How much is too much water in bilge?
09-11-2019, 06:16 AM
#21
Admirals Club 
Water in bilge
For what it's worth. I kept my first boat in a dry stack in Charleston SC. Every time they pulled it from the water they would pull the drain plug and water would run out. I asked them on one occasion if this was normal for every boat. They replied that they drain water from every boat that they haul out except for Contenders. He said that the Contenders that they had in dry stack always had a dry bilge when they returned.
09-11-2019, 06:27 AM
#22
Senior Member
every boat I ever owned collected water in the bilge at one time or another. As little as a pint to as much as 3-4 gals. depending on weather, ocean conditions, my cleaning/hosing process, leaking hose, etc.
No big deal unless it caused the bilge pump to cycle.
Generally I would manually turn on bilge when first getting underway and trim the bow up so it drains aft and get pumped out.
If you are really worried it's always a good idea to put a water sensor in bilge.
Before I had a lift at my summer home I had a water sensor that sent an alarm to my telephone number so when I wasn't there it gave me piece of mind the boat was ok.
No big deal unless it caused the bilge pump to cycle.
Generally I would manually turn on bilge when first getting underway and trim the bow up so it drains aft and get pumped out.
If you are really worried it's always a good idea to put a water sensor in bilge.
Before I had a lift at my summer home I had a water sensor that sent an alarm to my telephone number so when I wasn't there it gave me piece of mind the boat was ok.
09-11-2019, 06:49 AM
#23
Senior Member
All good advice above.
I had a similar problem.
I parked my boat on my bone dry very dusty driveway and, after disabling the bilge pump, carefully filled the bilge with water.
after a short amount of time I traced the leak to an intake for a live well pump.
I’d learned “The driveway” trick on THT. Worked great for me.
I had a similar problem.
I parked my boat on my bone dry very dusty driveway and, after disabling the bilge pump, carefully filled the bilge with water.
after a short amount of time I traced the leak to an intake for a live well pump.
I’d learned “The driveway” trick on THT. Worked great for me.
09-11-2019, 08:03 AM
#24
Senior Member
Originally Posted by KPHuss
THT—
I’ve always stuck to old boats because of an inexplicable addiction to Aquasports from the 70’s (also that whole ‘budget’ thing). I’ve finally pulled the trigger on a new boat and love the thing. It’s a 2200 Bulls Bay.
That said, there is always some water that comes out of the drain plug at the end of the day.
Never having owned a boat with live wells before—I suspect that this water is live well related. Last night, I intentionally fished all artificial and didn’t fill the wells. I spent 2 hours on the water trout fishing and there was still some water when I pulled the plug at the end of the day. Significantly less than an 8 hour day with both wells full of eels—but water nonetheless. Nothing choppy and didn’t touch the wash down.
My gut tells me that some water still works it’s way in through the wells; but I also have this hunch that there may be some kind of loose through-hull.
Is it normal for some water to show up? I haven’t done the hose-test yet and turn to you to see if that is warranted.
I’ve always stuck to old boats because of an inexplicable addiction to Aquasports from the 70’s (also that whole ‘budget’ thing). I’ve finally pulled the trigger on a new boat and love the thing. It’s a 2200 Bulls Bay.
That said, there is always some water that comes out of the drain plug at the end of the day.
Never having owned a boat with live wells before—I suspect that this water is live well related. Last night, I intentionally fished all artificial and didn’t fill the wells. I spent 2 hours on the water trout fishing and there was still some water when I pulled the plug at the end of the day. Significantly less than an 8 hour day with both wells full of eels—but water nonetheless. Nothing choppy and didn’t touch the wash down.
My gut tells me that some water still works it’s way in through the wells; but I also have this hunch that there may be some kind of loose through-hull.
Is it normal for some water to show up? I haven’t done the hose-test yet and turn to you to see if that is warranted.
09-11-2019, 10:07 AM
#25
If your boat is on a trailer completely drain the bilge and all wells.Back the boat down the ramp until the stern is buried.Don't on hook the boat.Youll notice where the leak is quickly.
09-11-2019, 10:41 AM
#27
Admirals Club
Many above-deck livewells aren't totally sealed along the top. They're tabbed in place while the deck assembly is upside down and often not sealed 100% of the way around the circumference. Sloshing water will then find its way over the top and into your bilge. An easy test is to spray water from a hose upward around the inside of the livewell and I'll bet you find water dripping into the bilge from more than one point. You can then seal it yourself (if your dealer isn't conveniently close by) or have them do it.
Last edited by Cobia 217; 09-11-2019 at 11:19 AM.
09-11-2019, 11:16 AM
#28
Keep an eye on the transom when you launch. I get water coming through the scuppers until there is enough hull in the water to float (need to replace flappers). Because of poor design on an older hull, that water can make it into the bilge when the boat is on angle. I don't imagine your BB has this issue, but make sure you aren't getting water in through control penetrations in the splash well.
09-11-2019, 06:16 PM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Rags
every boat I ever owned collected water in the bilge at one time or another. As little as a pint to as much as 3-4 gals. depending on weather, ocean conditions, my cleaning/hosing process, leaking hose, etc.
No big deal unless it caused the bilge pump to cycle.
Generally I would manually turn on bilge when first getting underway and trim the bow up so it drains aft and get pumped out.
If you are really worried it's always a good idea to put a water sensor in bilge.
Before I had a lift at my summer home I had a water sensor that sent an alarm to my telephone number so when I wasn't there it gave me piece of mind the boat was ok.
No big deal unless it caused the bilge pump to cycle.
Generally I would manually turn on bilge when first getting underway and trim the bow up so it drains aft and get pumped out.
If you are really worried it's always a good idea to put a water sensor in bilge.
Before I had a lift at my summer home I had a water sensor that sent an alarm to my telephone number so when I wasn't there it gave me piece of mind the boat was ok.
09-12-2019, 10:12 AM
#31
Admirals Club
Originally Posted by Cobia 217
Many above-deck livewells aren't totally sealed along the top. They're tabbed in place while the deck assembly is upside down and often not sealed 100% of the way around the circumference. Sloshing water will then find its way over the top and into your bilge. An easy test is to spray water from a hose upward around the inside of the livewell and I'll bet you find water dripping into the bilge from more than one point. You can then seal it yourself (if your dealer isn't conveniently close by) or have them do it.
