This past weekend I ran my 2001 Hunter 290 aground for the first time. I worked her loose in about thirty seconds and continued on my way to a about four hours away where I had reserved a transient slip for the night. Upon arrival at the marina, I checked my bilges and found sand in them. I have never had sand in the bilge before now. I am assuming it is a result of sand and debris kicked up during the grounding and my attempts at powering off the shoal. If I am correct, how did it get into bilge and should I be concerned about damage? As quickly as possible after the grounding, I checked the engine intake and cleared the screen of a minute amout debris. I understand how the how engine uptake could suck in sandy water, but not how that would find its way to the bilge. Any thouhgts on the matter would be appreciated.