This may be a dumb question, but I just purchased a 1985 25.5 a few months ago. I live in NY and we just had a week of rain so I figured it would be a good idea to check the boat for any noticable leaks. I didn't notice any water in the cabin at all so I decided to check the bilge area there was nothing in the rear bilge area, but when I opened the forward access there was 2-3 inches of brown water. I remember when I had it surveyed there was some water in the boat, but I can't remember how much.(the brokerage had left the companionway open for who knows how long prior to me buying the boat) Anyway I didn't have time to pump the water out when I was there, but I plan on going back pumping it all out however there is a smell that the boat has had since we purchased it. Putting 2 & 2 together I am guessing the smell is coming from the bilge. Is there some kind of treatment I should be adding to the bilge compartments? Also does anyone know if the 25.5 has an installed bilge pump (manual) I know the PO left a couple manual pumps (like you buy from West Marine) on the boat, but it looks like there is hose leading down to the bilge from somewhere. Anyone ever install an electric bilge in a 25.5? Thanks, Jeremy
Bilge Water?
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Boats leak
2-3 inches is quite manageable, and I wouldn't put in a bilge pump just for that. Use a sponge and a bucket. The leaks likely come in from above and seep downward. It can be quite a challenge ascertaining the source of the leaks, but a wonderous discovery when successful. Vigorously clean out the bilge and observe when it gets wet again. After the next dry-out, go sailing and see if it gets wet again. This does not mean it's coming through the bottom or the keel, but rather from the seams where the top of the boat is bolted to the bottom.
2-3 inches is quite manageable, and I wouldn't put in a bilge pump just for that. Use a sponge and a bucket. The leaks likely come in from above and seep downward. It can be quite a challenge ascertaining the source of the leaks, but a wonderous discovery when successful. Vigorously clean out the bilge and observe when it gets wet again. After the next dry-out, go sailing and see if it gets wet again. This does not mean it's coming through the bottom or the keel, but rather from the seams where the top of the boat is bolted to the bottom.
Don't need bilge pump
If you don't have an inboard motor you won't need to install a bilge pump. Most of the water that I've gotten into my bilge has always been fresh water, which turned out to be my forward hatch leaking. Since I think your refering to the space that is in the forward cabin it would be the first thing that I'd check. I ended up replacing mine and it makes a world of difference. This off season I plan on replacing the ones in the main cabin. The hose that is in your deep bilge comes from your Ice Box. It has been very easy to keep up with ice melt with a plastic cup that I use to scoop the water out and pour into the sink. Just make sure that the water in your bilge is fresh so that you know your keelbolts or throughhulls aren't leaking.
If you don't have an inboard motor you won't need to install a bilge pump. Most of the water that I've gotten into my bilge has always been fresh water, which turned out to be my forward hatch leaking. Since I think your refering to the space that is in the forward cabin it would be the first thing that I'd check. I ended up replacing mine and it makes a world of difference. This off season I plan on replacing the ones in the main cabin. The hose that is in your deep bilge comes from your Ice Box. It has been very easy to keep up with ice melt with a plastic cup that I use to scoop the water out and pour into the sink. Just make sure that the water in your bilge is fresh so that you know your keelbolts or throughhulls aren't leaking.
If you leave your boat in the water
on a mooring or a slip I would think an electric bilge pump that is on automatic all the time would be a common sense thing for ANY boat.
on a mooring or a slip I would think an electric bilge pump that is on automatic all the time would be a common sense thing for ANY boat.
No bilge "treatment"....
You're not gonna get off as easy as just dumping something into the bilge, you're gonna have to do a little manual labor.
Flush that whole bilge area out very thoroughly with a strong solution of detergent and water (NO BLEACH!), followed a THOROUGH rinse with plenty of clean water. If you have a power washer, use it (if you don't, you might strongly consider buying one..they're not expensive)...'cuz you want to get into every nook and cranny with both the detergent and the clean water rinse. After you've cleaned the bilge, dry it out. Use a dinghy bailer, sponge, bucket--whatever it takes to get ALL the water out. Then leave that area open for at least 24 hours so it can dry. As for your question about whether to install an electric bilge pump--with a float switch (which is needed to make it come on automatically)--I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't install one on a boat that stays in the water. Even enough rain water can fill a bilge enough to to sink a boat if the cockpit drains become clogged. Expect the best...but always plan for the worst, 'cuz Murphy was actually an optimist.
You're not gonna get off as easy as just dumping something into the bilge, you're gonna have to do a little manual labor.
Flush that whole bilge area out very thoroughly with a strong solution of detergent and water (NO BLEACH!), followed a THOROUGH rinse with plenty of clean water. If you have a power washer, use it (if you don't, you might strongly consider buying one..they're not expensive)...'cuz you want to get into every nook and cranny with both the detergent and the clean water rinse. After you've cleaned the bilge, dry it out. Use a dinghy bailer, sponge, bucket--whatever it takes to get ALL the water out. Then leave that area open for at least 24 hours so it can dry. As for your question about whether to install an electric bilge pump--with a float switch (which is needed to make it come on automatically)--I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't install one on a boat that stays in the water. Even enough rain water can fill a bilge enough to to sink a boat if the cockpit drains become clogged. Expect the best...but always plan for the worst, 'cuz Murphy was actually an optimist.Go with a bilge pump
"I would think an electric bilge pump that is on automatic all the time would be a common sense thing for ANY boat." -Agreed s/v Elan ('85 25.5)
"I would think an electric bilge pump that is on automatic all the time would be a common sense thing for ANY boat." -Agreed s/v Elan ('85 25.5)
A pump it is....
