Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

[Navigator_Victory]

I was told it is normal for a small ammount of water (less than a gallon) to be in the hull of a boat that sits in the water all of the time.....not sure that sounds right but, I am sure I will get some insight here......The water is in the engine compartment and I dried it out completely two days ago and there is about a cup of water that has returned.....I just bought the boat so I am in the process of learning the ins and outs of a cabin cruiser.....the water is very clear and I am wondering since I filled drained and ran water through anything that used water sink toilet shower etc....if one of these might be the culprit?

What happens if water sits on fiberglass for extended periods of time? will it ever rot or cause damage?

 

[boat1010]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

There shouldn't be any water leaking into your boat...But now that have said that, it is almost imposable not to have a little leak in. It could be from a leak in one of the hoses. or around the seals. That small amount isn't very serious. You need to make sure that your bilge pump is working so if it gets more than that or it is a long time that you are away from the boat the pump works. And as far as the sink or shower or toilet.. None of them should drain into the bilge. Yes if the boat is in the water for extended periods of time it is more likely to rot the wood in the boat. Fiberglass does not rot but the wood that it covers will. Hope that helps a little.

 

[capslock118]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

My boat is in the water 24x7 throughout the boating season.

I never see water in the boat unless it rains.

I think that's unusual though, in my history of my family owning boats there was always a little water; not that it's a good thing.

 

[gdombroski]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

I never see water in the boat unless it rains.

Bet you deck drains are leaking. The seal around which breaks down. Scrap out old stuff and reseal. Mine were so bad I could see a 1/8" crack around

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

My bilge is always dry as a bone... Isnt a boat that takes on water sinking ? Just kiddn' ..............

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

How many days does it have to sit before there's a gallon of water in it? Also.....have you seen it get worse over time?

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

I just dried it out three days ago will be back on her tomorrow so I am watching to see.....the water was under the engine then there is an area (not sure what it is called)...... holding area (bilge) ....I guess like the titanic where if water gets so high it spills to the next area,,,,,so under the engine there was water and fore of the engine there was water.....under the engine it is still dry as a bone but just in front is where I am getting some water....it is so clear though I am wondering if it is not tap water instead of lake water.....when I first looked at the boat it had just a little water in it but, since I have been fooling with it....I have noticed more water or at least I think more water....will update as I watch and see what happens.

So my current thought is the water is coming from someplace in front of the engine but, it has gotten high enough to spill over to back compartment below the engine......

 

[zagger]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

If the water is there without running the engines that would eliminate any hoses on the motor. Clean water could be coming from your fresh water tank, just drain it and see if it stops. This would isolate the tank. Add blue dye to your waste and brown water holding tank would be an instant giveaway. A small seepage through belows or transducer (if equipped) would filter the water and make it look clear.

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

Ahhh good thinking a little blue dye to root out the culprit.....have not thought of that

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

Look just forward of your drain plug at the stringer/bulkhead. You might just see another drain plug for the bow area of the hull. My Carver uses one drain thru the hull directly under the front pully of the motor and a plug inside the hull at the bulkhead that isolates the bow from the engine bilge. I don't have dual bilge pumps, therefore I leave it out. You might have water trapped up there that is slowly leaking back.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

...
What happens if water sits on fiberglass for extended periods of time? will it ever rot or cause damage?

Since everyone else answered you other question, I'll start on this.

Fiberglass absorbs water if left in the water all the time. It causes "blisters". This water that gets under the gelcoat will eventually get into the resin and fiberglass matte that make of the strength of your hull. Then into your coring (if any) then your stringers and bulkheads and the boat is junk. This all takes lots of time. But blistering can happen in one summer.
This is what "bottom paint" is for, among other reasons. But only an EPOXY barrier coat applied directly to the gelcoat, before the top coat of anti-fouling bottom paint, prevents blistering.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

Causes of water in the bilge:

- Leaking thru-hull fittings/bellows/underwater exhaust
- Leaking hoses. Engines don't have to be running if the leak is between the thru-hull fitting and the water pump
- Leaking deck drains
- Rain water getting in thru hatch seals
- water from washing tghe boat thru the hatch seals
- On board fresh water supply
- Black water holding tank
- Gray water holding tank
- Leaking fresh water hose hook up

I'm sure there are more. These are what immediately came to mind.

 

[Bluepike]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

You can add a leaking hull to deck joint to the list. Since the water is clrear, it could very well be rain water getting under the rubrail and thru a poorly sealed joint.

 

[Black Snow Slide]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

Is it normal? No. Small holes turn into big holes. A pinhole in a bellow not only let's in a cup of water but destroys insides of the out drive. A leaking drain plug is an easy fix with 5200. Find it and fix it. Or you will be fixing it at the worst time. Its April, now is the time. 28 years of boat owning with 22 of them in a slip. My bildge is always dry and spotless.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

My bilge is always dry as a bone... Isnt a boat that takes on water sinking ? Just kiddn' ..............

A boat that takes on water IS sinking!! No kiddin' !!

 

[splicer]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

Just thinking here, but could it be condensation from dew in the morning? It's very humid here, and you can condense a good bit of water overnight.

 

[Brockie]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

"could it be condensation from dew in the morning?"
Good thinking, especially if you have cold evenings and sunny days. The condensation will accumulate if you have a cover over the boat, except that most makers should put a condensation vent in their covers. Check the boat early one morning for dampness on the inside.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

I'm on my third boat. All stay in the water during the season, all have/had mooring covers, none of the boats have leaks... and all have had a half-inch of water in the bilge. Water from rain, spray, dripping passengers and melting ice all make its way to the bilge. The bilge pump can't, by design, remove every drop of it.

Watch it during a period of dry weather, when the level should decrease from evaporation. If the water level stays at the point that your float switch turns on/off, then you probably have a leak. If the water level stays below that point, you don't.

My .02

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

I'm with Jolin.
what makes this discussion difficult is that the OP asks about a gallon of water--a big problem--and describes a cup of water, normal. I'm voting consensation.
There is no need to worry about a cup of water sitting on your fiberglass despite the rare phenomenon of blistering.
But no harm in tracking it down. If you get it bone dry, lay some newpaper or sprinkle baby powder to track it.
also on many boats the hull compartments have a drain at the bottom so they all drain to the stern, rather than trap water for spill-over. Can't say for sure about yours. Those drains get clogged.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Is it normal for water to leak into a hull of a boat that is in the water 24x7

The biggest thing is determine if there is a "leak" or if there is just water in the bilge. True leaks are issues that need to be addressed. If there is water in the bilge (rain, washing the boat, dripping passengers, etc) then that it just a part of boating. It is best though not to let the water sit there. It could find it's way into a corner that has not been perfectly fiberglassed/gel coated and destroy the srtringers or transom. Use a manual pump to remove it and keep it dry whenever possible.