I'm in the process of eliminating quite a nasty odor on my 1985 H31 and, from what I read in the archives, it looks like I'll need to drill at least one hole in the main bilge to allow rotten water to escape the space between the hull and the liner. From what I understand, most people drill a 1/2 to 1" hole on the forward facet of the main bilge. One of the previous owners apparently drilled a small hole about 2 inches from the top of the bilge on the forward facet but this does not appear to be low enough to allow all of the water in the liner to be pumped out. I can see nasty smelling water slowly drip out of the small hole but I'd like to drill lower to allow more water to flow out. However, I'm a bit afraid to do any drilling down without being absolutely certain I won't go through the hull. To those of you who have done this before, where did you drill? From what I can tell, most people have drilled on the front facet of the bilge, below the hole I already have. Is this correct? Thanks in advance for any help!
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Same Help Needed!
JT I also have been asking for the same help. I did drill some 1/4" holes just above the first right angle drop through the liner, in the main bilge. I got a 2 1/2 gallon pressure sprayer filled with a soap & bleach mix and sprayed into the holes. This helped with the smell somewhat. Seeing that this is a problem with "31", I too would love to see a step by step picture forum on this topic. Happy Holidays
JT I also have been asking for the same help. I did drill some 1/4" holes just above the first right angle drop through the liner, in the main bilge. I got a 2 1/2 gallon pressure sprayer filled with a soap & bleach mix and sprayed into the holes. This helped with the smell somewhat. Seeing that this is a problem with "31", I too would love to see a step by step picture forum on this topic. Happy Holidays
Patrick, Where Did You Drill?
Forward facet or on the sides? This was on the lowermost portion of the main bilge? I have a photo of my bilge with the small hole that I'll post later (couldn't figure out how to get the photo small enough yesterday).
Forward facet or on the sides? This was on the lowermost portion of the main bilge? I have a photo of my bilge with the small hole that I'll post later (couldn't figure out how to get the photo small enough yesterday).
Photo Attached
Here's the way things look now. I'm thinking of drilling a new and larger hole directly below the existing hole you can see in the photo, but just above the very bottom of the bilge. Is this where others have drilled?
Here's the way things look now. I'm thinking of drilling a new and larger hole directly below the existing hole you can see in the photo, but just above the very bottom of the bilge. Is this where others have drilled?
You're Lower
Your hole is lower than the ones I drilled. I think you helped me more than I helped you.
Your hole is lower than the ones I drilled. I think you helped me more than I helped you.
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Found This
I found this pict in the 34' forum, that's why I drilled where I did. I don't know for sure if the 31' has a false bilge like the 34' does. Some 34' owners have removed the false bildge floor and reglass it to make it deeper. There is a picture forum it the 34' section. Like I said, I don't know if its the same for the 31'
I found this pict in the 34' forum, that's why I drilled where I did. I don't know for sure if the 31' has a false bilge like the 34' does. Some 34' owners have removed the false bildge floor and reglass it to make it deeper. There is a picture forum it the 34' section. Like I said, I don't know if its the same for the 31'
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Investigate?
JT, Can't get to my boat right now to drill that hole like your's, it's on the hard and covered with snow, but if you can stick a wire down that hole you have and see how far it goes it might give you a clue where to drill. Let me know. Patrick (email: patbfd@yahoo.com)
JT, Can't get to my boat right now to drill that hole like your's, it's on the hard and covered with snow, but if you can stick a wire down that hole you have and see how far it goes it might give you a clue where to drill. Let me know. Patrick (email: patbfd@yahoo.com)
Update
I made it out to the boat yesterday and used a coat hanger to try and get a feel for the dimentions of the small hole shown in my prior photos. I wasn't really able to determine anything this way - I was able to push the wire into the hole about an inch when it pushed up against something that seemed metallic. I'm wondering if that's the keel given the location of that hole. I also tried to angle the wire downward to determine if another hole could be drilled lower. Unfortunately, the liner was too thick to get any useful reading. I then spent some time trying to figure out where the nasty water coming out of that hole might be originating. I discovered that the previous owner had drilled a number of holes in the liner to allow water in the shower sump and under the port settee to drain. I used my hose to spray water into each of these holes to see if it caused water to shoot out of the small hole in the bilge. No luck. I then used the hose to spray water into the small hole in the bilge - and when I removed the hose, nasty water shot out of the small hole at quite a high rate for about 45 minutes. Apparently there was some sort of blockage in there that was cleared up by the water pressure. I then dumped bleach into the shower sump and followed that up with lots and lots of water to try and clear up some of the odor down there. The bleach and water all drained into the bilge through the small hole. Unfortunately, there's also standing water in the upper portion of the bilge, under the grate below the stairs and just forward of the engine. The previous owner has also drilled a 1" hole in the lower corner of the forward-left portion of that bilge, but water doesn't seem to be draining. I tried shooting water in there with the hose to no avail. Apparently there's no way for the water to get from that part of the boat to the small hole in the forward portion of the bilge. I used a manual pump to get most of the liquid out of there but I'm pretty sure that whatever is below that portion of the liner is also causing odor. I'm leaving that mystery for another day. In any event, I'm not sure how the previous owner figured out where to drill that small hole in the main bilge, but it does appear to help. After using the wire to explore the hole a bit, I've only been able to figure out that I probably would never have drilled that hole myself. The liner seemed very thick, and there didn't appear to be much if any clearance between the liner and the metallic object on the other side. However, I'm glad it's there as it gives me a chance to run some bleach and water through the forward portions of the boat to try and eliminate that nasty odor. I'd still love to hear from other H31 owners about their experiences, and I'd also like to see photos of any success stories. I'll also try and post more information and photos as I discover more.
