Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum so i'll probably asking a few stupid questions for a litle while.... Here's my problem, I just put my recently aquired boat to the water. Its a Hunter 31 1986. The bilge pump seems to run every 5-10min for maybe 10 sec. I have looked to find where the water is from and found that it seems to be comming from a small hole (about 0.5 inch) located at the front part of the bilge. Is this normal??? I am afraid that the pump would stop functionning (batery runs out or someting)and that water would raise in the boat!!!! Can you help me determine where the water could be comming from. Thanks for your help. Gil.
Boat leaks ?
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Some ideas
Are you running an air conditioner? Is the water really coming from this hole, or does it just appear that way because the water moves in and out as the boat moves or water runs out of the hole from the forward bilge compartment when the bilge pump is running? If you don't have a dripless stuffing box, how fast is it dripping?
Are you running an air conditioner? Is the water really coming from this hole, or does it just appear that way because the water moves in and out as the boat moves or water runs out of the hole from the forward bilge compartment when the bilge pump is running? If you don't have a dripless stuffing box, how fast is it dripping?
things to check
The hole in the bilge is probably just a limber hole allowing drainage to the bilge. Use a flashlight and check all through-hulls. Check the water tank and lines,could be fresh water not green water. Also check keel bolts for leakage.
The hole in the bilge is probably just a limber hole allowing drainage to the bilge. Use a flashlight and check all through-hulls. Check the water tank and lines,could be fresh water not green water. Also check keel bolts for leakage.
My 1985 31' has a similar hole
It's a limber hole to allow trapped water to drain into the bilge. I had the same issue when I bought my boat only it was worse after motoring. The water was coming from a packing gland that leaked too much. The water made its way from under the engine to the forward part of the bilge before draining and being pumped overboard. You should be able to tell if the packing gland is leaking pretty quickly - there will likely be a buildup of gunk just under the area where the prop shaft goes through the hull. It's supposed to leak 1-2 drips/minute while underway, but should not leak at all while the engine is off.
It's a limber hole to allow trapped water to drain into the bilge. I had the same issue when I bought my boat only it was worse after motoring. The water was coming from a packing gland that leaked too much. The water made its way from under the engine to the forward part of the bilge before draining and being pumped overboard. You should be able to tell if the packing gland is leaking pretty quickly - there will likely be a buildup of gunk just under the area where the prop shaft goes through the hull. It's supposed to leak 1-2 drips/minute while underway, but should not leak at all while the engine is off.
G
gilapoin
found it
Thanks everyone, found where the water was comming from. It was the engine shaft that was letting water in. Just thightened the joint and fixed the problem...
Thanks everyone, found where the water was comming from. It was the engine shaft that was letting water in. Just thightened the joint and fixed the problem...
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