We trailer launched my buddies 1996 42' with triple 500hp carb motors Saturday. It ran fine on the hose but after launch center motor would not crank. Well the cylinders were full of water. The center motor exhaust out of the sides of the swim platform. we pulled the plugs cranked the water out and it ran fine. Has anybody else had this problem? And is there a fix?
Thanks Michael

hope you changed the oil at the very least that is not a common problem i would think you have another more serious problem going on.

later

Nobody else???

if this acured as the first outing of the season i would be looking for a cracked block from winterization done poorly, if you have been using the boat all along and one day it just occured then i would be leaning twards head gasket ,intake gasket, possible exhaust riser etc. good luck keepus informed
later

Later did a compression test no damage to the motor. Has run about 3hrs no water in the oil. Pulled exhaust pipes off. Never had any flappers installed from the factory. Installed a set of stainless marine in line flappers. I hope this helps. Other then that is is a great running boat and will easily plane on any two motors.

My guess is that it came straight in from the exhaust while the boat was on the trailer, especially if the ramp was steep. Flappers will help. I’m not sure if starting the engines before entering the water will help. Just a thought.

I thought about covering the outlet holes in the swim platform with masking tape while launching. It would blow off as soon as motors started.