H31 Folks- I have read about holes that can be drilled in the H31 bilge to allow water to drain from under the floor liner. I've just done a search of the HOW archives and couldn't find anything about this. My boat has an odor that may be evidence of water collected under the liner. I am hesitant to do any drilling but would like to hear any advice from anyone who has done this. Thanks. Laura Bertran 1985 H31, Rising Tide Annapolis, MD
H31 Bilge Holes
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bilge holes
I also had a hard time finding out what everyone was talking about. But finally figured it out. In you bilge at the very bottom where your bilge pump should be, follow the side up, then about one inch down the side from that corner at the top is where I drilled mine. Actually in my case there was evidence of an old screw hole at this point where water was just dribbling out. I enlarged it to about 1/2" with a drill bit. When you do this be carefull because you only want to drill through the liner which is about 1/8" thick mine has a gap of about a 1/4" then you would be hitting the inside surface of the Hull. Once i enlarged this hole the water ran out freely, I poured a couple gallons of bleached water under the V-berth then a gallon of water mixed with bilger cleaner. The other thing you may want to look at is the head hoses, if the hoses are the original cuffed hoses that look like a vacuum cleaner hose then those would need to be replaced also to complete get rid of the odor, I have also done this. It is not that bad of a job. Jim
I also had a hard time finding out what everyone was talking about. But finally figured it out. In you bilge at the very bottom where your bilge pump should be, follow the side up, then about one inch down the side from that corner at the top is where I drilled mine. Actually in my case there was evidence of an old screw hole at this point where water was just dribbling out. I enlarged it to about 1/2" with a drill bit. When you do this be carefull because you only want to drill through the liner which is about 1/8" thick mine has a gap of about a 1/4" then you would be hitting the inside surface of the Hull. Once i enlarged this hole the water ran out freely, I poured a couple gallons of bleached water under the V-berth then a gallon of water mixed with bilger cleaner. The other thing you may want to look at is the head hoses, if the hoses are the original cuffed hoses that look like a vacuum cleaner hose then those would need to be replaced also to complete get rid of the odor, I have also done this. It is not that bad of a job. Jim
Jim, I have one more question...
...This is VERY helpful. I get the height of the hole but I'm not sure which corner you mean. Is it the aft port corner? And do you only need a hole in one of the corners? I changed out the head hoses as soon as I bought the boat 3 years ago. That's why I think that the problem must be smelly water under the liner. Thanks a lot Jim.
...This is VERY helpful. I get the height of the hole but I'm not sure which corner you mean. Is it the aft port corner? And do you only need a hole in one of the corners? I changed out the head hoses as soon as I bought the boat 3 years ago. That's why I think that the problem must be smelly water under the liner. Thanks a lot Jim.
good thread for that subject
http://archive.sailboatowners.com/archive/archivepview.tpl?sku=2003349232124.71&forumabr=ms&fno=4&_ptitle=ptitle%2Brtitle&&model=none&forum=none&andor=wo&keyword=bilge%20holes&pr=p&ssite=HOW&srt=pdate&start=1&db=2003
http://archive.sailboatowners.com/archive/archivepview.tpl?sku=2003349232124.71&forumabr=ms&fno=4&_ptitle=ptitle%2Brtitle&&model=none&forum=none&andor=wo&keyword=bilge%20holes&pr=p&ssite=HOW&srt=pdate&start=1&db=2003
picture
i wish i had a photo the corner im talking about is the top corner this is your bilge looking forward ignore the dots in the picture. __.........._____ .........../<---the hole is right here .....___/.... hope this works out
i wish i had a photo the corner im talking about is the top corner this is your bilge looking forward ignore the dots in the picture. __.........._____ .........../<---the hole is right here .....___/.... hope this works out
Thanks Jim and Chandler...
...Jim, your drawing is very helpful. And the thread that Chandler sent the link for is the one I remembered seeing but couldn't find in the archives. Thank you both for taking the time to help me with this.
...Jim, your drawing is very helpful. And the thread that Chandler sent the link for is the one I remembered seeing but couldn't find in the archives. Thank you both for taking the time to help me with this.
