boat shinking

[cpt._mike]

:-X i,m not new at bass fishing, but i have never own a bass boat before.  I bought my first boat the other day and almost sunk it. it is a 1984 hydrasport bass boat with a 145 murcury motor. it has 3 holes  located  in the back bottom middle of the boat. i pluged the middle one. i quess the other 2 were to drain the live wells. I was only in the water for 30 min, and 20 min was spent with the motor in idel, while i tried to understand why i could'nt put it in gear, long story short, i lower the choke and was able to go. i went slowly thru the wake zone, the gave it a little more gas, it felt like the back end was going to go under, i never got in plane off, or even close. i turn around and headed back, the boat just felt heavy and the back end seem low to the water, and way after getting it loaded up, i unplug the hull and water came pouring out. what did i do wrong? any advice would be good for this newbie

[fishwood]

If your sure you put the plug in the proper drain hole, check the plumbing for the live well. Maybe the hoses are not connected or damaged.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

:-X i,m not new at bass fishing, but i have never own a bass boat before. I bought my first boat the other day and almost sunk it. it is a 1984 hydrasport bass boat with a 145 murcury motor. it has 3 holes located in the back bottom middle of the boat. i pluged the middle one. i quess the other 2 were to drain the live wells. I was only in the water for 30 min, and 20 min was spent with the motor in idel, while i tried to understand why i could'nt put it in gear, long story short, i lower the choke and was able to go. i went slowly thru the wake zone, the gave it a little more gas, it felt like the back end was going to go under, i never got in plane off, or even close. i turn around and headed back, the boat just felt heavy and the back end seem low to the water, and way after getting it loaded up, i unplug the hull and water came pouring out. what did i do wrong? any advice would be good for this newbie

Did you git this on film????? ;D

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

If your sure you put the plug in the proper drain hole, check the plumbing for the live well. Maybe the hoses are not connected or damaged.

Yup, sometimes, they are disconnected from the previous owner or the squirrels can get 'em

[Catt]

Some boats have a switch which opens the live well drains, if they are open water will flow back into the live wells and if the plumbing is not hooked up then the water will fill the boat.

Try plugging all three holes  

[surfer]

All underwater holes in the hull are potential problem.  Start with them.  You can visually inspect for where the water is coming from while on the water.  I wouldn't leave the ramp area though.  You may want to start with all three holes plugged then remove one and look for the leak.  If no leak then remove another.  If there is a leak make note of it then replace that plug and remove another until you have checked each hole.

Did your bilge pump turn itself on?  If you picked up enough water to notice your boat sitting low then your bilge pump should have been running nonstop.  You will need to fix that also.