Is some water in the bilge normal

[Robertpel9]

I recently purchased a 1995 Chris Craft Concept 18.

When i bought it there was some water in the bilge (about an inch in the engine compartment and two inches in the ski storage area between the driver and passenger seat). I though it was because of the rain the day before and it was outside.

I have now had it out the last three nights and i dry it by hand with a towel and after 2-3 hours of cruising i end up with this same inch to two of water. It is so low that the bilge pump will not even get it out but is some water normal. The part in the ski storage area bothers me the most as i would like that to be dry storage.

I am a little confused, any help is appreciated

Robert

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

You should not have water in your bilge, but your not the first to ask the question or have this issue. Water in the bilge is common, but not normal, and it could become dangerous if the leak grows. You just need to start looking for the source of your leak. Check all your fittings, deck lids, anywhere on the hull that has something hanging from it. It can take a while and be frustrating to find the leak, but I have eventually found all my leaks. Good luck.

 

[SimpleM]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

A little water is normal. Where it is coming from would be helpful for the captain of his ship to know. How much spray are you taking on? Is your plug tight? Do you have small cracks on your chines or keel? Leaking around the outdrive? Is the bilge pump pumping out water regularly and the inch or two is only what it will not get? If it is not pumping a lot then an inch of water in the bilge is no biggie, but worth investigating. As for wanting the ski locker to be dry storage, good luck... the bilge (where all ski lockers reside, or JUST above it anyway) is probably not the best place to choose for anything that MUST be kept dry. Check the hull for cracks first. I have an abrasion on one of my chine strips that I need to fix. Not letting water in to the bilge now but could be water logging my stringers. Get to know your new boat inside and out. Keep us posted.

M...

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

You might even try to go around it (after all is dry inside) with a hose and try to get water to go in different places. Is the ski locker and the bilge connected or are they seperate. If connected by a tube might want to cork it temp. and run it then see where the water is. Just trying to isolate leaks is sometimes the hard part. Have someone run it a bit while you stay back by the doghouse and look for anything coming in. Dry it up real good park at dock for a few hours check for water if nothing it may not be a hull leak but rather something in the drive or cooling system. Usually an inch is not a big deal but when you think about an inch sitting in there all the time it starts to become a bigger deal I think. Might be something that if you take care of now will save you a bunch down the road if left how it is.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

Water will find it's way there from a lot of areas. Wet swimmers, spray, etc.​

The water hose idea is a good idea. Check the rub rail with this too. A lot of times the sealant behind it where the cap and hull mate will develop leaks. Some new 3M 4200 sealant will take care of that.​

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

A little water in the bilge is normal for me. If it's consistently only a small amount, then I'd just as soon spend my time maintaining the motor or polishing the hull rather than fighting with a few drops of bilge water.

 

[oops!]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

you ask if water in the bilge is normal?



only when your sinking.

boats keep water out.......

in a perfect world you should be able to store your cell phone in the bilge and eat off the bottom of the bilge.

go out on a calm day by yourself....no wind...no spray no wave jumping or 8 yearold kids climing in and outta the water (dripping on the deck)

have a look.......if water is in there you have a leak....hunt it down, find it, and kill it

 

[Robertpel9]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

I am pretty sure it is not leaking into the boat. I have had it sitting in the slip for 2 days and the ski stoarge area is dry as a bone and the engine compartment had the same inch of water. It rained the night before i picked it up from the deal last week and the plug has been in it the whole time, i think it is that water. I am going to soak it up with a towel tomorrow and then see if it stays dry, the level is too low for the bilge pump to pick it up

 

[Don S]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

Is some water in the bilge normal

Yes and no

Rain, wet people, water thru air intake vents, all quite normal.

Leaking thru hull fittings, or anything on the transom shield is not normal, and should be fixed.

Besides. If you keep the boat in the water, you BETTER have an automatic bilge pump of some sort.

 

[torcano]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

I also have a small amount of water in my bilge that keeps on reappearing. It is adjancent to the depth finder transducer that penetrates the hull. How would I fix this? Should I try a marine epoxy around the transducer? It never is more than an inch but clearly reappears within seconds of sucking the bilge dry with a wet vac. My boat stays in the water so that I would need an epoxy that cures while wet. Any suggestions?

 

[flashback]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

you will need to do a short haul on the boat and remove the transducer. figure out if you need to re-bed the thru hull fitting. it can be done in the water but is very difficult..

 

[torcano]

Re: Is some water in the bilge normal

Thanks. If there is a leak around the transducer can you explain why the water level never gets beyond 1/2 inch? Shouldn't the water continue to increase? My boat has been in the water for 3 weeks and the amount does not change.