Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

[Expidia]

2007 boats is only 1 1/2 months old . . . and when I had to run a wire thru the plastic loom up to the bow I found about an inch or two of standing slimy water under the front casting platform.

Took the old wire out it was a slippery mess. If I let this go on and I have hot muggy weather in August, it's going to be a growing fungal smelly, slippery mess under there!

Is this normal to have water under the deck?

I know some can get caught between the ribs. I crank up the trailer jack all the way up (which is pretty high as it's an over sized jack) and sometimes water comes out but there is always a few inches up front.

I'm not happy seeing the boats wiring to the bow floating under water.

Do you think the boat is leaking? I run the bilge sometimes when underway and get a stream for a few minutes spraying out. But that has only happened a few times. Once after the dealer had it in his lot without a cover for a few days and it rained so that was not surprising to have 10 gallons spray out after turning bilge pump on. I attributed the other times to back spray from the outboard coming in over the transom even though it has a splash tray with drain holes.

I think it was spraying in when the motor is not trimmed up high enough at high speeds.

Possible solution: Do you think I should pour a few buckets of diluted bleach in through the bow and let it sit for awhile to disinfect the under the floor area where the water is standing between the ribs. So I don't have to have my hands smelly when ever I work on or touch anything under the decking. I figure I can flush it out with the hose after.

Thoughts please. . . anyone think my new boat is leaking . . . I don't see drips or water on my driveway!

I've run with the plug out on highway while trailering along at 70 mph and you would think that would drain all the water out but it doesn't.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

Put 50/50 concetration of bleach and water in a spray bottle and have it....

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

Ethylene glycol will kill any rot/mold. It blends well with water.
Since it's new, I would take the boat back to the dealer or contact the mfg.
There shouldn't be any water "trapped" anywhere, imho.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

Ethylene glycol will kill any rot/mold. It blends well with water.
Since it's new, I would take the boat back to the dealer or contact the mfg.

There shouldn't be any water "trapped" anywhere, IMO.

This would be my opinion too!

I asked the dealer yesterday when I had the boat their getting a defective bow light wire fixed.

He said it doesn't matter, it's normal to have some water in there. And that I should keep the bow higher when storing. I keep it covered so this makes no sense to me other than there is a blockage of foam preventing the bow section from draining.

Well it matters to me because it should all be clean and dry under there IMO too. Not slimy. And I don't like to see electrical wires under water!

Does Ethylene glycol smell as bad as bleach does? Where does one buy it?

Follow up: I just called Lund's customer service and she looked up the boat's build diagram and said there is draining through an opening in the bulk head and I should run a snake through to make sure the hole where the wire loom goes through down the middle is clear of any obstructions. I did this and it was clear.

Seems it's just a result of how the boat sits on the trailer with a little downward slant towards the bow I guess.

I put trailer jack on a cinder block and cranked the bow up to where it was 6 inches over my head. Took drain plug out and maybe a quart came out. Lowered boat and still had a little water in the bow. Pumped out another quart with my manual bilge.

I guess it's just the design of the hull causing water to drain forward a little and catching between the cross ribs!

 

[chuck_050382]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

doesn't Ethylene glycol = anti freeze?

 

[tommays]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

i had to coathanger snake out a few places in my boat when it was new as the dealer was just NOT going to do it


The pipes they should have molded in get cloged with crap when the boat is built



Tommays

 

[Firestar]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

Stealer dealer excuses. I just can't stand them. They get your money then tell you it's no biggy when you find a problem. Like has been said, probably a clogged drain hole, factory mess left to clog it.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

i had to coathanger snake out a few places in my boat when it was new as the dealer was just NOT going to do it


The pipes they should have molded in get cloged with crap when the boat is built



Tommays

That's what I was thinking was the problem but Customer service said the boats hull going back to the transom is pretty much open all the way back after the loom goes through the hole in the bulkhead which is right behind the troller battery. My snake found this to be true. Must be a case of all the ribs trapping water.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

doesn't Ethylene glycol = anti freeze?

That sounds correct. I knew I heard that name somewhere.

I would use it if it was clear maybe but running the green stuff would be a mess.
A weak bleach solution and flushing it out with a garden hose would probably due the trick.

I'm more concerned with preventing the water from accumulating in the first place.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

Yup Ethylene glycol = antifreeze. If you rinse with water afterwards what are you gaining?
You want to kill the mold!

If that is what Lund tells you have then send that statement to you in a letter.
Don't call. Take pictures and document everything. Write a letter concerning your NEW boat and warranty. Make them respond to you in hard copy. Tell them you would like to post that letter on the internet and all the boating forums. That should help their sales and reputation!!
I would also send a copy of that letter to The BIA, NMMA andf BBB.
Your foam is probably soaked by now. You payed for that boat. Make them be responsible. Have them send a field rep out to unclog your bow.
That's BS IMHO.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

i had to coathanger snake out a few places in my boat when it was new as the dealer was just NOT going to do it


The pipes they should have molded in get cloged with crap when the boat is built



Tommays

Ya, I was afraid of that. I might have to start pulling deck panels off until I can reach the ends of the pipes and back wash them with a hose.

Looks like it will be my next foul weather day project.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Slimy, Smelly water under bow platform???

Yup Ethylene glycol = antifreeze. If you rinse with water afterwards what are you gaining?
You want to kill the mold!

If that is what Lund tells you have then send that statement to you in a letter.
Don't call. Take pictures and document everything. Write a letter concerning your NEW boat and warranty. Make them respond to you in hard copy. Tell them you would like to post that letter on the internet and all the boating forums. That should help their sales and reputation!!
I would also send a copy of that letter to The BIA, NMMA and BBB.
Your foam is probably soaked by now. You payed for that boat. Make them be responsible. Have them send a field rep out to unclog your bow.
That's BS IMHO.

All good points . . . Gotta Luv the net to tell a million people. Great attention getter for their future loss of sales if they don't want to solve this issue.

But I'm still not sure if it's an issue yet.

I know the dealer will take care of the issue if I press them as they have been good so far as can be expected from a dealer.

I'd like to first see if I can figure out how the water is coming in first. If I can get it to come in off the motor's back spray when it's not trimmed right at certain speeds. I can then see if it's not draining out again.

I doubt if the foams water logged because remaining water level was only about 1 1/2 inches high.

I'd have no qualms about contacting their field rep and asking for a service tech to come out if this proves to be a recurring issue.

But I would first give the dealer a shot at it, rather than alienate him right away. Might need his help for bigger issues down the road. Ya never know!

Idea: I think I'll wash down the deck with some soapy water, have not washed boat yet anyway. I'll flush off with a hose and see how much water remains after I crank the bow up and pull the drain plug.

This will tell me if I have below deck clogged drain pipe issues.