Ranger 618T leaking compartment

[mamohr686]

Hello All,
I bought a used 2004 Ranger 618T last spring. The boat is great except the compartment on the starboard (right side when facing the back) closest to the rear of the boat, leaks really bad. On a rainy day I can get an inch of standing water in it, and it doesn't dry or drain out. I have to take a wet/dry vac and suck out the water and hit it with some mildew removing spray to keep it clean. It's really annoying because it's the most convient compartment to use when your running the tiller. Is this a factory defect or is a common problem in this model?

-Mark

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...6/IMG_1766.jpg

[tbob101]

I had an '04 and experienced no such problem. Are you talking about the very back compartment, the one right behind you when you drive? If so, it's the one opposite of the livewell, can't imagine where that water would be coming from other than the lid area. I'm guessing it's running down the full length of the boat, behind the rod lockers (tight to the gunnel) and leaking into the front of the lid where it buts against the rod locker. I'd double check that area. Check you rubber gaskets around the lids - that would be my first guess.

[crawler]

I have an 08 620 T and 1 compartment leaked, couldn't fiqure it out so I turned on the hose and watched The water was coming in from the bolts that secure the piston that holds the door open. I put caulk around it and no more leak. Ranger should put rubber washers or something like that to prevent it from happening.

[walleyejohn]

Mark,
I have an 07 618t and have experienced no problems what so ever with leaks in any compartment.
The amount of water you are talking about is pretty substaintial.
Do you have any idea where it could be coming from?
Does it come in only when it rains?
Certainly this is not acceptable and should be corrected as soon as you can find the leak.

Regardless if you are the original owner or not I would spend a minute on line or make a call on Monday and contact Ranger directly.
They may be aware of some issues with that particular model and can provide some help for you.

Good Luck,
walleyejohn

[mamohr686]

I just took the boat out of storage and I'll have to check the areas you guys mentioned. The only time I get water is when it rains, and it is a lot. I think it has to do with the rail system, it seems like all the water is being diverted into that compartment (yes it is the one opposite of the livewell).

Its a fairly common problem on that boat. I've either owned or friends have owned 6 different 620T's about half of them had at least one leaky compartment. Usually one of the rod lockers. Besides the spots already mentioned, the other place I've seen them leak is If you get water on rough but not rainy days then it is likely sneaking in under the rub rail. My last boat would sometimes get enough water to fill the full length of the rod locker a couple inches deep if the seas were rough enough to get alot of spray hitting the side of the boat. That one was solved when I had the rub rail removed and sealed.

[cast_and_blast]

Not in a T Ranger, but I've seen small leaks around the lid latch. I believe there are seals (o-rings) in the latch that can dry out and leak. I do not think this would account for 2-3" of water in the compartment though.

Scott

I'm with the last poster. I have a 690T that I experienced the same issue with. I was getting alot of water in 2 compartments when it rained. It turned out that it was in fact bad/no gasket seals around the latches. I also was getting water in the key holes, so I got the little covers for them too. Problem solved. It is also amazing how much water your lid carpet can wick up and deposit into the compartments at times. I solved that by putting new rubber gasketry around the top compartment edges so the carpet no longer seats on the glass. One last thng to check is where exactly the floor of the compartment is wet. Try some experiments. Use a hose and see if the compartment gets wet when spraying water on it, or does the whole boat have to become wet first? If the latter, seeing it is a rear compartment, it could be coming in the little drain hole in the bottom of the compartment(though not sure how that lays out in the 618..). If it is getting wet just by spraying the hose onto it, check to see where it is wet. Could be right under the latch, or along the edges.... Good luck.