85 Weekender Cabin Drain

[Aljackson]

Im new to this (any) boat. As I am going through to see what all I need to fix, and what all I need to replace, I found out something I definitely dont like.

The cabin in my 1985 230 Weekender does not have a drain. Instead it has an electric bilge pump only. What makes matters worse is that one of the two screws on the retainer strap, for the pump, pulled right out from the wall. Then water started coming in from that area of the hull. The strap was screwed into a small section of under the fuel tank compartment.

First question:
Where was this water coming from, through the screw hole? (Can provide pictures tomorrow)

Second question:
Has anyone put in a gravity drain (hole) from the cabin that goes all the way to the aft drain?

Third Question:
What is under the fuel tank?

 

[Aljackson]

Anyone?

I can upload a picture in the next rain free day if that will help?

 

[230weekenderUSC]

I have the same boat. I would recommend keeping it simple with the step down pump and filling any old holes with epoxy before re-tapping and setting the screws to hold the strap in order to avoid water infiltration into the hull.

If you have outside water making it into the sump, you need to figure out the problem. That bilge area is small and not designed to hold water.

 

[Lazy Daze]

The reason for the physical separation between the cabin and the aft bilge is to keep bilge water from flowing forward INTO the cabin, along with possible CO gasses and the "smell" of a bilge. This is very normal (a good thing!) and is still in use today.

Water should not come out of screw holes. Two things come to mind... the holes completely penetrate the wall you are talking about and they are low enough to allow bilge water to come through (especially if the boat is bow down as in your picture)... or, the core in the wall you are referencing is totally soaked with water. Hopefully, it's the first. At 34 years old, and who knows how many previous owners and their level of maintenance, be prepared for anything, though.

 

[Aljackson]

I have the same boat. I would recommend keeping it simple with the step down pump and filling any old holes with epoxy before re-tapping and setting the screws to hold the strap in order to avoid water infiltration into the hull.

If you have outside water making it into the sump, you need to figure out the problem. That bilge area is small and not designed to hold water.

As of right now it was getting a lot of water due to the poor storage conditions. I have since changed that, and ensured that there is a much smaller chance of water getting down there.

 

[Aljackson]

The reason for the physical separation between the cabin and the aft bilge is to keep bilge water from flowing forward INTO the cabin, along with possible CO gasses and the "smell" of a bilge. This is very normal (a good thing!) and is still in use today.

Water should not come out of screw holes. Two things come to mind... the holes completely penetrate the wall you are talking about and they are low enough to allow bilge water to come through (especially if the boat is bow down as in your picture)... or, the core in the wall you are referencing is totally soaked with water. Hopefully, it's the first. At 34 years old, and who knows how many previous owners and their level of maintenance, be prepared for anything, though.

Well thats great. Because there was a good amount of water that came from that one tiny hole. I plan on starting the removal of all the cockpit seating and decking soon. I also plan on removing the fuel tank, and the engine. Perhaps I need to go ahead and do some exploratory cuts. I will check the flotation foam under the fuel tank, and perhaps cut a hole to see whats going on behind the cabin bilge..

Thank you.