I plan on installing an electric pump in the spring. I am a bit puzzeled why it doesn't have one, but who knows. I will attempt to clean out the mess this weekend. Thanks! Jeremy
I plan on installing an electric pump in the spring. I am a bit puzzeled why it doesn't have one, but who knows. I will attempt to clean out the mess this weekend. Thanks! Jeremy
Pine Sol is not a detergent...
It's a pine oil (solvent) cleaner. Wisk, Tide etc--all laundry detergents, liquids and powders--are detergents. You'd want to use a liquid in your bilge. So are all dishwashing liquids, just not as "heavy duty" as laundry detergents. If it's really bad, use a detergent degreaser from an auto parts store.
It's a pine oil (solvent) cleaner. Wisk, Tide etc--all laundry detergents, liquids and powders--are detergents. You'd want to use a liquid in your bilge. So are all dishwashing liquids, just not as "heavy duty" as laundry detergents. If it's really bad, use a detergent degreaser from an auto parts store.
Peggy's creation BC is great!
Had some bilge problems of my own and used BC, product created by Peggy (avail here at HOW and/or some stores.) It's very, very good and I'm now a convert. Worked better than anything I've tried. Peggy: Why no bleach? I dumped some into my bilge and it turned the dark stuff clear, making it much more palatable working and getting all the gunk out. I didn't pump overboard if that's the concern. Other problems?
Had some bilge problems of my own and used BC, product created by Peggy (avail here at HOW and/or some stores.) It's very, very good and I'm now a convert. Worked better than anything I've tried. Peggy: Why no bleach? I dumped some into my bilge and it turned the dark stuff clear, making it much more palatable working and getting all the gunk out. I didn't pump overboard if that's the concern. Other problems?
A little leak....
Well I flushed the bilge with clean water and then pumped the thing dry. I wiped it out so it was completely dry. There is a shoe box sized "sump" in the bilge area and I noticed that on one of the walls of the sump there is a slow trickle of water coming in. Should I try to caulk this up or is it just a case of boats leak? -- Jeremy
Well I flushed the bilge with clean water and then pumped the thing dry. I wiped it out so it was completely dry. There is a shoe box sized "sump" in the bilge area and I noticed that on one of the walls of the sump there is a slow trickle of water coming in. Should I try to caulk this up or is it just a case of boats leak? -- Jeremy
Sounds like you found it....
I own a 25.5 too. And if you have a leak in the "shoe box" size sump area, sounds like you may have a leak where the keel and hull connect. Since it's that time of the year to pull your boat out of the water, I'd take a good look from the outside when on the hard. Are there any keel bolts loose? Did the PO have a hard grounding? If unsure what your looking at, I'd get some help. If you're close to Rochester NY, I'd help out. I'm not sure where you're located. Let us know how you make out on this issue. Good luck.
I own a 25.5 too. And if you have a leak in the "shoe box" size sump area, sounds like you may have a leak where the keel and hull connect. Since it's that time of the year to pull your boat out of the water, I'd take a good look from the outside when on the hard. Are there any keel bolts loose? Did the PO have a hard grounding? If unsure what your looking at, I'd get some help. If you're close to Rochester NY, I'd help out. I'm not sure where you're located. Let us know how you make out on this issue. Good luck.
Ok...
ok... I guess I will have to have someone take a look at it. I just had it surveyed about a two months ago. The Surveyor said the keel was well connected. I hope it's not a major issue. I appreciate everyones help. Bobkat thanks for the offer and the advise. -- Jeremy
ok... I guess I will have to have someone take a look at it. I just had it surveyed about a two months ago. The Surveyor said the keel was well connected. I hope it's not a major issue. I appreciate everyones help. Bobkat thanks for the offer and the advise. -- Jeremy
For what it's worth...
"I hope it's not a major issue." -I'm guessing that it's not. s/v Elan ('85 25.5)
"I hope it's not a major issue." -I'm guessing that it's not. s/v Elan ('85 25.5)
Thanks...
Thanks Bill! This is my first boat so I tend to be unsure of everything I encounter atleast the first time. I am very glad I found this site. A wealth of knowlage at my disposal. -- Jeremy
Thanks Bill! This is my first boat so I tend to be unsure of everything I encounter atleast the first time. I am very glad I found this site. A wealth of knowlage at my disposal.
-- JeremyWondering....
