No Drain To Bilge In Forward Compartment

[healeyman]

Recently repaired a water leak in the bow berth. (The bow compartment where the fresh water tank sits). Discovered water filled the fresh water compartment. Why was it collecting in the fresh water compartment and not draining to the bilge? I FIND NO ESCAPE FOR WATER TO BILGE. Common sense would say that this large compartment would have a drain to the bilge. Am I missing something?

MIFFED, THOUGHTS, ADVICE will be appreciated.

I plan to make a drain unless there is a valid reason not to do so. :cry:

 

[Benny17441]

Can't think of one unless the comparment low point is at cabin sole level.

 

[navigator97]

Woah! Stop for a minute. The very most forward compartment should NOT have a limber hole to drain into the bilge. That is in case of the bow being stove in, you do not want sea water continually flowing into the bilge and sinking the boat. The second compartment back from the bow Will and should have a limber hole that drains into the bilge.

If that bow is stove in usually the sea water will be contained there since the top of the compartment is above the water line normally. When the water level in the compartment is level with the sea level, the flow in will stop. It is all about preventing sinking.

I have had a leak that puts some water into the forward most compartment, and I just bail it out occasionally when its there and dry it out. I have significantly reduced the leak into that compartment, but can't seem to eliminate it all together.

 

[healeyman]

Navigator 97, Thanks for your reply. The bow is completely enclosed. The leak was caused by a leaking anchor rope locker (now repaired). The water tank is 'buried' deep in the bow. I would not want to take the forward berth panels apart just to check for water, as one time was enough. The bilge has working pumps.

I have a lot to learn and do not understand your reasoning. Could you give a bit more detail. Much thanks.

 

[robertsapp]

You're sailing. You hit a log. The log punches a six inch hole in the hull just aft of the bow, right below the waterline. The boat begins flooding rapidly. The enclosed area the water tank sits in contains the flooding. As the boat settles by the bow, the water level in the enclosed area rises until it matches the water level outside the boat. Then it stops. You limp home and fix the boat.

Or

You open a drain path from the water tank enclosure to the bilge. You hit the log, the boat floods, the water flows to the bilge through the drain you created. Even a 1000 gph bilge pump can only move about a quart a second. If you still have the original factory bilige pump, it might only be a 500 gph. It's overwhelmed by the flooding. The boat sinks.

I think that's what he meant.

 

[healeyman]

Ok, I get it. Thanks to Robert and Navigator. That makes sense..One further question: why not a small 1/4 or 3/8 drain to allow any above deck leaks to drain to the bilge, that would not over power the bilge pump and still maintain the safety of a major 'punch' to the bow?

Yea I know Im trying to have my cake and eat it too.

Thanks, Dave

 

[Tally Ho]

Ok, I get it. Thanks to Robert and Navigator. That makes sense..One further question: why not a small 1/4 or 3/8 drain to allow any above deck leaks to drain to the bilge, that would not over power the bilge pump and still maintain the safety of a major 'punch' to the bow?

Yea I know Im trying to have my cake and eat it too.

Thanks, Dave

I had water in my forward compartment when I drained the water heater for the winter lay-up....I just use a wet/dry shop vac to suck it out.

Greg