2001 215 EC bilge questions

Thanks in advance, I have searched but could not find the answers I'm looking for.

I have some water that stays directly under the engine. Is there a drain hole somewhere under the engine that may be plugged?

I also have some water that is visible under the trash can compartment/ step to enter the cabin.

My bilge pump is working but does not evacuate this water.

I have heard that this boat may have more than one bilge but cant find more than one in my parts manual.

My bilge pumps wont come on.

Tork Setterstrom said:

Thanks in advance, I have searched but could not find the answers I'm looking for.

I have some water that stays directly under the engine. Is there a drain hole somewhere under the engine that may be plugged?

I also have some water that is visible under the trash can compartment/ step to enter the cabin.

My bilge pump is working but does not evacuate this water.

I have heard that this boat may have more than one bilge but cant find more than one in my parts manual.

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I have water under the trash can and can’t find it’s exit to the main bilge. Not sure how it is getting in but it is making cabin sole wet.

I have a 1998 215 EC. Same issue in the bilge, always have a little water under the engine that never seems to make its way to the pump. I keep it in a slip during the season so I usually have to take a sponge to it from time to time to keep that little bit of water out.

The water under the trash can, I've had that as well. Seems to only happen when it rains and I don't have the mooring cover on, otherwise it usually stays dry. I believe each bulkhead section has a small drain hole in the bottom to help the water drain back to the aft bilge where it can be pumped out. It drains best with the boat on the trailer tilted with the bilge plug removed, otherwise I typically have to sponge a little out from time to time.

rstarr said:

I have a 1998 215 EC. Same issue in the bilge, always have a little water under the engine that never seems to make its way to the pump. I keep it in a slip during the season so I usually have to take a sponge to it from time to time to keep that little bit of water out.

The water under the trash can, I've had that as well. Seems to only happen when it rains and I don't have the mooring cover on, otherwise it usually stays dry. I believe each bulkhead section has a small drain hole in the bottom to help the water drain back to the aft bilge where it can be pumped out. It drains best with the boat on the trailer tilted with the bilge plug removed, otherwise I typically have to sponge a little out from time to time.

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I can’t find any hole back to the main bilge from under the trash.

There may not be one under the trash can but i believe there should be one in the center section where the gas tank is.

Again, I usually only have the water under the trash can if I leave the cover off or the door to the cuddy is open when it rains. It's a rare occurrence, easy to sponge out and usually stays dry for me. Are you continuously seeing this? With the location of the trash can under the step, I would guess it's coming in from somewhere around the door. I haven't explored it too in depth because I know I'll only see it if I leave it exposed somehow.

i have the same issue - water in the trash compartment under the step in my 1998 215 EC that only happens after rain - my canvas enclosure is on at all times when not in use. I investigated this weekend and could not find a drain hole from trash compartment through the bulkhead to the compartment under the floor in the main cabin area, that has the fresh water and gas tanks. There appear to be two drains from the under the gas tank through to the bilge in the engine compartment. I too have the same issue with about an inch or two of water that is always under the engine that wont be pumped out by the bilge pump.

Im the second owner and there appears to be some exterior damage and repair around the starboard side rubrail just before the portal - like the previous owner hit something ... Next Im going to see if it is coming from that area as the wall carpet and head liner also are damp after a rain .... I will also check around the windshield wiper motor as it is not far from the trash compartment.

Water under the trash can I believe comes from washing down the boat or when it's exposed to the elements I've discovered. IIRC, I believe it can leak down through the sliding door or behind the helm. I've been careful and have never had an issue after the 1st couple of times it happened.