Rain Water in Bilge
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37407
Printed Date: November-16-2024 at 11:32pm
Topic: Rain Water in Bilge
Posted By: Blamey
Subject: Rain Water in Bilge
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 12:26pm
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I just bought a 1995 Sport Nautique. I test drove the boat 3 weeks ago before buying it. The boat is in upstate New York and I live in NYC, so it's currently about 5 hours away. I drove upstate Sunday to give it a proper drive now that it's mine and get a better feel for the condition, and I am glad I did. When I got to the boat I took the cover off and lifted up the engine cover to find it filled with water. I'd say it was around 8 inches of water, enough to touch the bottom of the engine.. The bilge drain plug wasn't removed after my test drive. We drained the bilge and then put the boat back in the water.. The boat started and ran fine., Currently the boat only has a dock cover that doesn't seem to keep the rain water out. I bought a generic cover off Amazon to use for now until I can get something nicer. So my question is, due to the excess water in the bilge, is there any preventive maintenance I should do or should it be fine? Marina didn't seem to concerned but I just thought I'd check. 
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Replies:
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 12:48pm
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Why would the marina be concerned? If it goes to the bottom it's more business for them! Get your auto-bilge pump in working order. Cover it properly, tented and tied down tight. Edit: I initially thought the boat was last parked in a covered slip. Water can come into the bilge through various sources, the most likely causes are the shaft packing, rudder packing and [under floor] exhaust system. There could also be a few more. Remove the engine cover, rear seat, and rear floor panel. Dry out the bilge, then put the boat back in the water and start looking around. |
Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 1:03pm
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When storing the boat on land, always remove the drain plug so the water won't fill the bilge. The main concern with a full bilge is getting water in the starter. I think you avoided that this time around being that you said the water was still below the pan. When getting the right cover, try to find something with some vents to allow for some air movement beneath the cover to avoid creating conditions ripe for mold and mildew to grow. Congrats on your new boat. ------------- '92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 1:34pm
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8 inches of water seems like a lot unless there were torrential rains in your absence. Even a crappy cover will keep out some of the rainwater. You say you didn't take the plug out after your test drive, but did you look under the doghouse before you left? If not, it's possible the water is not from rain, but rather a leaking packing gland or similar that was still sitting in there from your first ride. Did you look in after your 2nd ride and pull the plug, was there much water this time? ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 4:12pm
Yes, we did look under the dog house after we drove it last time round. I took lots of pictures of the engine after the test drive and there was no water in the bottom. Also checked this time round. I'm pretty sure it was rain related, unless somebody stuck a hose in there. The cover on the boat is a two piece cover with a part over the bow then a part that covers the back. Between them there is a lot of room for water to get in as it doesn't seal well. The current cover sucks and one of the reasons I went up was to put the new cover over the boat. Even though what I got was just a generic cover off Amazon, it should be a lot better. Holding off on getting a custom fit cover till I have the boat closer and can make a better decision on what I want to get. For reference this is the cover I got. http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Accessories-StormPro-Heavy-Charcoal/dp/B001MS8LJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443118017&sr=8-1&keywords=stormpro+boat+cover" rel="nofollow - Cover The starter did not get wet, so sounds like I should be good there. Thanks for the replies. Just wanted to be sure there wasn't some type of Maintenance to be done after something like this. |
74Wind wrote:Posted By: shortliner
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 4:51pm
| you do have to periodically treat the covers to keep them water proof/repellent. Even my 2011 required this to be done. Once you settle on a nice cover every few years does the trick. I use a garden sprayer to apply. Oh an dyes always pull drain plug if storing on dry land. |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 5:15pm
This is one of the few things I know well on a boat as I have forgotten to put one in when launching my '82 Ski Supreme. Didn't sink the boat but it was close.  . This time the boat wasn't mine, I was just test driving it. Happy I took the 10 hour round trip to take the boat for a quick drive before it got too cold. |
Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 5:27pm
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5 Hours would either put you in the Finger Lakes or the Adirondacks. Which lake? ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 5:29pm
| Canandaigua Lake |
Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: September-24-2015 at 7:16pm
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Small world. My family has been on Keuka for 9 generations. We were just there for 8 days in August. Canandaigua is nice, last time I was there we flew my bro's floatplane over for lunch at a place maybe halfway down the west side, can't remember the name of it. What a great drive from the city, eh? I grew up in Stamford so have taken that same trip many times..... ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |