1981 Sea Ray Water Problem

[amcgarl]

I have a 1981 Sea Ray SRV 245 that I am refurbishing. Over the summer, before I started the refubishing, I noted water in the galley floor. The Sea Ray manual says I have a sump pump. When I finally took the floor board up I noticed that around the gas tank, I take on water which then flows to a bildge pump. I have to press a button called "step up" to activate the bildge. If I am not around the boat for a few days I have a huge puddle. Does anyone have any idea how the water gets in there? What is the purpose of having a sump pump there? I know I will need to get an automatic float switch and a part so that the water does not back wash. I just wondered if anyone had this problem before and how they took care of it.

 

[eddiezuskin]

I have had some mysterious water in that mid bilge area. One problem is that step down pump switch needs to be in the on position on the helm and is also not hard wired to the battery like the regular bilge pump. I used to turn my batteries off when leaving the boat and occasionally returned to find water overflowing from that mid bilge. My best guess was/still is that water that comes in from the leaky cabin windows runs down the sides of the hull and winds up in that mid bilge. Since going into a covered boatel 2 years ago I no longer had this issue until this summer when caught in some heavy downpours while anchored out. The water has to go somewhere and I think some winds up in there.
On my 87 250DA the water from the ice box and from the shower drain flows into the mid bilge.
Eddie

 

[amcgarl]

Well I actually took the floor board up and I think the solution to the problem is an automatic float switch. I am working with the boat mechanic tomorrow so I will see what he thinks. Thanks for responding. I will get back with his assessment.

 

[ghuskin]

amcgarl,

If you open up an area between the "gas tank" and the "bilge" to allow any/all water to flow into the bilge, and place an automatic bilge pump here, you'll reduce the need to utilize your step-down pump. Due to the way these boats sit in the water, most of the liquid (ie, water) will pitch toward the stern, and generally be ineffective.

 

[amcgarl]

Again I went back to the boat and water all over. So I sucked it out, put some antifreeze in its place and put the cover on. I will deal with it in the spring. Snow is coming so no more time to play around. Thank you all for your help.

 

[ghuskin]

amcgarl,

It really doesn't sound like we helped much?

Make sure that the Garboard (drain) plug is removed, and that the trailer is tilted so that all water will work its way out. (sorry, but i want to make sure we cover the basics, as I'm not sure of your familiarity with boats)

you should not have standing water trapped in the area that you gas tank is in. Make sure that there is a way for the water to escape. I had to remove a bit of caulk that sealed the underside of the board that acts as a barrier between the gas tank and the engine compartment/bilge.

Again, sorry I didn't take pics when working on my fix.

Good luck!

 

[Sorrento 25]

Mine occasionally accumulates some water there as well but does have a factory-installed bilge pump with float switch. I notice it working most often the first couple times I hit the brakes when trailering, so I think it may come from under the gas tank, but I also assume every drop that enters the hull forward of the bilge ends up here too.

The slab of plywood between the bilge and the gas tank also needs attention on my boat. The caulk is coming loose and I'm sure there must be rot at the bottom. It looks like a simple matter to unscrew it from angle brackets and caulk in a new, better-sealed piece - maybe even Starboard.