water/ice

[Jim]

I have an O'Day 31 that is being stored on land during the winter. Last week, I was surprised to find water/ice in the bilge and in some of the compartments below as well as some in the engine compartment. The water did not come in through any ports, which leaves only the scupper drains, which are set up to drain below. Anybody have any ideas how and where this water is coming from???Jim

 

[Don Evans]

Not Sure, But...

Had the same problem, during the summer, with unexpected water in my bilge. Turned out to be the cockpit floor scupper hose. It connects the floor to the transom through-hull. It had rotted out and the water was being dumped into the bilge... and lots of it.You are talking lots of water, so its not leaking chainplates and the like. Check the obvious first. Good sleuthing.Don

 

[Thomas Ehmke]

Another idea about water/ice

Jim,When my boat is placed on the cradle for the winter, everything runs toward the back of the boat because of the angle at which the boat sets on the cradle. I never find water in the engine bilge during the season when the boat is in the water, but it is always there after winter storage. On my boat residual water in the bilge at the keel or fresh incoming water from leaks at stanchions, ports, etc. somehow finds its way from the bilge at the keel and elsewhere to the engine bilge. I have had the same problem as Don with the cockpit scupper and replaced the hose. I also found that problem in the winter because all the water that had leaked from the scupper hose lay at the back of the boat instead of running forward to the bilge.It may be that the boat isn't really taking on any more water than before. It may be accumulating where it does because it can't find its way to the bilge. As Don says, "Happy Sleuthing!!"Tom

 

[Dennis Lindauer]

bilge water

you might try using food colering in some water and try dumping it in various holes to see where it comes out at.