2014 Bayliner 185 4.3TKS

[jrtexas]

I recently bought a used 2014 Bayliner 185 with Mercruiser 4.3. Engine only had 38 hours on it, gelcoat & upholstery perfect so basically a brand new 10 year old boat.
Runs great and spent 3 hours on the lake Sunday at up to 52 mph.
I am getting water in the bilge (no one getting in wet or surf coming in) and trying to figure out where it’s coming from. I ran it in the driveway yesterday with earmuffs and no water in the bilge after running for 10-15 minutes.
I’m thinking bellow replacement since the boat sat and did not get much use? Don’t know how to confirm that though. What else should I look for to nail down the cause?
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Dieter]

I recently bought a used 2014 Bayliner 185 with Mercruiser 4.3. Engine only had 38 hours on it, gelcoat & upholstery perfect so basically a brand new 10 year old boat.
Runs great and spent 3 hours on the lake Sunday at up to 52 mph.
I am getting water in the bilge (no one getting in wet or surf coming in) and trying to figure out where it’s coming from. I ran it in the driveway yesterday with earmuffs and no water in the bilge after running for 10-15 minutes.
I’m thinking bellow replacement since the boat sat and did not get much use? Don’t know how to confirm that though. What else should I look for to nail down the cause?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Yes given age I would look at the bellows both driveshaft and shift.

Take it to boat ramp and back it in the water and look for water coming in.

 

[schimmelsonsmarine]

You could lift the drive all the way to the top and do a visual inspection of the boots. The shift cable boot & the U-Joint Drive boot would let water into the boat.

 

[sandkicker]

Regardless of what you see, you should seriously consider replacing both boots.