Water in the bilge

[alexworden]

Hi,

Ever since I've owned my 270 Sundancer, there has been about 1" of water in the bilge. I tried running the bilge pump manually (from the switch on the dash) and it is working but always leaves 1" of water that it can't seem to pump out.

Is that normal?

How can I fix it so it removes all of the water?

Thanks,

Alex

 

[kg4vgh]

shop vac.......most pumps sit up about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch off the bilge floor....so you won't ever get the last little bit out...unless you use a vac or rags.....mine's the same way....once a month I dry her totally out......

 

[Searay-Bob]

I have th same thing in my 340da. It is what is left in the hose and comes back down into the bilge. Not to much you can do about it. You can vaccuum it out like he said but there will be rain water and deck wash going down there. It's no big deal as long as your pump dosen't keep running.

 

[alexworden]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. It's definitely not just what was in the pump hoses that comes back out because I'm watching it and it just isn't pumping everything out.

I haven't looked at the design of the bilge pump but I'm wondering if I can attach a small hose that will sit right on the floor of the bilge so it sucks all the water out.

The reason why I'm really trying to clear it all out is that I suspect that is what smells down there. I'm also concerned that if the bilge pumps are sitting in water all day long they will corrode and not work when I really need them!

There's really quite a lot of water down there so I think rags would clean it up but it will take some work. It's pretty nasty water too! I'll sacrifice an old towel or two and give it a go - with rubber gloves to wring out the towels.

Alex

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

Every boat I've owned does this. Wasn't an issue for trailer boats. Based on where the pump is located on my 290 and the bilge being lower at the plug there's no way to get it all out. After I pump as much out as I can I use a small shop vac to get it good and dry. Seems to have about 2.5 gallons that can't be pumped out. But mine will stay dry after that unless there is a really hard and long rain.

 

[Voldad]

I use sponges then paper towels to get the bilge completely dry. That way I can tell if something starts to go wrong. I call it bellows leaking phobia.

 

[rondds]

I have one shop vac dedicated for bilge pumping use. I take it down every couple of weeks and suck the thing dry. My boat has regular old stuffing boxes so I've always got some water down in the bowels. I agree it creates some odor as well as dampness, but I wouldn't worry about it corroding the bilge pumps..

 

[jason78]

Hi,

Ever since I've owned my 270 Sundancer, there has been about 1" of water in the bilge. I tried running the bilge pump manually (from the switch on the dash) and it is working but always leaves 1" of water that it can't seem to pump out.

Is that normal?

How can I fix it so it removes all of the water?

Thanks,

Alex

First you need to do some process of elimination to drill it down a bit.

First, are you in a covered slip or non-covered? After you vacuum it out and get it dry, spray down the boat, if you get water then you know it is likely a leaking rubrail or deck hole somewhere.

If that does not produce any water, let the boat sit a week unused and unstarted. If you have water then you can start looking at thru hulls, bellows and raw water lines.

If still no water, start the engine(s) and let them run for 15-20 min in the slip and then wait a few days to see if any water develops. If it does, you can look at water pump and other cooling components.

After all this if you are still dry, run the boat for 30-45 minutes and see if you get any water. If you do get water at this point, it could be transducer leaking, a thru hull, basically anything on the bottom under pressure when underway.

Also, inspect around strainers and Fresh Water componets.

Jason

 

[Groucho]

Every single boat I've owned has had a little water in the bilge. I know how much is there so I see if any more than normal I would check it out.

 

[alexworden]

Thanks Jason,

I will definitely run through your suggestions. I did get all the water out last weekend with a shop-vac but yesterday I checked and the water was back. This was after running and cleaning the boat however so it could have come from anywhere.

Alex

 

[duckmnn]

On my 270 if I don't put teflon tape on the brass plug my boat will get water thru the plug. From what I can figure the plug isn't tappered like regular pipe plugs? I havn't checked,but I think the fishing rod holders on rear side rails drain to bilge.

 

[jason78]

Thanks Jason,

I will definitely run through your suggestions. I did get all the water out last weekend with a shop-vac but yesterday I checked and the water was back. This was after running and cleaning the boat however so it could have come from anywhere.

Alex

Are you in a covered or non-covered?

I would vacuum again then just let it sit without washing or using for a few days and see what happens.