1988 V178 Astroglass bilge and through hull connection.

[Neotrion]

I have been noticing that I have been draining a large amount of water when I take out the plug. I am not sure if my bilge is working and want to replace it. There is a through hull connecter at the bottom of the boat. Question 1 where is the bilge located and how do I get to it. Question 2 how hard is it to replace that seal and connector if needed. Any advice would be appreciated. I am hoping that connector is something to the live well and not the bilge.

 

[southkogs]

The bilge is typically along the keel all the way to the stern. Almost literally the other side of your drain plug in most cases. The pump is that bilge area.

You may want to back the boat on the trailer into the water, and get a look at where the water is running in from. Find the leak, so you can fix the right thing.

 

[Neotrion]

The bilge is typically along the keel all the way to the stern. Almost literally the other side of your drain plug in most cases. The pump is that bilge area.

You may want to back the boat on the trailer into the water, and get a look at where the water is running in from. Find the leak, so you can fix the right thing.

Thank you for the reply. I will look for it this Friday. I am getting a large amount of water when I pull the plug but have never heard the bilge turn on. I want to make sure it is working.

 

[southkogs]

Fix the leak and the pump. Even if the pump were working that's too much water inside. A day on the water, and you really only want to some drips. With people and pets swimming, or fishing going on, you maybe understand if a few cups of water drain out. But you want to solve a "large amount."

 

[Commander_47]

You have a small boat, so should be able to track down a leak easy.

Make sure you check the drain plug itself. It may be coming apart in your transom. I would suspect this first. It may be cross threaded, or any number of things. You can easily fix and replace that setup.

Bilge pumps are cheap and easy to replace. Good insurance to just put in a new one.

Check your hull carefully. A previous owner may have struck a log or rock and cracked the glass. This is not a catastrophe and a fairly straightforward repair if it is the case. But find it before it gets worse.

Check all possible through hull connections: fish finders and such. These may be leaking.

If you trailer the boat a lot, check the places where the boat sits on the trailer. Over the years these can sometimes lose their padding and crack the hull.

Your boat is pretty robust. I doubt that you have a serious problem.