Water in the bilge system of the 18.5

[Paul Finch]

Upon my first observation of the used Hunter 18.5 that I ended up purchasing I noticed a fair amount of water in the bilge system. I also noticed that the water would drain out of the drain port in the transom. I figured it was a typical transom port that one would insert the usual expandable rubberized plug upon (before) launching. Upon further inversigation I noticed that the port was off the bottom by about 3-4 inches. Not enough to drain the bilge completely. Hummmm! Well it was time to put the boat away for the winter and my back was better now so I could crawl all over the boat like I should have done before I bought it. This boat was in storage for I don't know how long but was not well looked after during the storage process. Crawling down in the after bilge section revealed that the port in the transom was connected to the cockpit drain scupper and that the corrigated hose that made that connection had failed at some point and water from the elements drained into the bilge and settled there providing a perfect environment for mold to develope. Mold and dryrot basically destroyed everything that was pourous. Now after the cushions have been redone and all the marine plywood parts in the cabin have been replaced and that little $4.00 piece of synthetic corrigated hose has been replaced the problem has been solved.  Just thought I'd pass this on. Maybe it will cause a few more inspections of those out of the way places more often.

 

[Ken Prichard]

18.5 leak

Thanks for the info Paul.I have a 18.5 and was looking at the same thing just a few days ago.Mine isn't leaking but sooner or later I'll have to do some work in that area.How did you access it to do the work? seems like a pretty confined space to me.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Paul and Ken

Paul, you get the atta boy award and thanks for the info which will help others. Ken, if you ever develope a leak and cannot find it, I as a dealer would seal up the boat by putting tape around the hatches and plastic over the companionway taped down of course. Then take a leaf blower and insert thru plastic and tape that too. Turn on the leaf blower and then have someone take a brush dipped into soapy water and brush over all fittings and rub rail. Where you see bubbles is the source of the leaks. That is usually the last thing I do looking for the pesky leaks.I hope you can remember this in the future.