I have a 2007 Sea Ray Sundancer 240. Bought it used and the seller didn’t have fresh water in the boat during the survey. I now know why. I poured in about 20 gallons and it ended up on my carpet inside the cabin and then my bilge was full of water. Is there a way to repair this? Do I need to rip out the carpet? What about the walls? Thanks
Fresh Water leaked into cabin and into bilge
- Thread starter Ruski1107
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- fresh water system.
What's the purpose to taking out the carpet or walls to fix a tank leak? Meaning... is there more to this that was not mentioned? Just playing the averages here, a logical guess would be that someone forgot to winterize the fresh water tank (under the v-berth) and it cracked.
Take a look and find where the leak is... then come up with a plan of attack.
Take a look and find where the leak is... then come up with a plan of attack.
It could be a bad tank, a disconnected fill hose, or anything between. You won't know until you locate the tank and expose it such that you can see what's going on. On my 310 it is under the cushions in the cave. The manuals available on Sea Ray's site should help you find yours.
Either way, a long term (uncorrected) issue with a fresh water leak can lead to rotten stringers and/or bulkheads, so make sure you thoroughly asses what damage may have been done.
Either way, a long term (uncorrected) issue with a fresh water leak can lead to rotten stringers and/or bulkheads, so make sure you thoroughly asses what damage may have been done.
I see a lot of boats and sometimes the intracies of one blend with another until I see pictures. But the tank is definitely under the v-berth - lift up the front cushion and table. There is probably a carpeted board there - and "typically" it would just be simply screwed down. Feel around the edges, in the carpet, for the hidden screw heads. I think it will make sense once you get eyes on it. Post some pics, if you need further help.
The fill... can you see the backside (nipple/hoses) from the anchor locker? I think you can... but again, "blending"...
Cap'n Scuba Steve
Active Member
Having that exact year and model, the FW tank is (as others have said) under the center cushion and table storage in the v-berth. You can see the fill and vent hoses by looking in the anchor locker as Lazy Daze mentioned.
As far as ripping out the carpet, probably not necessary as long as you can wet vac up the majority of the water and get it dry. Worst case, if it sours, you can steam clean it and then get it dry.
One other question: did you pressurize the fresh water system by turning on the FW pump? If so, the leak may be coming from somewhere else. I wanted to ask as you didn't indicate that in your posts.
Pics will definitely help us help you more quickly.
As far as ripping out the carpet, probably not necessary as long as you can wet vac up the majority of the water and get it dry. Worst case, if it sours, you can steam clean it and then get it dry.
One other question: did you pressurize the fresh water system by turning on the FW pump? If so, the leak may be coming from somewhere else. I wanted to ask as you didn't indicate that in your posts.
Pics will definitely help us help you more quickly.
All I did was fill the water up and it leaked in the lowest part of the cabin and the bilge was full. We did try to use the bathroom sink And water flowed but barely. The toilet was used prior to water being added and no leaks occurred.
Cap'n Scuba Steve
Active Member
Ok, thanks. Sounds like it is definitely coming from the tank or a fitting itself on the tank. There are only the fill, vent, and outlet fittings on the tank. How quickly did you notice the carpet getting wet after you filled it? The best thing to do would be to try and pull the tank out and inspect it for any cracks or leaks. You might find a faulty fitting before you even get the tank removed.
There is no water in the holding tank. There is water under it however. Seems like the water under it can’t escape so that doesn’t explain the water on the carpet at the bottom of the cabin or the bilge. All carpet around the tank is dry. No visible cracks in tank. Why is there 2 hoses at the top of the tank. Large one I assume is where the water comes in. What about the small one?
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Is the anchor locker at the front of the boat that houses the anchor? The seller installed an aftermarket windglass anchor and then screwed down the door. I removed the screws but can’t completely open the locker. The seller sold me a real lemon. The anchor doesn’t work. I’ve had issues every time I take the boat out. I don’t want to break the hatch but it seems like it won’t open otherwise. Why would fresh water hoses be in that compartment? Seems like the anchor locker is closer to the bow than the fresh water intake?
I mentioned this above, but your water fill deckplate is up at the bow.
Unless... you may be confused on terms and such (possbily between the water fill deckplate and the city water hookup). Let's take a step back...
Where exactly did you "pour 20 gallons in"? The reason I ask is that you said: "Why would fresh water hoses be in that compartment? Seems like the anchor locker is closer to the bow than the fresh water intake?"
The anchor locker/fill deck plate/tank are all within a few feet of each other. If you're talking about the city water hookup at the transom, then we're looking at a totally different scenario than what we've all been discussing so far.
Unless... you may be confused on terms and such (possbily between the water fill deckplate and the city water hookup). Let's take a step back...
Where exactly did you "pour 20 gallons in"? The reason I ask is that you said: "Why would fresh water hoses be in that compartment? Seems like the anchor locker is closer to the bow than the fresh water intake?"
The anchor locker/fill deck plate/tank are all within a few feet of each other. If you're talking about the city water hookup at the transom, then we're looking at a totally different scenario than what we've all been discussing so far.
OK, a comment or two above had me wondering. But if you filled at the bow, then we're still on track. Have someone pour some water in and see what happens. After that, you may have to work more at getting into the anchor locker. But let's see what you see while someone pour water in.
M Prod
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- Oct 6, 2017
- 1,438
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- 2005 Sundancer 340
Zodiac Cadet w/FCT console Yamaha F20
Kohler 5KW Genny
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It looks like the water underneath it has been there for awhile.
bahamabreisus
Well-Known Member
- Oct 25, 2007
- 2,557
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- 370 dancer, previous 500,420,390,300 dancers
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- 454 CI MPI
I would be discussing this with your surveyor, why was this not addressed in the survey.
Cap'n Scuba Steve
Active Member
Looking at that pic of the tank top and your two lines, I’d venture a guess that if someone pours water in at the bow deck plate, those fittings are where water is going to leak out. That would explain why there is water underneath the tank. That said, do as Lazy Daze suggested and have someone slowly fill at the bow while you watch and then see what happens. That will tell us more about what is happening.
There was no water during the survey, no generator to test electronics, and the seller didn’t bring the canvas. I got half a survey but paid full price. This issue is 1 of myriad issues with some much more dire: leaking engine oil, starter corroded and not operational, moving lights not working, idle air control valve shot, anchor not working, Etc. I got a lemon of all lemons. Really frustrating.
TimW
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- Jul 2, 2018
- 1,262
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- 2003 260 Sundancer
Tri-axle venture trailer
F250 diesel truck
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- 350 MAG MPI
PT Barnum was right.
ETA: I had NO survey on the boat I bought 3 years ago, but with a little common sense and a modest amount of experience with both engines and RV's as well as general troubleshooting, I knew my new "toy" would be good to go.
ETA part 2:
With starter not functional, HOW did you test drive?
YOU GOT TOOK.
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Cap'n Scuba Steve
Active Member
Sounds like you bought a boat that had been sitting for awhile and had not been properly maintained. I’m sorry to hear that it happened to you, and unfortunately it happens to a lot of new boaters when they buy used. Lesson well-learned I’m sure.
On the bright side, there are a LOT of good people on this forum that are willing to help provide advice or guidance from years of experience and with many coming from the boating industry. If you’re willing to invest the time and energy, there will be lots of support and you’ll have your boat squared away in one way or another.