Help with constant water in the bilge

[29palmsailor]

Good morning, I have a 2000 Hunter 460 and there's constantly water in the bilge. I've cleaned and dryed the bilge numerous times and literally watched the water come back within 20 minutes. Tasted it once and it seemed like fresh water. I've checked and rechecked for leaks but can't seem to find them. The dripless seal is holding and not letting in water that I can see but I do have vibration when the engine is at high RPM's,,,,but the same thing happens when on the dock, sailing or motoring. Can't find obvious water coming from anywhere, the water just comes back in after the bilge is dryed.
Has anyone else had similar problems and could help me diagnose the problem quickly? I'm wondering if my fresh water tanks are leaking into the bilge in a spot I can't see?

 

[macdu]

Have a few ideas you may have already thought of -

Turn off your fresh water pump, ensure you have no pressure in the cold / hot lines empty the bilge. If water is still accumlating it likely not a water line, pump or connection.

Check for any leaks in and around your water heater.

Finally you want to isolate your fresh water tanks. Completely drain a water tank one at a time, dry bilge check for water. If dry you've likely found the source if not move on to the next.

 

[Benny17441]

There must be a number of gallons of water trapped in the hull stringers below the sole. It comes from rain leaks, sea spray, thru-hull leaks, wash downs and whatever other sources you may consider new or old. This water gets dislodged and finds it way to the bilge with boat motion over time. You dry the bilge and just release a little more into it. Some have opened holes in the sole liner to seek and pump these pools of water but others object to the smells the fouled water may allow into the cabin. Don't know how much water you may have and what is it's condition or if there are any ongoing leaks that may need taking care off but make an informed decision about the pros and cons before starting to drill holes.

 

[29palmsailor]

Benny and Macdu- thanks so much for the advice. I have not isolated water tanks at all and need to work on this. Funny thing is that right now I can't get water to come through fresh water pump even though I can SEE a lot of water in fresh water tank,,, there's a problem there somewhere. We've also taken some trips to Catalina and noticed we run out of water pretty quick, even with fresh water heads. Could be the fresh water tanks are leaking right into bilge? Any way to tell without taking the whole tank out?

 

[29palmsailor]

Also, I can't presently drain every fresh water tank as the water pump isn't pushing water through to the sinks, I'm going to show my ignorance on this forum by asking if there's another way to drain the tanks instead of by just running the faucets?

Also have not checked for leaks around water heater, does it matter that I don't run it, ever?

 

[Benny17441]

Quite often when a system is not working properly it evidences itself via different symptoms. Find out why you are not getting water to the faucets and you might run into the origin of fresh water collecting in the bilge. It does not matter if you use the water heater or not any hose or fixture in your plumbing could be the source of a leak. I would start at the tank and mark the level to see if it is going down or not. I would check the electric pump to make sure it is working and see if the system is holding pressure or if the pump is frequently cycling. A frequently cycling pump when the faucets are closed points to a leak. First check the pump and make sure it is working. Then check for any flow obstruction coming from the tank and then check the hoses leading to the faucets and the faucets themselves. If you have no water coming from the cold water and hot water lines I would take a good look at the pump and tank.

 

[29palmsailor]

Ok, this weekend, hhanks

 

[Jeff Jellick]

29 Palmsailor,
The information given above is right on. I had a similar problem (fresh water in the bilge) on my 2006 Hunter 45 CC. If you have the fresh water manifold (mine is under the galley sink), try and isolate different faucets heads, and hot water heater on the boat. By turning off the different valves you can direct water from the fresh water pump to any one location. One by one you can determine which one is the cause of the leak. You should also have a "selector valve (s) somewhere that let you draw water from any one of your 3 tanks. My selector valve is located in the bilge, at the very top. Your manual should show you where your's is, if you cannot locate it. This way you can draw water from only one tank at a time. regarding the Hot Water Heater on my boat I discovered that the pressure relief valve was leaking when the water pump was on, thereby pumping water to the hot water heater. On your main fresh water manifold you can shut off the flow of water to the hot water heater. It boils down to trial and error, to determine the cause of the leak (s)
Jeff

 

[varigging]

There are two other sources of fresh water that most folks don't think about. If you are running an AC unit the condensation often drains into the bilge. Espicially on humid days. Also the refrigerator / freezers condensation drain in as well. Make sure both of these units are off and dry as part of your testing?

 

[splax]

A problem for me was the hot water relief valve. It is annual maintenance to cycle it under pressure to clear debris keeping it from fully seating.

 

[29palmsailor]

Thanks so much for replies, I'm looking at all options

 

[hughvr]

My Hunter 420 A/C units drain condensation (a lot) into the bilge. I once rerouted the drain hide under the engine and discovered quickly that it doesn't drain and can hold about 15 gal of condensation. It is redirected back to the bilge now.