Jeremy, was the boat out of the water when the surveyor inspected it? Is there a crack/split in the bilge area that you can see (in the shoe box area)? Or is the water coming from above somewhere and trickling down to the bilge area (shoe box)? Also, I'm assuming that when you say "sump" you mean the lower (shoe box) bilge area. (that's the spot where you would place a bilge pump... when you do it
Jeremy, was the boat out of the water when the surveyor inspected it? Is there a crack/split in the bilge area that you can see (in the shoe box area)? Or is the water coming from above somewhere and trickling down to the bilge area (shoe box)? Also, I'm assuming that when you say "sump" you mean the lower (shoe box) bilge area. (that's the spot where you would place a bilge pump... when you do it
I am not sure...
I am not sure it's a split or a crack. Down there the surface was more uneven/unfinished. The trickle was coming from the bottom edge of one of the "wrinkles" thats midway up the rear "sump" wall. The weird thing is the water never really got much higher than the "sump" area. I am sure a small dab of caulking would stop the leak, but I dunno if that would just be like putting a band aid on a wound that needs stiches. The surveyor did the survey in and out of the water. -- Jeremy
I am not sure it's a split or a crack. Down there the surface was more uneven/unfinished. The trickle was coming from the bottom edge of one of the "wrinkles" thats midway up the rear "sump" wall. The weird thing is the water never really got much higher than the "sump" area. I am sure a small dab of caulking would stop the leak, but I dunno if that would just be like putting a band aid on a wound that needs stiches. The surveyor did the survey in and out of the water. -- Jeremy
Bilge Water 25.5
Hi, I own an '86 Hunter 25.5 that I have fully restored inside and out. I have completely removed the inside cabin and put in a new cabin sole, seating and cabinets. I found 2 sources of water in the bilge-- a leaking fresh water tank and minor trickling from the deck around the toe rails. Both were easily fixed. It is highly unlikely that you have water from a leak below the waterline. Regarding smell besides the bilge and commode, another major source of smell I found in my boat was retained moisture/mold under the V-birth cushions and rear bunk. This was easily fixed by installing interlocking raised deck grid that allows ventillation under the cushions from the condensate that forms with a cold hull and moisture in the air. Oh, by the way, a very good cleaning agent for must and mold is Lysol in the little brown bottle added to a bucket of water. I think it contains phenol or phenol-like chemicals that kill mold and inhibit future growth. Cheers-- Mike
Hi, I own an '86 Hunter 25.5 that I have fully restored inside and out. I have completely removed the inside cabin and put in a new cabin sole, seating and cabinets. I found 2 sources of water in the bilge-- a leaking fresh water tank and minor trickling from the deck around the toe rails. Both were easily fixed. It is highly unlikely that you have water from a leak below the waterline. Regarding smell besides the bilge and commode, another major source of smell I found in my boat was retained moisture/mold under the V-birth cushions and rear bunk. This was easily fixed by installing interlocking raised deck grid that allows ventillation under the cushions from the condensate that forms with a cold hull and moisture in the air. Oh, by the way, a very good cleaning agent for must and mold is Lysol in the little brown bottle added to a bucket of water. I think it contains phenol or phenol-like chemicals that kill mold and inhibit future growth. Cheers-- Mike
Still trouble shooting...
If you're positive it is leaking in the bilge, then as a last test, I'd see if it still leaks when it's on the hard this winter. If you're not sailing and it's out of the water, plus it's not rain or condensation that's causing it, then I'd safely guess it's "a leak". Again, check around the keel real good (when out of the water), check the keel bolts... it only takes a small crack for water to force it's way in. The only thing that still is weird is it's not constant. You say it only gets to a level and stops. Or are you drying it out and not really sure? Also, have your marina check it when you're done and see what their opinion is. Bottom line is I'd want it fixed from the outside, not caulked from within (if it's a leak). Again, good luck. Bob
If you're positive it is leaking in the bilge, then as a last test, I'd see if it still leaks when it's on the hard this winter. If you're not sailing and it's out of the water, plus it's not rain or condensation that's causing it, then I'd safely guess it's "a leak". Again, check around the keel real good (when out of the water), check the keel bolts... it only takes a small crack for water to force it's way in. The only thing that still is weird is it's not constant. You say it only gets to a level and stops. Or are you drying it out and not really sure? Also, have your marina check it when you're done and see what their opinion is. Bottom line is I'd want it fixed from the outside, not caulked from within (if it's a leak). Again, good luck. Bob
Deck leak...
I went to check on the boat again and there was less water in the bilge then before and after I pumped it all out I didn't notice any trickles this time. I think the water is leaking in from the deck area during rains. No big suprise there were a few leak stains when we purchased it. My wife cleaned them off the innershell, but I notice they are back. Any way to caulk the toe rail? I also need to caulk the shroud plates. Thanks for all your help! -- Jeremy
I went to check on the boat again and there was less water in the bilge then before and after I pumped it all out I didn't notice any trickles this time. I think the water is leaking in from the deck area during rains. No big suprise there were a few leak stains when we purchased it. My wife cleaned them off the innershell, but I notice they are back. Any way to caulk the toe rail? I also need to caulk the shroud plates. Thanks for all your help! -- Jeremy
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