Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

[Nova II 260]

Left my boat out in the hard rain last week (OK, spank me) with the full cover on, over the cabin and engine hatch. She's normally stored dry and inside. Pulled the butt plug and drained 8 to 10 gals of (clean) water out. I can't imagine how that water is getting into the bilge. The cover was dry on the inside, no rips or tears, tent pole up. Front hatch was closed elbeit not tightly sealed, but it has a lip higher then the foredeck. All SS deck hardware is 5200 mounted. Engines are still full of antifreeze. I didn't witness any water in the cabin, cockpit or windshield/dash area. Very strange.
My only thought is that the rain water drained down of the cover (slopes) and into the side vents at the engine hatch. Has anyone ever experienced this? Does your cover cover the side louvers? Ideas?? Thanks.

NO, the wife didn't fill it with the hose..but, good thinking!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

Water is sneaky!!! I suppose it could have gotten into the vents; where are you located? I was in Boston over the past weekend, torrential rain, 50 mph wind gusts; I could see how that would blow a considerable amount of water through.

By the way... Nice looking boat!​

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

Being she was still winterized, I had the batteries disconnected, so no bilge pump...aaarrggghh! We didn't get the that much wind/rain here in S.W. Ohio, during that storm last week. TG.
The 3 vents are in the rear (side gunnel) next to the engine hatch.
They are the typical horizontal mount w/verticle louvers. 2 for intake one for blower.

Also, I can NOT get inside the engine/bilge compartment, and have the hatch down and put the cover on...and have someone hose it all down.
That's why I wondered if anyone else ever had that problem with those (style) vents. I may do the ducktape seal test this weekend.

 

[yorkcoparamedic]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

I have drained or pumped several gallons of water out of the bilge before. Most of the time comes in from the corners of the canvas, unless you have a self bailing cockpit it will go the bilge and collect there. It could have gotten in from the vents as well and maybe from the bilge blower vent holes depending on where there are mounted on your boat. Sometimes it just soaks through the canvas if it has not been water proofed recently. And other times from all the above. Water will come in from everywhere it can. Keep your drain plug out when out of the water and your bilge pump on when on the water.
And if your horn is mounted under the bow deck, check the seal. Also check the hawspipe if you have one, water always makes it way in there when the lid gets loose.

Have a safe boating season,

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

i think the lesson here is never store the boat with the plug in. i pull mine as soon as it's out of the water. then you know wheather it's leaking. my sis & BIL, were washing down the boat, forgot the plug was in, cost them a starter.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

i think the lesson here is never store the boat with the plug in.

Exactly the point I was going to make..............

 

[cbavier]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

Where do you guys put your Bilge Drain plug at (store) when you remove it so you don't forget to put it back in before launching again. I cannot think of a good place to put it so I would no way ever forget to put it back in. I know they sell a mount thing that fastens to the winch handle but that is designed for the screw in plugs only.

It won't fasten on the Boat keys. I've tried to think of a sure place and come up blank and I have this problem. CRS Know what I mean?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

You can see Mine,.... Hanging off that Flat-line Clip at the top corner of the Transom.......

 

[cbavier]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

Another question. I'm thinking of adding Rod Holders. Won't rain water run into the bilge through them or fill them up. Even If they are surface mounted unless I buy the kind like Wal-Mart sells #12.98 which I am considering? But I have to have the side mount so the covers will fit or the recessed ones that go into the gunnel.

My question is I guess in response to "Rainwater sneaking in bilge...." Do you have Fishing Rod Holders that water could enter through? As pointed out water is sneaky and will find a way in if it's possible.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

Yup, leave the plug out my normal MO. Don't really know how it got put back in.
I have CRS too, although mine has progressed to CRAFT's disease. Can't Remember A F#$%# Thing.
I have the threaded brass plug. I drilled and NPT threaded a couple holes in the back end of the trailer (alum) and keep the spares there. They are also looking at me when I take the the tie-down strap off...

 

[cbavier]

Re: Rainwater sneaking in bilge....wth?

i think the lesson here is never store the boat with the plug in. i pull mine as soon as it's out of the water. then you know wheather it's leaking. my sis & BIL, were washing down the boat, forgot the plug was in, cost them a starter.

tashasdaddy where do you store your drain plug when you take it out? Anyone else. Where do YOU store your plug so you don't forget to put it in before you launch the next time?