Bilge collection

[IanJ]

I have recently bought a 1984 31' Hunter, which I love. I cannot figure out the bilge system though. I am getting a collection of water, cleanish looking and smelling, in the pan under the cockpit steps. It seems the only way it can get there is from the engine run off, and there is nowhere for it to go. Can someone help me, should there be a drain out of this sump pan? Where could this be coming from in the first place?
Help please

 

[Steve Dion]

Ian: The water comes from most anywhere (shower, refrigerator, shaft etc). If you get condensation in the hull that will also accumulate in the bilge too.

Our H'31 had a hole from the engine sump to the bilge, but technically that is not a good idea in case you have an oil leak in the engine (you would pump oil overboard). Ours had wires from the instruments running through the hole.

 

[tomgrigsby]

I had mystery water in the engine pan same place different boat. Finally figured out it was coming in from the companionway during heavy rain. Maybe you too?

 

[jtm]

could it be your packing gland that's leaking? My 28.5 packing would piddle and go down that same route- so I put a rectangular tupperware box under the packing and fitted it with a hose that went thru the lip of the engine box thru a weep hole and directly into the bilge. cuts out most all the water drip and ponding within the ribs issues.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

This is just a dumb guess but if it's 'cleanish looking' and doesn't stink, it might be melted ice from the icebox/'fridge, a leaking freshwater tank, or else fresh rainwater (as in, not old). Of all things I hate rainwater leaks. I think I hate them more than seawater leaks (which I don't have right now).

I would think a packing gland or any other seawater leak would smell brackish or salty and you'd know it at once. Shower or sink water would appear or smell soapy. Holding-tank water would also be very obvious.

Steve, I am sorry that your engine-sump drain had wires running through it. That's not good practice. If you remember the early C44s had a much-applauded molded fiberglass pan under the engine that held a full crankcase's worth and did NOT drain into the bilge-- the eco-friendly loved that back then.

I would be careful of various bilge compartments draining into each other. I fitted most of mine with rubber stoppers or levered plugs. If I have a leak from a t-hull, all but one are in a separate compartment, where the holding tank is, that I can pump out or let into the bilge for that pump to pump out. If the flexible water tanks leak I can keep it contained in their lockers till I choose to let it into the bilge. Likewise the under-seat cockpit lockers can be isolated from the bilge as well. Most importantly I put a bulkhead forward of the rudder post so if that leaks (like if I smack the rudder tip on something) it will flood only that section of the boat, unless I choose to let it into the bilge. Having this compartmentalized system also enables me to identify unexpected water in the main bilge.

 

[jtm]

Good point Diana- one could (one at a time)put a small amount of food coloring - say red into the water tank to see if tha'ts it, green in the ice box and maybe blue in the engine compartment and see what comes thru.
One spot I found rain water was coming from, was the previously uncaulked base of the pedestal, which dripped into the aft section and then down to the bilge.

Might also be a toerail section that had been stressed ( dock post ) and that opened up between the liner and the cabin mating section- check for wall fabric discoloration.

RE: The shower drain- anything soapy you really don't want sitting within the liner/ribs - it becomes a smelly science project of biofilm- much like to have in your drain pipes at home - yuk! See about installing a direct sump/bilge for that shower.

 

[IanJ]

Sorted water problem - cracked exhaust manifold, so good job just a sump or I would not have noticed it until it was too late! So are you saying that the sump under the steps that the engine sump drains into should not have a drain, but just be pumped out manually?
Now the main sump where the float switch and pump is seems to have only two drain holes into it very high up. Is that right? Are there any diagrams anywhere showing the bilge system for 1984 31s that anyone is aware of?
Recently I also had a leaking Y valve off holding tank. Where would that fluid have ended up? Nothing is showing up. Pics would be great if anyone can help.