Bilge Holes - Follow-up
Hi List, I've been following your conversation re odor and bilge holes to allow trapped water to be removed from between the hull and floor pan. I don't own a 31 but have looked at 5 since last fall intending to buy one. All had significant odor that I could not determine the source for. 3 boats were quite wet ( cushions, cabin sole, full bilge, etc) and I assumed that was the cause. Just last Monday I looked at an '84 which was quite dry and well ventilated and still found the same odor. Perhaps I now know why and know how to fix. One question, where is/are the most likely sources of the water which is getting trapped here....stanchions, port lights, hull/deck joint, mast step? I also know that many of the mid 80 hunters had significant problems with the mast step/compression post. This boat appears to be ok in this regard but perhaps water is entering here and working its way down to the space between the pan and hull...a sure sign that trouble is on the way if it is not fixed. Thanks for any addtional comments. Bob Walter
Hi List, I've been following your conversation re odor and bilge holes to allow trapped water to be removed from between the hull and floor pan. I don't own a 31 but have looked at 5 since last fall intending to buy one. All had significant odor that I could not determine the source for. 3 boats were quite wet ( cushions, cabin sole, full bilge, etc) and I assumed that was the cause. Just last Monday I looked at an '84 which was quite dry and well ventilated and still found the same odor. Perhaps I now know why and know how to fix. One question, where is/are the most likely sources of the water which is getting trapped here....stanchions, port lights, hull/deck joint, mast step? I also know that many of the mid 80 hunters had significant problems with the mast step/compression post. This boat appears to be ok in this regard but perhaps water is entering here and working its way down to the space between the pan and hull...a sure sign that trouble is on the way if it is not fixed. Thanks for any addtional comments. Bob Walter
1986 hunter31
I, too wish to rid my bilge of odor. Any suggestions where to drill hole into liner w/o hitting hull? Looking forward in bilge on the portside above the 3"wide ledge there is a hole already.
I, too wish to rid my bilge of odor. Any suggestions where to drill hole into liner w/o hitting hull? Looking forward in bilge on the portside above the 3"wide ledge there is a hole already.
jim's drawing
I take it it it is on the starboard side opposite the ledge. How far up from base of bilge do I drill the 1/2" hole. Assuming I'm still floating, Where do I pour the bleach to cleanse the liner space.
I take it it it is on the starboard side opposite the ledge. How far up from base of bilge do I drill the 1/2" hole. Assuming I'm still floating, Where do I pour the bleach to cleanse the liner space.
hole location
I drilled the hole on the starboard side but you could probably do it on either, mine is about 1.5" from the top of the bilge wall about a foot from the aft wall. Jim
I drilled the hole on the starboard side but you could probably do it on either, mine is about 1.5" from the top of the bilge wall about a foot from the aft wall. Jim
Where Does The Water Come From?
Bob- My boat is VERY dry. We had some leaks when we bought it but have repaired them:tighten toe rail bolts, re-bed cockpit scuppers, re-bed steering pedestal guard, re-route mast wire entry into cabin. I hate to say this, but I think our unpleasant odor comes from a small sewage leak due to a loose hose clamp on the holding tank, which we have tightened and added a second hose clamp. I'd like to spray some bleach and water under the v-berth to clean this up, and be sure that it'll drain into the bilge.
Bob- My boat is VERY dry. We had some leaks when we bought it but have repaired them:tighten toe rail bolts, re-bed cockpit scuppers, re-bed steering pedestal guard, re-route mast wire entry into cabin. I hate to say this, but I think our unpleasant odor comes from a small sewage leak due to a loose hose clamp on the holding tank, which we have tightened and added a second hose clamp. I'd like to spray some bleach and water under the v-berth to clean this up, and be sure that it'll drain into the bilge.
Water...Water
Most of the water comes from a leaking shaft packing or the shower. Hunter drains the shower by way of two pans in the cabin liner. They are connect by 3/8 plastic tubing. The problem is they never sealed the tubing. Water leaks around the tubing and gets trapped between the hull and the liner. People have been drilling holes all over the place on these boats.
Most of the water comes from a leaking shaft packing or the shower. Hunter drains the shower by way of two pans in the cabin liner. They are connect by 3/8 plastic tubing. The problem is they never sealed the tubing. Water leaks around the tubing and gets trapped between the hull and the liner. People have been drilling holes all over the place on these boats.
pictures
I will take some pictures of the holes i drilled and post them tommorrow night this should answer all the questions.
I will take some pictures of the holes i drilled and post them tommorrow night this should answer all the questions.
