Boat Cleaning Day.... - The Hull Truth

ESfishdoc · 07-29-2005, 09:21 PM

Well folks I’m back in the picture business. After bouncing my last camera on the deck one too many times I now have an Olympus C5500 that does a decent job.

Today turned out to be a cloudy rainy day and although I didn’t start off with the notion of stripping everything out of the boat and cleaning it….. that is what happened.

I’ve gone a bit over 150 hours now and I’m accumulating a lot of “stuff” on the boat. What started out as straightening up a few things turned out to be pulling everything out of storage down below and removing and cleaning the cushions.

On both sides of the 2520XL there is dry storage. The compartment on the port side has nothing but a hatch. The one on the starboard side has wiring and hose for the forward bilge running through it. When I opened her up I was shocked to find about 2 gallons of water. Seems as if the hose is leaking a bit. I siphoned out the compartment with the intentions of getting a higher quality hose and re-plumbing it. To test for the leak I blocked of the water passage to the stern and filled the forward bilge……. Then turned on the pump and watched it empty the bilge the whole time leaking into the compartment. I also saw first hand how long it takes to pump water out of the bilge. It will never keep up with a small hole in the hull or massive intake of water.

In addition to pulling everything out, cleaning and repacking, I drained my Racor filter. I now do this after every long trip or several short ones. This is the amount of water I’m getting every 50 to 60 gallons. Hint: if you aren’t checking and draining water you may be getting ready to have problems.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get out on the water and get things messed up again.

Richard

GWcpa · 07-29-2005, 11:05 PM

Holy smokes!!! Where are you getting your fuel to get that much water? I have checked and changed my fuel filter for years and never had that much water combined. Is it from the vent or fill?

That bilge hose leak should be warranty, correct?

ESfishdoc · 07-30-2005, 06:33 AM

I have no idea about the water as I have no experience to compare it to. Could it be condensation in the tank? The vent is a possible source of water but I thought they were plumbed to avoid this. I get gas at one of two places so maybe I'll change and see if that clears it up. The jar is not a large mason jar..... it holds about 8 ounces...... that is about 3 ounces of water in the jar.

Yes.... the leak should be covered..... but it isn't worth it to me to fool with a dealer. The closest dealer is Norfolk Marine and the round trip through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel would cost 120 dollars in tolls because of the two axles on the trailer and the greater than 8' 6 beam. It will be cheaper to fix it myself (and I'll know exactly what gets done and what doesn't get done!)

John_Madison CT · 07-30-2005, 06:53 AM

Esfishdoc: I agree with the other poster, you should not be getting that kind of water in your fuel. Check your vent to see if it picks up water underway. Perhaps it's not turned in the right direction?

Otherwise, I know how well these Parkers can collect things. They have so much room that I tend to bring stuff down to the boat every trip. I'm quite sure that every tool I own is now on my boat.

riv · 07-30-2005, 08:15 AM

I was consistantly getting similar amounts of water in my fuel. The problem was solved by putting a "clam shell" cover over my fuel vent.

ESfishdoc · 07-30-2005, 08:19 AM

Thanks guys..... I'll check the vent Sunday. Today is a shopping day and I'm picking up supplies: 12 volt fan to install, 12 volt outlet, bilge hose, who knows what else......

When I hose the boat down I try and avoid spraying the vent directly. I've been is some rough stuff lately that could have forced some water through the vent.

Regardless..... better the water in the trap then through the engine. I'm told water in a 4 stroke fuel injected engine is a nightmare.

Richard

Just went out and inspected the vent..... looks proper. The hose takes a turn upward for several inches before turn back downward.

ESfishdoc · 07-30-2005, 08:37 AM

Quote:

John_Madison CT - 7/30/2005 6:53 AM

Esfishdoc: I agree with the other poster, you should not be getting that kind of water in your fuel. Check your vent to see if it picks up water underway. Perhaps it's not turned in the right direction?

Otherwise, I know how well these Parkers can collect things. They have so much room that I tend to bring stuff down to the boat every trip. I'm quite sure that every tool I own is now on my boat.

I have a tendency to scatter things about the house, yard and shed.... in the tool box in the truck..... I've solved this by buying duplicate items and kits that stay on the boat. In my ditch bag I also keep a roll of duct tape and vise grips.

Elusive · 07-30-2005, 09:25 AM

Quote:

ESfishdoc - 7/29/2005 9:21 PM* I also saw first hand how long it takes to pump water out of the bilge. It will never keep up with a small hole in the hull or massive intake of water.*

Is it possible to replace the pump with a pump with higher capacity or add a 2nd pump ?

ESfishdoc · 07-31-2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Elusive - 7/30/2005 9:25 AM

Quote:

ESfishdoc - 7/29/2005 9:21 PM* I also saw first hand how long it takes to pump water out of the bilge. It will never keep up with a small hole in the hull or massive intake of water.*

Is it possible to replace the pump with a pump with higher capacity or add a 2nd pump ?

Yes..... I could add a higher capacity pump..... or a second one in the forward compartment. There is of course a pump in the rear bilge also. I think Megabyte has upgraded his pumps on his 2520 MV.