H31 Bilge problems

[IanJ]

Getting a slight urine like smell from my bilge, I think from old leakage from a defective (now replaced) black waste tank Y Valve. Bilges are all clean, but I am assuming foul muck is in the false bilge in Hunter 31. I have read a mass of theories about drilling holes in main bilge, and sucking out, but does anyone have a picture or diagram of exactly where to drill the hole? Get very nervous when I have a drill in my hand!

 

[mr c]

I too have an h31. I googled hunter 31+ bilge
Recommended by this site. It gave me enough info
To start drilling. I drilled two holes. One 2" lower than factory one and
One stern facing 2" up from the bottom. The second hole drained a gallon
Of water. The boat smelled better the next day.

 

[IanJ]

Do you happen to have a photo of where the holes are tho? I have none at present

 

[mr c]

I take some this weekend

 

[IanJ]

Thanks

 

[Don Crowther]

If you take a look under Owner Modification articles for the Hunter 34 you'll see a diagram of the bilge and hull liner.
Hope this helps as both boats are very similar

 

[IanJ]

Thanks Don. Will do

 

[IanJ]

Hate to bother you, but any chance of some pics if where you drilled the holes?
Thansk

 

[Emerald Lady II]

Ian, I just bought an 85 Hunter 31 last fall and I've been watching this thread really closely. I don't have a smell yet but I expect to have one soon. Do you get water in the bilge that's under the companionway? I do, and it seeps in from holes made by a previous owner. (A hole in the front and a hole in the back.) The water was even seeping in there when the middle bigle was empty and the boat was on dry land! I'm wondering if I plug those holes what will happen.

 

[IanJ]

Not sure on that one. I had a leaking Y valve from the black tank, and it seeped under the main bilge. I guess they all smell sooner or later though.

 

[mr c]

Sorry took so long.

 

[IanJ]

You're the best, Mr C. Off to Dremel and hopefully finally get rid of the excess.

 

[IanJ]

Thanks again Mr C. A good quart of stinky stuff came shooting out. Hope thats the end of it

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Thanks again Mr C. A good quart of stinky stuff came shooting out. Hope thats the end of it

It won't be till you can get enough detergent and water into that area to THOROUGHLY clean it out...which includes flushing ALL the dirty water out instead of just letting the bilge pumps do your work for you...'cuz bilge pumps don't do it very well. I'd make the limber hole big enough to stick the nozzle of a power washer into it if it were my boat.

 

[mr c]

I plan on making the hole bigger. Baby steps when that low In the boat