500/520 DB official thread

[tshannoz]

I dried out the decked box and plugged up the little drain with silicone. I’ll keep an eye on moisture and see if this solves it. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[rlynch03]

The previous owner of my boat owned a Sea Ray dealer, so I have a few things that were added. I agree, this hatch is the only way I would have found this water. Thanks for all of your help guys.

What other things had the previous owner added? Pictures are always cool if you can.

 

[rlynch03]

Ok gotcha. I will read the thread you linked as well. Thanks! What do you think about plugging up that drain? I think I may put sims silicone in there for a temporary plug. And keep the decked area dry for good.

I would leave the drain into your (laudry) bilge open. That way you have a highwater alarm that should warn you if the bilge fills up.

 

[rlynch03]

Same exact hatch on mine also.
I also rerouted the galley sink to the starboard common drain line rather than the sump so all of that nasty galley stuff now doesn't go into the sump. It is so much cleaner and easier to take care of.

We have the same water tight hatch over our shower/sink sump box and we also re-routed the galley sink drain directly into the starboard common drain behind the fridge/freezers.

 

[tshannoz]

Yes. I just realized that this was wrong. Also, I have been doing a lot of reading and condensation is very normal for boats that have breathing humans on them. And you get even more condensation when taking showers, doing laundry, etc. So yep, super normal and this is why it was fresh water.

Also, the reason why so much water had accumulated was due to my forward pump not working. Now that it works, the problem is “solved.” But, I still want to get rid of all of the water and not leave a half inch of water per the existing pump design.

I found this pump design. What do you think? It is able to be oriented to suck up every last bit of water.

Rule LoPro Series Bilge Pumps, Compact, Horizontal or Vertical Mounting, 360 Degree Discharge https://a.co/d/gXAC9FD

I’m thinking adding this as a replacement pump for the forward sump. What do you guys think?

I would leave the drain into your (laudry) bilge open. That way you have a highwater alarm that should warn you if the bilge fills up.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Found my leak. Wash down hose in trunk was on. I never thought to look there b/c we never use it. Dinghy makes access difficult. So after searching the boat for an hour, the simple check was it. Duh. But I confirmed all of my other areas are bone dry!!

 

[tshannoz]

Woot woot. Congrats Spike!

 

[Jeremygavin]

My new winterizing set up. I used to use a 15gal tub with a 1” tube going to the strainer. I would have to block it up high in front on the engines and frantically pour more antifreeze in the tub to keep up with the engines. Also I had to muscle all that antifreeze into the front of the engine room. Now I just fill up the 55 gallon drum up on deck and leisurely watch the engine suck it down. I ran water through it to test and it works perfectly. I am happy to not lug 40 gallons of antifreeze down into the bilge.

Edit: I haven’t post pictures since this new platform. Why are my pictures not showing in the thread?

 

[techmitch]

My new winterizing set up. I used to use a 15gal tub with a 1” tube going to the strainer. I would have to block it up high in front on the engines and frantically pour more antifreeze in the tub to keep up with the engines. Also I had to muscle all that antifreeze into the front of the engine room. Now I just fill up the 55 gallon drum up on deck and leisurely watch the engine suck it down. I ran water through it to test and it works perfectly. I am happy to not lug 40 gallons of antifreeze down into the bilge.

Edit: I haven’t post pictures since this new platform. Why are my pictures not showing in the thread?

They show up when you click on them. Looks great!

 

[Jeremygavin]

They show up when you click on them. Looks great!

Thanks. Is that how the pics are working now? I see other peoples pics in the threads without clicking on them.

 

[techmitch]

Thanks. Is that how the pics are working now? I see other peoples pics in the threads without clicking on them.

I copy and paste anything and that works for me.
Good to see you around, hope you guys had a good season and faired the storm's well.

 

[Skybolt]

Thanks. Is that how the pics are working now? I see other peoples pics in the threads without clicking on them.

When you upload the pic, you can click full or thumb. You chose thumb or it defaulted to that.

 

[rlynch03]

My new winterizing set up.

Sorry to change your subject but what are the large boxes against the bulkhead? Also what is the smaller one below it?

I don’t have them.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Sorry to change your subject but what are the large boxes against the bulkhead? Also what is the smaller one below it?

I don’t have them.

They are engine control components. I can start/stop the engines from them and they have breakers on them for the engines.
The box below is the controller for a bilge dry system I installed. It is ok but doesn’t work as well as I was hoping.

 

[tshannoz]

For those of us in Northern climates, who store our 500/520s in a heated building, I would like to know if I am missing any tasks before putting "Boat Times" away for the winter. Currently, this is my to-do list before hauling out:

- Final black water tank pump out with additional tank washes
- Flush water lines with clean water, clean out, and disinfect forward kitchen/shower sump box
- Clean all sea strainers
- Top off all batteries with distilled water
- Suction out all AC condensate and remove all water from bilges
- Final exterior wash

During winter storage, I will be having the following things done as well:
- Bottom cleaned and new bottom pain
- Flush and replace engine coolant
- Oil change for engines and generator
- Evaluate all impellers

I really appreciate the expertise and wisdom of this group. Please let me know if there are any additional tasks I should perform before winter. Thanks!

 

[Jeremygavin]

For those of us in Northern climates, who store our 500/520s in a heated building, I would like to know if I am missing any tasks before putting "Boat Times" away for the winter. Currently, this is my to-do list before hauling out:

- Final black water tank pump out with additional tank washes
- Flush water lines with clean water, clean out, and disinfect forward kitchen/shower sump box
- Clean all sea strainers
- Top off all batteries with distilled water
- Suction out all AC condensate and remove all water from bilges
- Final exterior wash

During winter storage, I will be having the following things done as well:
- Bottom cleaned and new bottom pain
- Flush and replace engine coolant
- Oil change for engines and generator
- Evaluate all impellers

I really appreciate the expertise and wisdom of this group. Please let me know if there are any additional tasks I should perform before winter. Thanks!

Here’s my winterization checklist. You can ignore the items you don’t need to do being in heated storage but there are some items on the list that could help you.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/slzrx4xytv05nvk/Winterization Checklist - 52 DB.docx?dl=0

 

[tshannoz]

Thanks so much Jeremy. I really appreciate this.

 

[j98052]

Great list. I recommend exercising all the seacocks. We keep our boat in the water all year round, and I exercise the seacocks monthly/every time we use the boat.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Great list. I recommend exercising all the seacocks. We keep our boat in the water all year round, and I exercise the seacocks monthly/every time we use the boat.

good point. I added grease fitting to my Groco seacocks and they get greased as part of my spring start up. Groco makes a grease for them that they are very proud of but won't hurt the seals

 

[rlynch03]

good point. I added grease fitting to my Groco seacocks and they get greased as part of my spring start up. Groco makes a grease for them that they are very proud of but won't hurt the seals

Did you notice a difference after you greased the seacock for the first time? I ask because mine don’t have a zero fitting. However, it does have a screw that can be removed and I believe to add the fitting. It’s been on my list for a while.