stupid question #3

[speakrdude]

I am new to this size boat so bear with me please.
The boat, 88 300 WE, has 3 bilge pumps. Will the 3 bilge areas drain into each other or will the bow area stay full of water even though the mid cabin bilge is dry? I ask because I haven't pulled the batteries yet, although I belive they are dead. Hasn't been hooked up to AC in a while when I received. I don't want to rush and plug into shore power or fresh batteries before I have a chance to check things out.

 

[sprink56]

I am new to this size boat so bear with me please.
The boat, 88 300 WE, has 3 bilge pumps. Will the 3 bilge areas drain into each other or will the bow area stay full of water even though the mid cabin bilge is dry? I ask because I haven't pulled the batteries yet, although I belive they are dead. Hasn't been hooked up to AC in a while when I received. I don't want to rush and plug into shore power or fresh batteries before I have a chance to check things out.

One or more of the other guys that have '80s boats need to jump in here...but all my bilge pumps are in the bilge. I don't think that there should be water in the bow unless there is a leak. Go to SeaRay.com and go to customer support/model archives and pull up a manual on your boat and study it...it's a good start.

I'm not sure if those forward areas communicate with each other drainage wise

 

[The Bill Collector]

Previous boat '89 300 Weekender.....

It had 2 bilge bumps in the engine room and the shower sump/pump was underneath the stairs into the salon....

 

[tollycraft]

I am new to this size boat so bear with me please.
The boat, 88 300 WE, has 3 bilge pumps. Will the 3 bilge areas drain into each other or will the bow area stay full of water even though the mid cabin bilge is dry? I ask because I haven't pulled the batteries yet, although I belive they are dead. Hasn't been hooked up to AC in a while when I received. I don't want to rush and plug into shore power or fresh batteries before I have a chance to check things out.

Bill Collector is right. One piece of advise, check that bildge pump under the steps often if you use the shower. That pump can get clogged with stuff usually hair. After using soap in the shower, let the hot water run for a minute or two as you need to clear all the soap from the shower sump. Good luck.

 

[wish2fish]

I hope you get the help you want but it would be best if you put your question or subject in the title field. Plus you still don't have boat info in your signature line!

 

[BillyT0020]

I am new to this size boat so bear with me please.
The boat, 88 300 WE, has 3 bilge pumps. Will the 3 bilge areas drain into each other or will the bow area stay full of water even though the mid cabin bilge is dry? I ask because I haven't pulled the batteries yet, although I belive they are dead. Hasn't been hooked up to AC in a while when I received. I don't want to rush and plug into shore power or fresh batteries before I have a chance to check things out.

My boat only has two Bildge pumps as well. One in the Bildge and one under the stairs in the cabin (referred to as the step down pump at helm) Not sure why you would have a pump in the bow, as it should be completely sealed. First thing I would check out is if your bildge pumps are float activated. When I bought my boat, mine were not. Each pump should have a through hull fitting so that each will drain any water outside the boat. Your step down pump may have a tube close to it that moves water to the bildge area but the pump should still have its own seperate through hull fitting. If the boat is in the water or not covered properly you should have batteries in it so the pumps can activate and keep water out of your boat. If there is any water in your boat you want to get it out ASAP. Id do that right away.

 

[berth control]

I have three pumps - one in the bilge that has a float switch. When it kicks on automatically the switch should illuminate green. When I turn it on manually the switch illuminates red. The second pump is in the back of the mid berth. Same deal, has a switch at the helm labeled step down pump and has a float switch. The third pump is in the middle of the cabin under a hatch - also with a float switch. This pump gets rid of water from the shower, but it will not kick on unless the switch in the bathroom is turned on (little black switch near the sink).

All three compartments are sealed as far as I can tell. I have had water in each one separately that did not spill into the others, but not that much water. It is a good idea to make sure these pumps all work, even though they are in the cabin. When you get a leak in the deck, leave a hatch open during a rainstorm, have a hatch open and a wave comes over the bow, burst a water line in the cabin, or water starts to come through the hull due to an accident you will be happy they work.

 

[HighFlight2k2]

Is the third pump the shower sump? If so, it's probably a contained unit (that the A/C may also drain into) that pumps directly out. My boat labels it as the forward bilge but it only goes off when we shower or when we run the A/C. The two other pumps are the primary and backup pumps in the engine compartment.

Jon

 

[vernh59]

My boat has two bilge pumps in seperate compartments and a shower pump that also picks up condensation from the forward air unit. Originally, the shower pump was in a compartment under the salon step. When the pump float stuck or quit the compartment would fill and flood a storage compartment in the forward cabin. I have installed a plastic shower box with a built in pump to keep the compartment dry.
As has been stated, these floats need to be checked frequently.