240 SunDancer Wet Floor in Bow

RichG

RichG

New Member
May 16, 2010
52
Wisconsin
Boat Info
2006 240 Sundancer
Engines
6.2 383 Mag Stroker Engine. 330hp
Bravo III
Newbie looking for some input from seasoned boaters. Just purchased 2006 240 sundancer. Prior to purchase I confirmed a clean boat-fax check and had a local marina complete a full boat inspection. After a successful in-the-water test ride, I took the plunge. I am keeping the boat in a slip, and after several days noticed the floor in the bow is wet. No standing water, just very wet carpet. No apparent leaks anywhere, and am hoping this isn't hull related. Any ideas on what to check? Thanks.
 
Hi There

Check shower box under the entry steps to the cabin, the float switch for the pump may have failed allowing the water to wet the carpets. Check galley water connections where they connect to the facet along with the one in the head. If all these check out ok check the join between the deck and hull for any gaps, also check the fittings on the fresh water tank located under the v-berth for leaks. Happy hunting.

Crofty
 
This happened to me on my 2007 240DA. It turned out to be the piping for the sink. But as stated above, it could be the shower pump under the steps too.
 
Thanks for the input - this gives me a place to start.
 
Another quick question - do you know where I can get a schematic drawing or layout that illustrates how to get to the piping/pumps etc. This is a used boat which didn't come with any manuals. Thanks
 
After checking what previous posters suggested, also check the tightness of the latches on your portholes.
I have experienced each of these types of leaks. Shower sump float switch failed, drain lines from the head into the sump box were loose. Drain lines under sink were loose and also had to access the freshwater tank to check the fittings there.
Last time I had wet carpet it turned out to be from the portholes, gaskets were fine, so I tightened the latches using a screwdriver and have had no issues since.
 
A quick update. After learning I could simply lift up the step that goes down to the cabin, I saw that I had standing water (an inch or so) around the outside of the clear plastic shower sump. The sump itself was empty. I cleared the water out, tested the sump pump (works), tightened as many connections as I could find - and I'll wait and see what happens over the next day or so. During the period of time leading up to the wet carpet, I had used the A/C and refrigerator - so it could be the water line / condensate line from one of those. (I haven't used any of internal or external water systems since being in the water (galley/shower/sink).
 
I noticed this same thing in my 99 270DA on Sunday. I remover the cover to the sump box and noticed there is no gasket on the cover or the box. I applied marine silicone to the cover. We will see if this fixed the problem. I will check (hoses, shower drain)the other responses you got to see if this is my problem also. I ran the shower to see is the pump was working, and I didn't notice any hoses leaking. We did run the A/C. I need to check connections
My head sink drains overboard.
 
Last edited:
One by one I am eliminating the leak options. Currently trying to access the fresh water tank and fittings. Is there an "easy" way to do this? Or do I need to disassemble the entire bow interior? Thanks
 
We had the same problem with our 2006 240DA. The problem for us was the fill hose connection to the fresh water tank. You will need to remove some the interior under your table storage and will likely find that the tank has fill fittings that don't have a proper taper diameter. By that I mean, the fitting on the tank for the fill hose necks down in the area of the clamps and does not allow the hose clamps to fully seat the hose to the fitting. We just used some electrical tape to "build up" the diameter of the fitting, reclamped and problem solved.

Good luck!
 
The problem maybe simply water in your bilge. The water moves forward and into the area where your shower sump pump is. When the carpeting was installed it continued past and under the steps. The carpeting acts like a wick and becomes damp. Check your bilge especially after a big rain or a rough cruise. Your automatic bilge pumps turn on only when the water gets to a certain level. make sure you are fliping on the manual bilge pumps every weekend when arriving on your boat. I tried to remove the carpet that extends under the steps but it was very difficult because of the glue used and the awkwardness of the location.
 
