Bilge holes in H-31

[Jim]

I have a hunter 31 and I keep hearing about these holes people put in the bilge to let water drain. I sure would like to see a picture of where these holes are. I think you mean right in the wall of the small main bilge sump. How did you know that it just wouldn't go right through? How far from the top of the bilge did you drill the holes? How much clearance is there between the liner and that part of the hull.by-the-way. I have just completed replacing all the holding tank hoses with the trident hose sold by sailnet. Harder job than I thought it would be. The hose is very stiff and difficult to get a good seal onto fittings.Jim

 

[Gil C. - Wanderin' One]

Drilled holes in the sump

Jim, If you don't have a gross odor eminating from your cabin, you don't have the problem I did with my H31. But if you do have that odor problem, you can drain the rotten water that's trapped between your hull and hull liner by drilling a 1/4" hole just above each bottom corner of the sump. there is about 1/8" clearance between the hull liner and the hull on my boat in those loactions. The hull liner is also about 1/8 to 1/4" thick. When the water starts flowing, you will know you drilled far enough. Sorry, no picture.

 

[Jim]

we are talking the main sump above the keel

Sorry it just seems like drilling a hole into the bottom of the boat is a little scary. I have had a sewer smell for sometime but i have attributed it to the hoses on the holding tank. They where all the old white accordian type hose with the cuffs on each end, looked kinda like vaccumm cleaner hose. I have just finished replacing all the hose.I dumped bilge cleaner into the fwd bilge (under the v-berth) when i was done to rinse the small amount of head water that leaked during the job. After i did that i noticed that there was water running out of an old screw hole from a wire hanger that used to hold wires for the bilge pump, and yes it was black and nasty. So i do wish to drill these holes just want to make sure that i don't let in the sea.thanks, Jim

 

[Gil C. - Wanderin' One]

Go for it Jim!

Black and Nasty describes it. Check that screw hole to get an idea of the thickness of the hull liner. Probably about 1/4" thick. When you drill the drain holes, it's probably best to drill them in the side about 1" above the bottom of the bilge. On my boat the liner sits hard on the hull on the bottom, but there's a small space between the hull and liner on the sides of the sump. Drill just one or two, then the other two after the rotten water drains away and has been pumped out by your bilge pump.

 

[Steve Dion]

Get rid of the mold/mildew!

This black crap is mold and slime. I suggest that you pour a mixture of hot water, soap and bleach in the forward area, the aft (behind the engine pan) and the ice box. Then take the boat for a ride. The bleach will kill the spores and help purify the area in the liner. There is no way to clean this area other than chemicals.