There is water in my bilge...

[RyeWilkes]

Hey,

If there is water in my bilge does that mean i have a leak? Why else would water enter the bilge?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[cretus]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

Hey,

If there is water in my bilge does that mean i have a leak? Why else would water enter the bilge?

Thanks,
Ryan

It can get in there from many sources depending on what kind of boat you have.

 

[southkogs]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

Water might enter the boat from splashes, waves, swimmers, skiers, fish, rain, etc. - basically anything that drips including a kid's sippy cup

Otherwise, something is leaking (to some greater or lesser degree). How much water are we talking about and how long does it take to get into your bilge?

Welcome aboard.

 

[RyeWilkes]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

It can get in there from many sources depending on what kind of boat you have.

I have 14ft tri-hull with a 650 mercury motor.

 

[RyeWilkes]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

Water might enter the boat from splashes, waves, swimmers, skiers, fish, rain, etc. - basically anything that drips including a kid's sippy cup

Otherwise, something is leaking (to some greater or lesser degree). How much water are we talking about and how long does it take to get into your bilge?

Welcome aboard.

The bilge had water in it after i launched the boat and drove it over to the dock.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

Rain water that was stuck in the hull and works it's way back when the boat is under power.

 

[southkogs]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

Rain water that was stuck in the hull and works it's way back when the boat is under power.

Yeah, that's a good start. While on the trailer, with the plug out stick the bow up in the air (higher than the trailer jack) and see what comes out the back.

 

[cretus]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

Get the water out, Put the boat in the lake and let it sit at the dock for a little while and keep an eye on the bilge to see if water starts filling it up. If it does know you have a leak.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: There is water in my bilge...

how much how fast? all boats get some water back there.

the answer to your question is the answer to all boating questions: it depends!

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

NO,, not all boats get some water back there. In order to test my bilge pump a bucket of water is required in my bone dry bilge. Even after rinsing blood with the raw water wash and scrubbing the deck with fresh water at the dock the bilge is dry.

how much how fast? all boats get some water back there.

the answer to your question is the answer to all boating questions: it depends!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: There is water in my bilge...

I guess I should say all boats eventually get some water in the bilge during extended use. One of my boats is similar to yours; it doesn't get enough water in it to trigger the bilge pump but there's a sponge-full down there that I don't bother with. Even boats kept on a trailer, plug out, often have a lip at the garboard fitting that holds a little water. a new boater might ask about that and we wouldn't notice.

 

[RyeWilkes]

Re: There is water in my bilge...

Hey Gentlemen,

Thank you for all of the responses and thoughts. We marked the bilge water line and it hasn't changed overnight. My boat spent the past week on the trailer and there was probably some residual water left in the bilge from the rain we got.

All that being said i have a new problem.

My boats switch panel which turns ON/OFF the following navigation lights, bilge pump, horn, radio, and vhf radio are not operating. I have power running to my electric start for my motor and my tilt and trim for my motor but not to this panel.
I think it could be a blown fuse but what do you guys think might be some other reasons for this problem.

Cheers,
Ryan