even, yes your Bayliner leaked/leakes h2o. Been boat'n 50 yrs,if I didn't see water,I'd call it done and go buy a lottery ticket. Good luck and ✅ your bilge.

The Bahner used to be water tight. As long as nobody got in or out. I made a comment once that it never leaks (its an IO) and the damn gimbal boot ripped that same day!

Talk about a massive amount of water quickly.

« **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:46:54 PM »

I left mine in the water from thurs-Sunday last year in Parker, no problem whatsoever, keeping it bow out is a must. This was even in front of emerald cove where it's pretty rough.

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« **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:49:27 PM »

I have a Berkeley e pump almost identical to an f pump both of these pumps are famous for taking on water, I have an automatic bilge pump on mine and I'm adding a second one this year because it takes on way to much water in my opinion. If I leave my boat beached over night which I do often it's full of water in the morning and who knows how Manny times yhe pump has come on.

« **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:51:14 PM »

Quote from: rush1 on February 10, 2016, 02:49:27 PM

I have a Berkeley e pump almost identical to an f pump both of these pumps are famous for taking on water, I have an automatic bilge pump on mine and I'm adding a second one this year because it takes on way to much water in my opinion. If I leave my boat beached over night which I do often it's full of water in the morning and who knows how Manny times yhe pump has come on.

sounds like you have a really bad leak or need a bigger pump.

I can pull my drain plug and turn on both pumps and it will keep up fine and not take on water.

im running a 750gph and a 1000 gph. The 750 ghas a 5/8 dump, the 1000 has a 1.25" dump

« **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:54:01 PM »

Quote from: steves86ta on February 10, 2016, 02:51:14 PM

sounds like you have a really bad leak or need a bigger pump.

I can pull my drain plug and turn on both pumps and it will keep up fine and not take on water.

im running a 750gph and a 1000 gph. The 750 ghas a 5/8 dump, the 1000 has a 1.25" dump

on those pumps the steering cable and reverse cables are on the bottom of the pump the bellows always leak ,ive checked the packing glands and I just get a drip while it's running my bilge pump works fine its just if it quits I want a back up

« **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:54:45 PM »

Quote from: rush1 on February 10, 2016, 02:54:01 PM

on those pumps the steering cable and reverse cables are on the bottom of the pump the bellows always leak ,ive checked the packing glands and I just get a drip while it's running my bilge pump works fine its just if it quits I want a back up

ahh yeah a second pump is never a bad idea

« **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2016, 04:08:49 PM »

Thanks everybody, I really appreciate all the useful information. I will get a second bilge pump that is automatic. Also, this boat has a lot freeboard (like an I/O ski boat almost) compared to other jet boats so I don't think wakes are an issue and when I leave it overnight it will be in small marina that does not get wakes. Love the idea of an automatic bilge pump. Thanks again!

« **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2016, 04:26:24 PM »

Quote from: 84BajaBR454 on February 10, 2016, 04:08:49 PM

Thanks everybody, I really appreciate all the useful information. I will get a second bilge pump that is automatic. Also, this boat has a lot freeboard (like an I/O ski boat almost) compared to other jet boats so I don't think wakes are an issue and when I leave it overnight it will be in small marina that does not get wakes. Love the idea of an automatic bilge pump. Thanks again!

good looking boat have fun

« **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2016, 01:43:30 PM »

Quote from: 84BajaBR454 on February 10, 2016, 04:08:49 PM

Thanks everybody, I really appreciate all the useful information. I will get a second bilge pump that is automatic. Also, this boat has a lot freeboard (like an I/O ski boat almost) compared to other jet boats so I don't think wakes are an issue and when I leave it overnight it will be in small marina that does not get wakes. Love the idea of an automatic bilge pump. Thanks again!

That looks like the Laguna Nueva marina? Are you a local there?

« **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2016, 01:56:27 PM »

Yes. We live in Long Beach and bought D-12 in June of 2015 and it is rented to snowbirds right now. I will be there this weekend staying at the Lodge on the River to test out the boat again. I might leave it in the Laguna Nueva marina Saturday night. What unit are you in?

« **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2016, 02:21:58 PM »

Quote from: 84BajaBR454 on February 11, 2016, 01:56:27 PM

Yes. We live in Long Beach and bought D-12 in June of 2015 and it is rented to snowbirds right now. I will be there this weekend staying at the Lodge on the River to test out the boat again. I might leave it in the Laguna Nueva marina Saturday night. What unit are you in?

Yeah, I met you guys last summer for a couple minutes at the pool. I thought that might be your boat since you said that you had a single axle trailer. I am in G4.

« **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2016, 02:27:16 PM »

If you keep your boat in the Marina more than a couple days this is what it will look like. Do yourself a favor and pick some hull cleaner up from Walmart. It will clean up a lot easier.

« **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2016, 03:08:26 PM »

Quote from: 78Southwind on February 11, 2016, 02:27:16 PM

If you keep your boat in the Marina more than a couple days this is what it will look like. Do yourself a favor and pick some hull cleaner up from Walmart. It will clean up a lot easier.

ewwwww lol

« **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2016, 03:32:58 PM »

Quote from: steves86ta on February 11, 2016, 03:08:26 PM

ewwwww lol

Our marina is next to a flood channel and when it floods the sediment settles in our marina. The plant life in the Marina goes crazy and that's the result when you keep your boat in the Marina a week or so. It cleans up really good as long as you use the hull cleaner.

« **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2016, 06:48:10 PM »

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