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Run the bilge? |
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TG3 
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Joined: May-29-2020 Location: Tyler, Texas Status: Offline Points: 106 |
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 Topic: Run the bilge?Posted: August-31-2020 at 9:45pm |
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This is a question regarding proper/normal bilge use.
This is my first summer with a Nautique or an inboard for that matter (man this reverse thing is a trick to learn!) and I have a question concerning bilge useage. Our previous boat for years was an I/O and we drained it from the plug in the back after each trip to the lake, never had to use the bilge really except the time I forgot to put the plug in. With our Nautique (1997 Air/Sport) we do the same, except the plug is in the center under them motor. Most of the time there is a little water in there, drains pretty quick. Sometimes, like this week there was a lot of water in there. We had a lot of kids in and out of the boat all day, lots of backwash coming in the back vent when they crashed and I slowed down, etc. In the back of the boat on the carpet in front of the rear seat i see some greenish looking discoloration that I couldn’t figure out. I’m starting to think that with that much water in the boat the discoloration is nasty bilge water when the water sloshes to the rear under acceleration. SO, should I be running my bilge the whole time we are out letting it dump that water? I read that my bilges are supposed to be automatic, but I am pretty the rear bilge is shot and the center bilge isn’t “auto” anymore. Center bilge will pump but I am afraid to leave it on. What method do you guys use your bilges?
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1997 Air/Sport Nautique
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KENO
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Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11115 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 8:17am |
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Maybe a little simplistic, but why don't you get a couple automatic bilge pumps or fix what you have now?
 And maybe look for excess leakage from the driveshaft and rudder packing, they may be leaking more than they should. And look for any other leaks while the engine is running.
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 8:46am |
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Ken, You misspelled "simplistic". Should be "sarcastic".
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KENO
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 8:52am |
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Maybe it should be "snarkastic" Pete, but If you have bilge pumps that don't work right.......the first choice is rather obvious
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TG3
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Joined: May-29-2020 Location: Tyler, Texas Status: Offline Points: 106 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 9:06am |
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Right, I'm going to fix both the pumps so they will work automagically, not trying to get out of doing that. Also I will check the packing and for other leaks too, just to be sure. But back to the original question, is running the bilges on automatic whenever you are out what y'all do and just let them do their thing?
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1997 Air/Sport Nautique
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KENO
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 9:13am |
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Yep, and you probably have an indicator light to let you know it comes on and shuts off again If you see that light on too much, you start looking for issues like too much leakage or the switch or sensing mechanism is stuck.
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TG3
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Joined: May-29-2020 Location: Tyler, Texas Status: Offline Points: 106 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 10:32am |
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Thanks Keno, the only lights I have are next to the switch. It illuminates when I punch the button to turn on the bilges, but since they aren't working automatically, not sure if they will go off when bilges aren't running.
I'll get the bilges replaced and see if the light goes on and off. I hope so, that would be handy! Speaking of bilges, from what I read I should by the Rule 4777 pump, right? https://www.nautiqueparts.com/product/bilge-pump-fully-automatic/
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1997 Air/Sport Nautique
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 10:49am |
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Trey, I don't see mention of any testing. I suggest getting the VOM out and see if you are getting the volts down to the pumps first.
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MrMcD
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Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3750 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 12:14pm |
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While you are using it with your leak, squirt some liquid dish soap around in your bilge. Take the kids out have a fun Day and when you drain the bilge at the end of the day it will be much cleaner. Normal boat motion does a great job swishing the soapy water around cleaning your bilge. Don’t you have two switches on your dash, one for the automatic bilge pump and one for the manual pump? The automatic can’t work with the switch off.
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quinner
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Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 1:21pm |
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Got a feeling the young old guys may be missing something, my bet is Trey is loading the boat up and thirfing with it, when he decelerates the wake is washing up over or into the stern which is his primary leak point per say.
Don't get me wrong, you should still check for leaks as suggested however I am bettting that is not your issue. Another simple test is the ear test, in a quiet environment, get your ear close to the pump, turn it on listen for it spinning or put your hand on it to feel for vibration. Some automatics spin for a few seconds every couple minutes when in the on position, If it's a float switch then of course this test is out unless you have a full bilge.
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TG3
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Joined: May-29-2020 Location: Tyler, Texas Status: Offline Points: 106 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 2:06pm |
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I did do a little testing, the center bilge definitely pumps, water squirts out and I can hear/feel it running. The rear bilge is one of those orange water witch ones, has power according to VOM but won't operate, so pump is dead.
I like that dish soap idea! Thanks! We haven't tried surfing, but we get a lot of backwash with a full boat and rapid deceleration after a kid falls or a shake one loose off the tube! I have the typical switch/breaker layout for those 90s models. When I push the switch labeled BILGE the light for the opposite switch lights up (not the one that is supposed to light) and nothing happens, haven't traced that out yet. When I press the ACC 3 switch directly across from BILGE, my center bilge comes on (as does the light next to the BILGE switch). I assume those are just wired backward, and that Correct Craft originally had both bilges wired on the same switch. Nothing I see indicates a manual vs auto, I thought that was handled by the pump itself. I don't have an owner's manual so not exactly sure about that.
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1997 Air/Sport Nautique
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KENO
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Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11115 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 2:34pm |
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Who you callin' young or old or whatever you're calling us, I'm just so confused. Must be an age thing.And look at that. he's not a surfer........yet anyways But what is this sport of "shaking one loose off the tube"?
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Gary S
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Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Posted: September-01-2020 at 3:17pm |
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Another thing with the big CQ's post is that for some years these boats did not have a float type switch but used the WaterWitch bilge switch that does run the pumps for a bit as you cycle the on/off switch
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KENO wrote: