272 bilge

[jim inFW]

I am having trouble finding a leak in the bilge. I pump water out before we leave port and as we motor/sail keep an eye on it and we get little if no water in bilge as we are out. After docking we will get 2 or 3 inches in bilge in 10 min. or so. We again pump and have small amount coming in for an hour or so then it seems to quit. Any thoughts? Keel bolts? Can the bolts be tighten with boat in water? Thanks in advance.Jim and Becky

 

[Jeff]

In-board or out-board

If the boat has an in board engine it may be the stuffing box. These can drip after the engine is off. Keel bolts would leak all the time.Good luck.Jeff

 

[jim inFW]

in board

it is an inboard but is there a connection from engine area and salon bilge? I assume there had to be but I am unable to find it.Jim

 

[jeff]

322

On my 322 there is a hole in the engine area that connects to the bilge.See if there is water under the engine. If so the stuffing box may need to be tightened and this will be a good place to start.I owned a 272 for 10 years and loved the boat.Also does the ice box drain into the bilge.Did on mine..Good luck

 

[Frank Conley]

Jim & Becky,The engine bilge in my 272 drains to the floorboard bilge where the keelbolts are located. I know this because not only did the water in my engine bilge (from my leaky stuffing box) drain to the floorboard bilge, but the oil from the hole in my oilpan (it eventually rusted out being exposed to salt water from the leaky stuffing box) drained to the floorboard bilge. I note my boat only has one bilge pump and it is in the floorboard bilge. Since the engine bilge drains to this one I had a convenient way to pump out the engine bilge water. Check your stuffing box for leaks. I replaced my with a dripless shaft seal and have had dry bilges for two seasons so far. The rusted out oil pan repair was a horror story too painful to recount.....Hope this helps,Frank