water in bilge

MoonSailer · Apr 16, 2010

I regularly have water in my bilge. It seems to come down the mast (keel stepped). If you have keel bolts that could be the source. On most boats any water finds it's way to the bilge. Windows are often a source!!

BobM · Apr 16, 2010

Chances are it was there all along. Your bilge pump isn't capable of sucking the bilge absolutely dry. After cycling, the volume of water from the pump to the exit in the stern will drain back into the bilge as the pump loses prime. There is also some volume it cannot get out at all as it takes a minimum level of water in order to pump. This is typical. There is usually water in a bilge like this and the potential for the smells generated by it versus a shallow sump bilge is a problem. Also, you need to put a pan (I bent a disposable tin foil broiler liner pan from the store) under your engine with an oil absorbing sheet to prevent the inevitable contamination of your bilge with oil and diesel. I actually have a filter on my primary bilge pump to prevent illegal discharge of oil which could result in a massive fine. This is less likely if your pump cannot suck dry as the oil will float on the surface, however it depends how picky your dock mates are. In some cases a rainbow sheen of oil could have someone report you. Unlikely though.

To get more water out of your bilge try using your hand pump, if you have one. It should remove water to a lower level. This is one of the reasons many recommend a small pump with a small hose for maintenance bilge pumping with a large pump with a large hose higher up if you are sinking. A pump sitting in the bilge will probably last five years before it needs replacing so you are best to keep that pump cheap. If you have to replace a 2000 gph pump every five years that gets expensive.

BobM · Apr 16, 2010

Water entering the stuffing box is normal, but perhaps a few drips a minute. Did you verify your bilge pump is working? I usually cycle mine on mannually every time I am aboard to be sure. I had one quit once and the first I knew of it was when I arrived to a bilge full of water with my Wife and company aboard to boot.

sailingdog · Apr 16, 2010

ScottD said:
I may have a problem(s).
Went to open my S2 9.2. Had not been up to it for a couple of months.
There was 6-8 inches of water in the bilge. So, the auto bilge pump is not working? I am almost positive I kept the power on the bilge all winter.

Have you tested the bilge pump? If you have not, that would be the first thing to do. Also, what was the state of charge on the batteries? If they were dead, it would explain the 6-8" of water.

Also, I could not locate where the water came from. Everything on the boat is dry. Only a bit of water by the "Joint" where prop comes into the boat. ( I was told that is normal?).

Is the mast deck stepped or keel stepped? If keel stepped, that could be a source, as could the stuffing box.

All seacocks were closed. Cockpit is mostly open, but cabin tighly sealed.
Any suggestions on what to check, how to check for the problem?
I am still a novice, so please, show mercy.
SD

Have you checked the hoses and such for the cockpit drains. If the hoses or clamps are a problem, they could leak. One way to check for leaks is to pressurize the boat using a leaf blower or shop-vac after sealing the hatches, ports, and other openings, then coat the boat with a water and dishwashing soap mixture and look for bubbles.

Ross · Apr 16, 2010

Is the boat in the water? If yes, you must pump it dry before you can find the source of the water. If it is on the hard then sit in in on a rainy day and look for leaks.

higgs · Apr 16, 2010

Heavy rains will overwhelm the channels that drain cockpit seats. This may be the source of your problem.

garylinger · Apr 17, 2010

Your auto float switch may be bad. I just had to replace mine as it apparently developed a short (pump would not come on or would come on slowly and wires beginning to heat up and smoke). Do you have a strainer in the in-line between the bilge and the pump? That can become clogged and not allow water flow.

CarlN · Apr 17, 2010

I'm guessing it's rain. A leak below the waterline would likely have sunk the boat over a several month period. The boat may have always leaked during rains but you didn't notice it when the bilge pump switch worked. It's amazing how much water can come from the small openings in a mast in a heavy rain. Best tactic is to be on the boat in a heavy rain and crawl around the bilge looking for any dribbles.

Given the time of year, I'd also look for ice damage on deck.

Check all drain hoses and hose fittings at the cockpit scuppers (or anywhere else there's a deck drain). This can happen easily when the hose gets clogged with slush and freezes. The expansion cracks the hose or the fitting (which isn't as flexible as usual since it is cold). After things warm up, the hose seems fine but when it rains there's a leak through the crack. This can make the first sail of the season really exciting it the crack goes under the water when the boat heals.

Other places to check are thru deck chain plates, the toe rail and the lifeline stanchions. Any of these can get pushed up if water got under them and froze. Or the caulking could just have gotten old.

Deck leaks can be tough to find in your boat since the water can travel a long way between the liner and the hull. And the water never goes in a straight line.

After many years looking for leaks in boats, I am convinced that boat leaks are exempt from all laws of physics. The water can go uphill, through solid objects, or invisibly jump several feet across open space. I believe that there's also a possibility that boat leaks can travel through time.

Carl

Ed Schenck · Apr 17, 2010

Scott, you tested the bilge pump and then stated "I guess the auto in on the fritz.". Does that mean you have a switch on the panel but did not test the float switch?

I never get on my boat that I don't check the float switch. When I pull the sole panel to open the engine thru-hull I automatically pull the one in front and test that float switch. My mast is keel-stepped and that pump needs to work ALL the time.

sailingdog · Apr 17, 2010

This is often caused by a blocked impeller or having line or hair wrapped around the impeller shaft...

garylinger said:
Your auto float switch may be bad. I just had to replace mine as it apparently developed a short (pump would not come on or would come on slowly and wires beginning to heat up and smoke). Do you have a strainer in the in-line between the bilge and the pump? That can become clogged and not allow water flow.

BobM · Apr 17, 2010

If you have that white ribbed bilge hose it may be cracked down near the pump. I had that problem when I bought my boat. It's worth checking while your looking into things.

Ross · Apr 17, 2010

You may have manual access to it in which case you simply lift it or you can drop the whole works into a bucket of water.

garylinger · Apr 17, 2010

I pulled mine up and out of the bilge and lifted the arm. It did not activate the pump but instead the wires began to heat up. I then disconnected it and used a multimeter and determined that the switch was not closing when I lifted the arm unless I wiggled it around. I trashed it and got a new one (WM has them on sale right now), hooked it up and it works as it is supposed to.

ggrizzard · Apr 17, 2010

If you've been in the water all last winter, I'd also check every water line and fittings at the tank(s), valves, splitters, faucetts, and water heater (if you have one) for leaks due to freazing. I'm in Florida, had a heater aboard, and still lost two fittings in the cockpit locker due to the cold. If this has happened on your boat, fill the water tank, turn on the pressure pump and see if the bilge water deepens.