Help, I think the Malibu is sinking!!

A friend of mine has a 2000 Malibu Sportster with the 350. When we are running the boat across the lake everything is fine, but when we stop - or slow down, a massive amount of water comes into the boat from the shaft area. I've heard it's only a bearing seal or something like that,has anyone else had this problem? How did you fix it?

What's up Ted? Long time no see. Sorry I didn't make it for the Derby, but I was working in NJ at the time.

The boat needs the shaft packing replaced. The dealer will sell him the right stuff, just tell him what you need. You can do a search here and find plenty of info on shaft packing and adjusting the locking nut.

let it sink just kidding..
try tightining up the packing 1st usaly just beond hand tight till u get a drop every 10 secs or so, the water lubes the packing seal.

If it is a "massive amount of water", I don't think it is the packing. If the packing nut is totally removed, you will still not get "a massive amount of water" - you will only have a slow leak (like a water faucet on about 1/5 of the way)

Hey Dave, you going to Boardstock this year? I didn't make the Derby either. I live in Tampa Florida right now, riding everyday until the boat started sinking...We only get a massive amount when we have the fat sacks,fat seat, the wedge, and over 4 people in the boat. Its not as much water when everything is empty. Still think thats the problem? Sounds like an easy fixI hope.

Yeah, I'll probably be at Boardstock again. How long does it take to fill with water? It could be a fresh water coolant line that has come off or something like that. If you put it in the water, you should be able to see where the water is coming in from. If it were the coolant line, it would fill up REALLY quickly. Are you sure that none of the sacks has a tear in it?

Tampa huh? Lucky dog!

Nah, we stripped the boat of all the sacks. It runs good then and only takes on a little bit of water without the weight.Coolant line? If only it were as easy as hooking a line back up. I didn't see anything like that, we crawled all over that boat. We were just hesitant to break the seal on the shaft cover to take a look.

You should come down and ride, water is a little warmer here than the Delta, after the boats fixed - of course....

Well, since you're in Tampa, I guess it wouldn't be that your bud forgot to put the freeze plugs back in. I'm still betting on the shaft packing. Has it ever been replaced on that boat? Also, try checking the nut first as mentioned above, but it is probably time to be repacked anyway.

I wish I could come down there. Work is keeping me WAY too busy.

I'll be repacking tommorow. I was sent here by my company. It sux that they expect me to work down here though, they should just pay for me to ride..

Good luck with that! When they start paying you to ride, can you let me know who to send my resume to?