Bilge pump switch -

[Luigi Morales]

Today when I replaced my bilge pump switch (because it was sticking) I removed the 3 screws holding it down. When I removed it, water started gushing out of the screw holes. ( boat is on the trailer)
Wtf? Anyone here experience this? It eventually stopped but still curious how water can get in there.
2007 270SLX

Thanks

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Were the screw hole sealed with 4000 or something similar? Look to make sure any of the screws holding accessories to the hull subject to getting wet are sealed, if not water in time will make its way past the treads and sit in any voids in the hull and there are many.
I would run a shop vac over the holes and get as much water out as possible and then let it sit a bit before reinstalling the screws.
Carpe Diem

 

[Luigi Morales]

Today when I replaced my bilge pump switch (because it was sticking) I removed the 3 screws holding it down. When I removed it, water started gushing out of the screw holes. ( boat is on the trailer)
Wtf? Anyone here experience this? It eventually stopped but still curious how water can get in there.
2007 270SLX

Thanks

Today when I replaced my bilge pump switch (because it was sticking) I removed the 3 screws holding it down. When I removed it, water started gushing out of the screw holes. ( boat is on the trailer)
Wtf? Anyone here experience this? It eventually stopped but still curious how water can get in there.
2007 270SLX

Thanks

I would like to add that I have captains call exhaust and just noticed 2 weeks ago that when I have lots of weight in the stern area, water leaks in through that area. That being said I think water is also getting

Today when I replaced my bilge pump switch (because it was sticking) I removed the 3 screws holding it down. When I removed it, water started gushing out of the screw holes. ( boat is on the trailer)
Wtf? Anyone here experience this? It eventually stopped but still curious how water can get in there.
2007 270SLX

Thanks

Today when I replaced my bilge pump switch (because it was sticking) I removed the 3 screws holding it down. When I removed it, water started gushing out of the screw holes. ( boat is on the trailer)
Wtf? Anyone here experience this? It eventually stopped but still curious how water can get in there.
2007 270SLX

Thanks

in through the layers of fiber glass in that area.

Were the screw hole sealed with 4000 or something similar? Look to make sure any of the screws holding accessories to the hull subject to getting wet are sealed, if not water in time will make its way past the treads and sit in any voids in the hull and there are many.
I would run a shop vac over the holes and get as much water out as possible and then let it sit a bit before reinstalling the screws.
Carpe Diem

I had water intrusion through the captains call thru hull exhaust. I sealed it up yesterday. Will do what you said with the shop vac and reinstall of bilge switch.
thanks

 

[Mavado007]

i do have the same problem but below the ski locker. There is a second bilge pump there and the former owner must have changed the floating switch without sealing the former holes in the botom of the ski locker.. - so water must have gone into the area between bottom/floor of the skilocker and the bottom of the hull of the boat. The problem is that you can't see anything in that space as this area is originally filled with foam.. - so no idea how many water there could be inside..? I tried to vaccuum water out but impossible to get to the bottom as it is filled up with foam. I see the boat is pending a little on portside - i can see water/antifouling line - boat is deeper in the water on port side.. so my idea is that there must be water in the hull? ( on the other hand - portside is where the head and batteries are ? weight difference with starboard side ? )

 

[JohnnyAlpha]

When many types of foam are exposed to water for extended period of time they will actually absorb water and become very heavy. Water only needs time and a way in such as a leaking screw hole to slowly saturate the foam. If the area that’s waterlogged is large enough to add significant weight to your boat or is causing it to list to one side it should definitely be addressed. Your best bet is to cut holes into the area with a hole saw then dig and shop vac out the old wet foam. Once it’s all dry you can refill the void with two part expanding flotation foam and patch the holes with new fiberglass.

 

[Mavado007]

When many types of foam are exposed to water for extended period of time they will actually absorb water and become very heavy. Water only needs time and a way in such as a leaking screw hole to slowly saturate the foam. If the area that’s waterlogged is large enough to add significant weight to your boat or is causing it to list to one side it should definitely be addressed. Your best bet is to cut holes into the area with a hole saw then dig and shop vac out the old wet foam. Once it’s all dry you can refill the void with two part expanding flotation foam and patch the holes with new fiberglass.

Thank you for this answer - boat is on the hardstand now - we fixed all the " holes" in the bilge floor so no more water will go into the hull - we will make a small hole into the foam till the bottom and try to vaccuum the water out ( if there is any ) to start with. Can use the original holes that are in the floor that Sea Ray uses to spray the foam in.

 

[JohnnyAlpha]

If you suspect an area to be wet I would definitely start with a very small hole. You can probe the area to verify its foam filled and if it’s wet or not. This way if it’s dry you can just seal it up with some 3m marine sealant. If you find wet foam you won’t be able to vacuum all the water out of it since the foam is essentially a giant sponge. As a side note if you do discover it’s wet back on either side of your engine be sure take a good look at your mounts. On my 04 270 sundeck the engine mounts were wood encased in fiberglass and my starboard side mount was completely rotten and looked just like wet potting soil.

 

[Mavado007]

If you suspect an area to be wet I would definitely start with a very small hole. You can probe the area to verify its foam filled and if it’s wet or not. This way if it’s dry you can just seal it up with some 3m marine sealant. If you find wet foam you won’t be able to vacuum all the water out of it since the foam is essentially a giant sponge. As a side note if you do discover it’s wet back on either side of your engine be sure take a good look at your mounts. On my 04 270 sundeck the engine mounts were wood encased in fiberglass and my starboard side mount was completely rotten and looked just like wet potting soil.

I will check later this week and will use the existing holes that SeaRay used to spray the foam in.
Will drill with a wooden stick till i hit the bottom of the boat and see if the wooden stick is dry or wet when i take out ..