O'Day 34 water in bilge

[Yellowjeepman]

I have a 1984 34 O'day, is it normal to have an inch or so of water in the bilge ? It's not enough for the bilge pup to pump out, just concerned over the constant wetness. I have had boats with wet bilges and some bone dry. This is wet
Thanks evryone

 

[njlarry]

My 84 used to have water in the bilge from a leaking portlight but that was fixed so now it only gets water in the bilge from the shower till I install a shower sump. We have stainless bolts in lead keels so any water in the bilge is not good.
Usual suspects; deck leaks, dripless bearing, coolant hoses, ice box drains and water tanks.
Dry bilges are the goal, like most goals easier said than done.
Good luck.

 

[Sefuller]

I always have a little water in the bilge

because we use the ice box and the ice melt drains into the bilge. Our '83 34 has a cast iron keel with stainless bolts. I wasn't aware having some water in the bilge was anything to be concerned about? Obviously I'd prefer it were dry, but not sure how to get rid of that last 1/2" that the bilge pumps can't get.

 

[jibes138]

A shop vac works great to get rid of the last of the water. Your mast is not sealed and water comes into the boat and the bilge from the mast. There are slots where the shrouds go through and the masthead itself is not sealed. Also the halyards are openings where rainwater can penetrate. Then your stuffing box if it is a standard drip type allows some water into the bilge. So having an inch of water is not unusual at all.

 

[Yellowjeepman]

Thanks everyone, it's odd one of the most important parts of the boat, holding the almost 5000 lb. keel up wouldn't be the lowest point. My bilge pump is there and I guess that's the original location for one. I was a little concerned when I read about a couple of 27's losing their keel. I really appreciate your answers. My biggest problem is my boat is in South Florida and I live in East Tn. , for now. Just something else to work on when I get back down there. I had emergency surgery in Jan. and it's been sitting for almost 6 months in the really hot winter down there. I am sure with the heat and moisture from the bilge I will have to de-mold the teak. I really appreciate the fast response from everyone,
Thanks Frank

 

[dparilla]

Our 35 can has a mostly dry bilge. But, if it has poured rain, some will always work its way in the mast. I am OCD when it comes to cleaning the boat, so I use a shop vac to dry it out when I leave after a weekend etc. The bilge pump had a vented loop installed in our boat, so it always leaves some water from me to vacuum out.

 

[Yellowjeepman]

I plan on using the shop-vac to dry it out. I am sure the refridgerator and cooler both drain into the bilge plus the mast as you had said. The pump just can't get little left and I have had the boat just for a year this week. Just worried when I heard about I think it was 2 27's losing their keel. The boat now is 31 tears old and has been kept in good shape, I just am worried about it being wet I am sure all that time. I know it it bolted in that area but wonder how far towards the bow and stern it is fastened, and how all those years had an effect on the keel. I read about another 27 who's owner was scraping his bottom and said his keel had a little wiggle and should he be concerned? I would have figured out where the nearest marina was that I could slowly motor to and have it hauled out. Being an out of State owner it's nice having the boat as our Get away but there is always work to be done. Just a part of boating. This trip I was planning on oil change, filters and impeller change and the day I was leaving and was closing the seacock to the engine I could see a couple of frayed pieces of cable for the steering. I have the chain and cable replacement kit and I guess 3 days work once we get down there.

 

[dparilla]

I have never seen a bilge pump get all the water. The bigger the pump, the more water they can leave behind. A little water in the bilge is OK. You won't lose the keel just from it. From what I have seen on many boats though is that excess water in the keel is often a sign of neglect and no servicing has been done to the keel bolts (or much else for that matter). If you are concerned and take care of it, the boat will take care of you.

 

[Yellowjeepman]

Thanks so much. The Cooler and frige do empty into the bilge. The shape of the bilge doesn't allow the bilge pump to get that last bit of water out. Which it's rain or cooler water ice melting thats in there. I would have more concerns if it was salt water, also while at the marina I have a carry on ac which I put the drain hose in there. Just didn't want to be sailing sideways and get a ticket for dropping 5000lbs of metal in the water,LOL
thanks again, Frank

 

[jibes138]

It is also possible to have a leak in your keel joint that will allow water into the bilge. Vacuum it dry then really dry it with a sponge and look at each keel bolt to make sure you don't have water leaking in. Torqueing the bolts might stop or reduce such a leak but the only real cure is haul the bolt and reseal the keel.

 

[Sunbird22358]

I'm curious about where you read about any O'DAY 27s that lost their keels. This would be a pretty major shipwreck, since the 27 had the keel molded as part of the hull, the lead ballast was inside the keel. There were no keel bolts on the 27. The later (1986-89) O'DAY 272 did have the lead wing-keel bolted on, but I have not heard of a rash of those coming off, leaking yes.... but no failures that I've heard of.

The 34 was originally designed to have a bolt-on lead keel fin, but the beancounters at O'DAY substituted a cast-iron fin for the first few model years, after which the lead fin was finally phased in.
Most bilge pumps will only bail down to about 1/4" of water depth (at least the ones I've used) larger ones may leave more.

 

[agprice22]

Last season was my first season with my 272. Every time I came to the boat, it had an inch of water in the bilge. I would dry it, but it would be back next time. I finally figured out it was from condensation. I installed a solar fan, and I have had a dry bilge ever since.

Maybe a solar fan will help others dry up that last inch of water? It works for me, but the "bilge" in a 272 is miniscule, so there isn't much water to dry.

Thanks,

Andrew