We have a 1999 Hunter 380 which we just bought late last year. It constantly has maybe 2 inches or so of water in the bilge and as a result it stays moldy and smells. We cleaned it out best we could but can't get it to drain all the way, when I release manual pump toggle switch an ich or so of water drains back into the bilge. Is this standing water normal? Or is there maybe something wrong with the bilge pump? Any help would really be appreciated !! Thanks Jack and Joanne Zimmerman
Bilge water
- Thread starter jackzimmerman
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First I would determine why your bilge is wet... is the water coming from a leaking shaft packing, or a leaking keel bolt, or from some other source? If possible stop the (slow?) leak.
I, also, have a wet bilge in my '01, 420. I believe mine is probably the result of a very slowly leaking keel bolt that, because of difficult accessibility, I have not been able to tighten sufficiently to get the leak to completely stop.
As far as getting all of the water out of the bilge (that remains after the bilge-pump has removed all that it can), I have used a pool toy water shooter (similar to a large turkey baster with a "piston"), to suck most of the water out and a sponge to completely dry the bilge as I attempted to find where the water was coming from.
Since I have chosen to live w/ a wet bilge, I have found that by occasionally (once or twice a year) flushing out the bilge with fresh water (from a garden hose), then wiping the bilge w/ bleach and adding "bilge cleaner" every month or so, I can keep the bilge clean and odor free even though it remains wet (requiring the bilge pump cycles once or twice a day to "empty" it).
likely it comes from AC units, I just found that mine drain (condensate) in to the bilge of all stupid places...can't keep it dry..
1st test - fresh water or outside water...if it is fresh...comes from within the boat or rain...possible sources on my hunter are freezer, fridge, shower, AC units, water leaks, drain leaks, mast boot (if you have one), etc...
brackish or seawater - seeping keel boats, leaking thru-hull, packing gland, strainers, etc.
1st test - fresh water or outside water...if it is fresh...comes from within the boat or rain...possible sources on my hunter are freezer, fridge, shower, AC units, water leaks, drain leaks, mast boot (if you have one), etc...
brackish or seawater - seeping keel boats, leaking thru-hull, packing gland, strainers, etc.
KD's correct about Fresh Water...
I plumbed my A/C units to discharge into the shower sumps; my refrig rarely produces any amt of discharge water and I don't think I have any (fresh water) leaks, so, I think more in terms of the bilge water being salt... but, as stated, the source of your bilge water could be either.
I plumbed my A/C units to discharge into the shower sumps; my refrig rarely produces any amt of discharge water and I don't think I have any (fresh water) leaks, so, I think more in terms of the bilge water being salt... but, as stated, the source of your bilge water could be either.
I have a 1998 Hunter 376 with a wet bilge. I flush it with fresh water from time to time and add bleach. Soon the water is as clean as a swimming pool. But, the problem I have found is some strange odors coming from that area that I think may be weeping from the fiberglass. Has anyone experienced this with their Hunter?
Jack:
There is not a lot you can do to prevent the water from coming back down the pump line. It should NOT leave 2" of water in the bilge.
I suggest that you get your entire bilge disinfected and dry to start. Once you do that you should add something like KO to keep your bilge clean.
Have you determine if you are dealing with fresh or salt water?
There is not a lot you can do to prevent the water from coming back down the pump line. It should NOT leave 2" of water in the bilge.
I suggest that you get your entire bilge disinfected and dry to start. Once you do that you should add something like KO to keep your bilge clean.
Have you determine if you are dealing with fresh or salt water?
Hi Steve,
I have not checked for fresh vs salt yet, will do though. I'm going to pump it out manually this weekend and disinfect it and I hope that gets rid of the smell. So how much water should be sitting in a "normal bilge" for boats like ours? Jack
I have not checked for fresh vs salt yet, will do though. I'm going to pump it out manually this weekend and disinfect it and I hope that gets rid of the smell. So how much water should be sitting in a "normal bilge" for boats like ours? Jack
Jack:
The amount is difficlut to say. I would think 1/2-1" would be reasonable. The depth is going to be dependent on the size (sq. ft) of the bilge.
There is a math guy out here that can do this for you. If you hose is 1 1/8" and is 8' long, that is the amount of water to expect in the bilge.
PS: 231 cu in./gal
The amount is difficlut to say. I would think 1/2-1" would be reasonable. The depth is going to be dependent on the size (sq. ft) of the bilge.
There is a math guy out here that can do this for you. If you hose is 1 1/8" and is 8' long, that is the amount of water to expect in the bilge.
PS: 231 cu in./gal
All the above suggestions should be tried out. What's said is good advice. On my H386 I had a wet bilge, but found the water was coming in on the stern at the joint for my rub rail (almost at the water line). I discovered rain water was running along the edge of the rub rail amidship and down to the lowest spot on the stern. The hull/deck joint was not completely chalked and after looking inside the lazzerette I discovered some mold/mildew. I caulked the joint from bow to stern along the upper rub rail as well as the one spot on the stern joint and ever since my bilge has been dry. Like Buck suggested, you also need to check for condensation lines emptying into your bilge from the air conditioner and refrigeration. I fixed those problems with a sump accumulation tank (Hunter should know better). Anyway, your bilge should stay dry. Getting water on a regular basis is a sign that the proper equipment isn't installed (sump tank), there's outside leakage (rain) or you have an internal fitting letting in seawater. That's your choices. It's tough to find them all, but you shouldn't have to "disinfect" the bilge on a regular basis as some say they do.
I have an '02 340 with the same wet bilge. I have found that it is because the bilge pump hose is run "up hill" so after the pump has dried the water there is always some the runs back into the bilge. There is a thread on here somewhere about it. That could be the problem.
Temporary fix at best...
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=482470&highlight=bilge
And this one too
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=428100&highlight=bilge
I'm betting that your idea of "disinfecting" the bilge is to pour some bleach into it. That will get rid of the odor for about a week. Wet smelly bilges are a popular topic around here...you might do a search for "bilge odor" or "smelly bilge" or "bilge cleaning"...you might start by reading my reply in this thread:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=482470&highlight=bilge
And this one too
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=428100&highlight=bilge
I also have water in the bilge that I need to find the source of. I was at the local WM store and the sales person recommended putting in a check valve after the bilge pump to keep the water from flowing back into the bilge. Sounded like a good idea to me.
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