Thanks for the continued input. I have not used AC or freshwater system for 1 week, and sump area and carpet are finally drying. During this time I have used the boat twice under normal seas. There is just a 1/2 inch of water or so in the bilge - so I don't think that is making its way forward. I have inspected and ruled out the AC condensate line and the operation of the sump pump. I am leaning toward the fresh water tank at the bow and associated connections. I'm still not clear on how to access the tank - but I'll figure it out. -Rich
 
All you have do to access is remove the screws around the carpeted area that houses the cabin dining table storage. There are about 15-25 screws; it is really quite easy. I'll bet when you do you'll find the entire area up to the bulkhead (behind the tank) full of water. As I indicated in my previous post that was our problem and Sea Ray rep. indicated they had some tanks with incorrectly molded intake fittings. It was easy to remedy by enlarging the diameter (wrapping with electrical tape) the reattaching the hose and clamps. No problems in 4 years since I did this.
 
A quick follow-up posting. I "cleared" the freshwater tank as the possible culprit. It was dry and fittings looked good. So, since the original wet floor, I have inspected the fresh water system, AC condensate, refrigerator and shower drain. Since I just recently purchased this 2006 240 Sundancer, the only thing I can think of is that perhaps the sump float and/or pump were momentarily seized/stuck and overflowed? All seems to be well for the moment! If nothing else, I'm getting to know the boat well!
 
The water I took on was a bit more aggressive, but kept accumulating in the same place. There are a couple other areas that are possible, but were eliminated during the twice dismantling of the interior of my boat (by the dealer, it took then a couple months to solve the problem)... things like railing bedding that water gets past that then follows the headliner then down, or behind the head insert from poor window sealing, water can drop down. These can sometimes be checked with a good soaking from a hose though...

My water actually came from the trim tabs. Turns out that Sea Ray drilled a much larger hole than the size of the bolt they used to secure the trim tabs. The sealant partially failed so water passed through the transom. The stringers are quite prominent so the water stayed outboard of stringer and downhill was toward the bow. The stringer runout is in the cabin so it fell and collected on the carpet until it got about an inch high where the shower sump is... then oddly enough downhill from there is back into the engine room where it came out a limber hole (well, not quite since the hole is in a stringer not a frame) in the stringer to collect in the bilge and then finally out the bilge pump. Quite the long path!

Good luck!

If it fixes your problem, eat a gyro at Parthenons for me! Go Badgers!
 
Last edited:
RichG said:
A quick follow-up posting. I "cleared" the freshwater tank as the possible culprit. It was dry and fittings looked good. So, since the original wet floor, I have inspected the fresh water system, AC condensate, refrigerator and shower drain. Since I just recently purchased this 2006 240 Sundancer, the only thing I can think of is that perhaps the sump float and/or pump were momentarily seized/stuck and overflowed? All seems to be well for the moment! If nothing else, I'm getting to know the boat well!
Click to expand...


I have suffered with this problem for four years. I finally took the step out to expose the sump pump. (There are only 4 screws.) I have had it "fixed" on more occasions that I care to recount. So I took out the old unit and to my surprise I found that the MM boys tried to use electrical tape to stop the leaks in the hoses and then burned the shrink connectors on the electrical connections so that they leaked and are now all corroded. It may be the worst fix it job I have ever seen.

I bought the Rule sump pump, float and box for about $125. It took a couple of hours to put in but only because I had to splice the broken hose which required another run to the hardware store. The box looks about 50% bigger than what Sea Ray installed and it is just a better rig all the way around. Why they ever installed an attcrap is beyond me. They knew enough to use the Rule in the bilige so go figure that deal.

We ran all weekend with no leaks. First time since we bought the boat 4 years ago. Nice huh? Good Luck. :thumbsup:
 
jeffnazzal said:
I noticed this same thing in my 99 270DA on Sunday. I remover the cover to the sump box and noticed there is no gasket on the cover or the box. I applied marine silicone to the cover. We will see if this fixed the problem.
Click to expand...

You need a gasket. The sump has to be opened and cleaned on a regular basis.....at least once a season.
 
once again, doing it yourself gets the job done!

Nice work.

Rich
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,184
Messages
1,428,135
Members
61,094
Latest member
Linword
Back
Top