Follow-up to my Follow-up
Sorry to beat a well ridden horse, but this topic and its related causes are very important to me. If the water/odor in the 31 can't be eliminated I'll scratch the 31 from my list of boats I'd like to own since my wife would not want to stay aboard. So, I have a few more questions and hope the list can provide more insight. First, the boat appears to have ribs ( think wooden boats )under the floor pan to strenghten the hull. Yes? Are they made of wood...something else? If so, do they essentially create several "water tight" compartments that will each require draining in order to remove the water? If so, where do you drill the other holes to get the water out? Where/how do you add water/dilute bleach to flush this/these confined spaces? If the ribs are made of wood, is there concern that the trapped water has caused the wood to rot? How can you check? Drill through the pan into the ribs to provide visual/core samples to evaluate? Are there often issues with the keel bolts beacuse of laying in trapped water/goop that is anaerobic ( low oxygen environment ) that leads to crevice corrosion? Can you access all the bolts easily? Remember seing one forward near the mast compression post and one in the rear...but don't remember seeing any others. Do you have to cut out some of the floor pan to access them. Plan to go back next week and give the 31 I looked at on Monday a very thorough going over and I'd like to be fully prepared to do so. Any tips of any kind you can provide will be welcome. Thanks again. Bob Walter
Sorry to beat a well ridden horse, but this topic and its related causes are very important to me. If the water/odor in the 31 can't be eliminated I'll scratch the 31 from my list of boats I'd like to own since my wife would not want to stay aboard. So, I have a few more questions and hope the list can provide more insight. First, the boat appears to have ribs ( think wooden boats )under the floor pan to strenghten the hull. Yes? Are they made of wood...something else? If so, do they essentially create several "water tight" compartments that will each require draining in order to remove the water? If so, where do you drill the other holes to get the water out? Where/how do you add water/dilute bleach to flush this/these confined spaces? If the ribs are made of wood, is there concern that the trapped water has caused the wood to rot? How can you check? Drill through the pan into the ribs to provide visual/core samples to evaluate? Are there often issues with the keel bolts beacuse of laying in trapped water/goop that is anaerobic ( low oxygen environment ) that leads to crevice corrosion? Can you access all the bolts easily? Remember seing one forward near the mast compression post and one in the rear...but don't remember seeing any others. Do you have to cut out some of the floor pan to access them. Plan to go back next week and give the 31 I looked at on Monday a very thorough going over and I'd like to be fully prepared to do so. Any tips of any kind you can provide will be welcome. Thanks again. Bob Walter
We have no odor!
We have owned our H'31 since it was new. I periodically take some hot water, soap (low suds) and bleach. Mix this together and pour it in strategic spots. (behind the engine sump, down the ice box and under the v-berth. Take the boat out for a spin and the mixture cleans out the grid and drain into the bilge.
We have owned our H'31 since it was new. I periodically take some hot water, soap (low suds) and bleach. Mix this together and pour it in strategic spots. (behind the engine sump, down the ice box and under the v-berth. Take the boat out for a spin and the mixture cleans out the grid and drain into the bilge.
sweating this issure too much
You all are sweating about this too much, it is not that big of a deal. drill a hole to ensure the water drains from between the liner and the hull a few inches above the bottom of the bilge (the one above the keel in the middle of the boat)this ensures any trapped water drains. then dump a bucket or two of bleach water under the v-berth through the little door let it drain into the bilge and pump it out, you can even use the cool scented bleach. also make sure the head hoses have been replaced and your good to go!! Jim
You all are sweating about this too much, it is not that big of a deal. drill a hole to ensure the water drains from between the liner and the hull a few inches above the bottom of the bilge (the one above the keel in the middle of the boat)this ensures any trapped water drains. then dump a bucket or two of bleach water under the v-berth through the little door let it drain into the bilge and pump it out, you can even use the cool scented bleach. also make sure the head hoses have been replaced and your good to go!! Jim
Tap Tap Tap
According to one of the techs at Hunter, tap the area where you would like to drill with a small hammer. If it sounds hallow, work down toward the bottom of the bilge until it sounds solid. Drill in the lowest hallow area.
According to one of the techs at Hunter, tap the area where you would like to drill with a small hammer. If it sounds hallow, work down toward the bottom of the bilge until it sounds solid. Drill in the lowest hallow area.
picture, sorry took so long
Here is a picture of my bilge hole but im sure you could make it a little lower, mine is only about a 3/8"
Here is a picture of my bilge hole but im sure you could make it a little lower, mine is only about a 3/8"
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