Were's the Water comming from???

[PurpleCedarPlug]

A little puzzled?

I have a 99 straight inboards. When we're offshore trolling (calm water) the aft bilge kicks on about every 5 min and pumps out a good bit of water. It will continue to do this all day long.

When were at dock and sitting, no real water in the bilge other than your normal 1/2 inch from washing the boat, rain, etc.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the shaft seals. Their dripless shafts and I've run the boat at dock, pulled the fish boxes and looked in the engine room and don't see any water comming in anywhere.

I still need to pull the boxes and look at everything while underway, but has anyone experienced this or have any suggestions?

Appreciate the input...

[spoolsout]

We had a similar situation last year on our 1995 28. After we pulled the motors this yesr for rebuild we started working in the bilge. Found that the thru hull just forward of the port engine was loose. I could spin it by hand. This one was in a tough place to see yet alone check with the motors in. Hopefully that was the source of our problem. We reseated that one and have checked all others. If you haven't checked them yet I would suggest you check them all by hand. Good luck and let us know how you make out. Chuck

[PurpleCedarPlug]

Thanks Chuck,
On mine that's the raw wash thru hull. I replaced the hose this spring and the fitting seems to be good and tight. I'll recheck it, but I'm thinking it's something else.

[Split Decision]

It's possible that it might be a hose going to an above water through hull. When you are trolling, water might be going back in the through hull and out the split hose into the bildge. Just something to check.

Are you taking water into the cockpit and then leaking past the fishboxes?

Could also be a leaky hose on the raw water side of the engine.

[PurpleCedarPlug]

It's possible that it might be a hose going to an above water through hull. When you are trolling, water might be going back in the through hull and out the split hose into the bildge. Just something to check.

Are you taking water into the cockpit and then leaking past the fishboxes?

Could also be a leaky hose on the raw water side of the engine.

Split Decision,

No water into the cockpit, but I didn't about the above water through hulls. Will also check them out.

Thanks...

[Valhalla]

Water in bilge

I went fishing yesterday and it was a little snotty. I noticed the aft bilge coming on pretty often while trolling. I pulled the fish box out and the bilge looked pretty clear so I guessed that water was sloshing around and setting it off.I dont have i/b shafts so I guessed that it may be coming in from the spay getting in the anchor locker because as far as I know it is not sealed. I normally do not notice the bilge coming on that often so I was a little concerned. I will now check all my thru hulls based on a previous post.

[PurpleCedarPlug]

Found were the water was comming from!!

Valhalla,

On the 28's the anchor rope compartment is a self contained area with only a drain hole on the port side. Water from your front anchor hatch can't get into your bilge. It will drain out the port side.

Here's were I found my water comming in:

In the anchor rope/chain compartment again there is a @ 1/2 in drain hole on the port side. I took all the rope out of the compartment and with flashlight, trolled @6kts. At that speed, the water would splash up in thru the drain hole and try to fill the compartment. Were the drain hole is drilled thru the fiberglass there was a slight seperation in the resin/glass which was allowing the water to go right into the bilge area working its way to the back of the boat and being pumped out. If your speed was just right, it looked like a small river flowing.

I used a small piece of 1/2 in fuel line and placed it in the drain whole. Now, no water can get thru that small seperation.

Was glad it wasn't anything mechanical. Took a while to find it, but was determined to find the water.

[Valhalla]

Water in Bilge

Thanks for the reply. I am going to try to duplicate your experiment and find out where my water was coming from. I was trolling between 7.0 and 8.5 knots in 3-4ft seas. I am going to remove the fish boxes and get into sound and go all the way through the boat and see what happens. By the way, do you have outdrives or straight inboards?

[PurpleCedarPlug]

Thanks for the reply. I am going to try to duplicate your experiment and find out where my water was coming from. I was trolling between 7.0 and 8.5 knots in 3-4ft seas. I am going to remove the fish boxes and get into sound and go all the way through the boat and see what happens. By the way, do you have outdrives or straight inboards?

Straight Inboards..

If you take that clam chell cover off on the port bow and look into that drain hole you should be able to see if the water can get into the bilge from there. You can also pull all the rope out of the storage area and look thru the same hole from inside the boat.

Good Luck

[Split Decision]

I just talked to Wade this morning. I am getting water in my V-birth on my 32 and the drain hole in the anchor locker was one of the things he told me to check. He said that when they glass the anchor locker floor in sometimes they don't get a good seal in the corner with the glass. When the hole is drilled for the drain and there is a hollow spot in the corner, water can leak in through the crack.

The simple fix was to seal it with 5200. The better fix was to grind out the glass around the hole and reglass that area and redrill the hole. I will check it out this weekend and let you know.

[PurpleCedarPlug]

Split, What Wade described to you is exactly what my issue was. We got it fixed now.

Take a flashlight with you to see the possible seperation.

[Split Decision]

Glad you got it fixed. He said what causes it is the cloth was to thick and won't stay tight to the corner and tries to straighten out and leaves a small void in the corner.

I'm not sure if this is my problem or not. It might be the condensation tray drain or cooling lines for the AC unit. Won't know till I get in there.

[Split Decision]

I checked mine this past weekend and the anchor locker drain is where it is coming from. I put 5200 inside the hole to try to seal it temporally and will put a stainless tube in the hole when I pull the boat.

I would suggest that everyone check theirs out if your v-birth is wet inside.

[PurpleCedarPlug]

Split, glad you found it.. It seems this may be a common issue on our boats.

How's your season been going?

We been fishing a good bit off of Ocean City and this years seems to be one of the best in recent times for the Tuna. A lot of good size fish.