I made it out to the boat yesterday and used a coat hanger to try and get a feel for the dimentions of the small hole shown in my prior photos. I wasn't really able to determine anything this way - I was able to push the wire into the hole about an inch when it pushed up against something that seemed metallic. I'm wondering if that's the keel given the location of that hole. I also tried to angle the wire downward to determine if another hole could be drilled lower. Unfortunately, the liner was too thick to get any useful reading. I then spent some time trying to figure out where the nasty water coming out of that hole might be originating. I discovered that the previous owner had drilled a number of holes in the liner to allow water in the shower sump and under the port settee to drain. I used my hose to spray water into each of these holes to see if it caused water to shoot out of the small hole in the bilge. No luck. I then used the hose to spray water into the small hole in the bilge - and when I removed the hose, nasty water shot out of the small hole at quite a high rate for about 45 minutes. Apparently there was some sort of blockage in there that was cleared up by the water pressure. I then dumped bleach into the shower sump and followed that up with lots and lots of water to try and clear up some of the odor down there. The bleach and water all drained into the bilge through the small hole. Unfortunately, there's also standing water in the upper portion of the bilge, under the grate below the stairs and just forward of the engine. The previous owner has also drilled a 1" hole in the lower corner of the forward-left portion of that bilge, but water doesn't seem to be draining. I tried shooting water in there with the hose to no avail. Apparently there's no way for the water to get from that part of the boat to the small hole in the forward portion of the bilge. I used a manual pump to get most of the liquid out of there but I'm pretty sure that whatever is below that portion of the liner is also causing odor. I'm leaving that mystery for another day. In any event, I'm not sure how the previous owner figured out where to drill that small hole in the main bilge, but it does appear to help. After using the wire to explore the hole a bit, I've only been able to figure out that I probably would never have drilled that hole myself. The liner seemed very thick, and there didn't appear to be much if any clearance between the liner and the metallic object on the other side. However, I'm glad it's there as it gives me a chance to run some bleach and water through the forward portions of the boat to try and eliminate that nasty odor. I'd still love to hear from other H31 owners about their experiences, and I'd also like to see photos of any success stories. I'll also try and post more information and photos as I discover more.
Check Mind Too
Went down to check mind too, we had a northeaster storm with winds of 50 mph. Wanted to check the boat cover. While there I checked the bilge. There is water between the liner and hull. It had frozen and forced the bilge liner in. I marked the spots and plan to drill in the spring, You are right about the bilge under the grate at the steps, 1" hole on engine side to let water in, no out. I also dump that soap & bleach mix under the v beds up front throught that small door. That's where the liner starts. I also dump the mix down the small storage locker in the rear bed area behind the engine. Where the liner ends. You can look in at this spot and see up to the galley. My was petty dirty. Used the sprayer to shoot the mix down that way to clean it up. I don't know how long this post will stay up. My email is patbfd@yahoo.com
Went down to check mind too, we had a northeaster storm with winds of 50 mph. Wanted to check the boat cover. While there I checked the bilge. There is water between the liner and hull. It had frozen and forced the bilge liner in. I marked the spots and plan to drill in the spring, You are right about the bilge under the grate at the steps, 1" hole on engine side to let water in, no out. I also dump that soap & bleach mix under the v beds up front throught that small door. That's where the liner starts. I also dump the mix down the small storage locker in the rear bed area behind the engine. Where the liner ends. You can look in at this spot and see up to the galley. My was petty dirty. Used the sprayer to shoot the mix down that way to clean it up. I don't know how long this post will stay up. My email is patbfd@yahoo.com
I Drilled
JT I drilled a 7/8" hole 2" above the bilge floor just below where your hole was. No problems, just drill slow. The liner is 1/4" thick with about a 1/2" air space before you hit the hull. Patrick
JT I drilled a 7/8" hole 2" above the bilge floor just below where your hole was. No problems, just drill slow. The liner is 1/4" thick with about a 1/2" air space before you hit the hull. Patrick
Yes
Steve, that's it. I could of gone lower but I wanted to see how the float switch will be affected. I ran some blue dye water under the V berth and it show up at that hole first, instead of the hole at the false bilge, under the grate, by the engine where it normally would. I also found that there is space around all four side and a little on the bottom of the bilge. Maybe that's why you have that plug there.
Steve, that's it. I could of gone lower but I wanted to see how the float switch will be affected. I ran some blue dye water under the V berth and it show up at that hole first, instead of the hole at the false bilge, under the grate, by the engine where it normally would. I also found that there is space around all four side and a little on the bottom of the bilge. Maybe that's why you have that plug there.
Picture attached of my bilge drain
Patrick The photo attached is the plugged drain that I found in my bilge. Thanks for the help Steve
Patrick The photo attached is the plugged drain that I found in my bilge. Thanks for the help Steve
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Bilge well under sink
1984 Hunter 31 The area under my sink does not have a drain hole so water collects there. The bulkhead has been removed so that the hot water heater can be replaced. I'll get to the gate value when the boat is pulled next fall. Would you recommend removing the sole and drilling a hole forward or straight down? The bilge area under the steps does not have a drain hole either. Thanks Steve
1984 Hunter 31 The area under my sink does not have a drain hole so water collects there. The bulkhead has been removed so that the hot water heater can be replaced. I'll get to the gate value when the boat is pulled next fall. Would you recommend removing the sole and drilling a hole forward or straight down? The bilge area under the steps does not have a drain hole either. Thanks Steve
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1984 Hunter 31, Better View of Plugged Bilge Drain
Attached is a better view of the bilge drain. It has a plastic plug set in about 3/4" in. The hole is treaded.
Attached is a better view of the bilge drain. It has a plastic plug set in about 3/4" in. The hole is treaded.
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