Bildge water question

J

jmunro123

Member
Feb 2, 2008
370
Gran Bend, Great Lakes
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 390 Motor Yacht
Engines
8.1's
I was wondering about water entering the boat. I would say my bildge pump turns on about every hour or so and there is water in the bottom of the bildge.
What is the expectation as far as water in the bilge are concerned. Is this normal? Should I be concerned? Should it be fixed?

Assuming it should be fixed, how the heck can you find the leak especially with water in the bilge.

The boat is out of the water and on stands right now. I was wondering if I should fill the bildge with water and then check under underneath to see if there is water coming from any of the fittings. I am not sure if this would work or if its even necessary?
 
Is the water coming in while Running or just sitting in the slip? Ether way i would be concerend that the bilge pump is coming on with this sort of frequency. Repack your Drive shafts Maybe?
 
I only notice it when we are anchored or docked. If I leave the boat say on Sunday and come back on Friday the pump will still run. It would appear to be leaking while sitting but may also be leaking while running.

Any idea on how to find out where its coming from? How is this troubleshooted?
 
If it is leaking while sitting, short of opening the hatch and watchng for water i'm not real sure what else could be done to troubleshoot. Check all of your petcocks on you thru hulls and check the driveshaft seals.
 
We know it is not rain water or from boat washing because your pumps run persistantly when in the water. You have a leak of some gallon ot more an hour, and yes you need to fix it right snappy as it only gets worse and collateral damage becomes more certain.

The culprit is most probably the stuffing box for the prop shafts or bellows if you are on outdrives. The second problem can be the rudder shaft packing glands.

The third possibility is the raw water seacocks, hoses and fittings.

The fourth is leaks in the A/C raw water lines to the thru hull, or grey water leaking from showers and sinks, or you onboard fresh water system could be leaking.

My money is first on the drive train and steering. To find it you'll need a wet vacuum to suck out the bilges dry, clean up any debris and oil while there. With a powerful flash light and hand mirror get down in there and look everwhere for dripping water coming from the shafts and rudders while static at the dock. No leaking then place dry paper toweling around the shaft log and the rudders and take a short run, back at the dock look again for leaks and this time you'll have a tell tale of wet paper toweling to tell you what is leaking.

If you determine that the shafts and rudders are fine , then go to the other water systems one by one. Its the only way.

And you can not look past the possibility of multiple sources of leaks so If you find one keep checking all the rest. Bad news you'll spend some time at the dock, good news you'll bond with your boat.

Good hunting.
 
Last edited:
I would be concerned and attempt to find the leak. I keep my bilge bone dry so I can spot even a cup of water. I may be a little overboard on this but at least I am leaning on the safe side. Having a bone dry bilge has helped find a couple leaks, one was from the rear seal of the engine hatch when the boat would come off plane or a heavy rain with water running over the rear canvas and getting into the engine area thru the rear hatch seal another was a water pump leak in the starboard engine taht only happened at crusing speed (Thx to Matt at MarineMax for finding that one). Get a shop vac and vac out any water to a bone dry state then watch for any intrusion. I have used newspaper spread over various areas taped down and looked for water either dripping from the top or coming in around some seals or thru hulls. This helped spot a few leaks in the canvas as well.

Good luck in finding the leak
 
While the boat is out of the water how about filling the bilge with water? Water should go both ways right? Or maybe there would not be enough pressure. Also, that might not work if its a shaft issue.

What about having the engine hatch open and someone looking in the bildge as the boat goes into the water. Perhaps they could identify the leak as it hits the water?.
 
Last edited:
I don't think putting water in the bilge will do it. You would have to almost submerge the engine to get the level high enough to matter. Slim chance your actual lower hull would leak and even then you would see a crack or hole. Better off sitting in the bilge and looking around for awhile.
 
IMHO

Pull the boat out of the water! ASAP and get it fixed. What happens if your power goes off and your batteries run down and can't turn the bilge pump on anymore.

Everbody else has already giving you some great advice.
 
No water does not necessarily run both ways. Underwater pressure may force wanterin and filling the bilge may not have sufficent pressure to run in the reverse. Follow the instructions above. Like Nike states, "Just do it".
 
chuck1 said:
IMHO

Pull the boat out of the water! ASAP and get it fixed. What happens if your power goes off and your batteries run down and can't turn the bilge pump on anymore.

Everbody else has already giving you some great advice.
Click to expand...


Its OK, the boat is out of the water. The question is how can I find the leak before I put it back in. Thanks for the concern.
 
Asureyez said:
No water does not necessarily run both ways. Underwater pressure may force wanterin and filling the bilge may not have sufficent pressure to run in the reverse. Follow the instructions above. Like Nike states, "Just do it".
Click to expand...

Makes sense. OK, I will splash it and look around. then I might have to pull it again to fix it.
 
Finding the source of the leak-or leaks- is difficult while the boat's on the hard, especially in fresh water.
The likely sources are noted above. If it has been leaking for some time, you may find evidence of staining , and a buildup of minerals (in saltwater it's easier because you can see hardened salt crystals) where the water runs and evaporates.
If the leak is relatively new, you may not find the source(s) until you splash. That's a big leak- shouldn't be hard to find...
 
if I splash it and find the leak then I need to haul the boat out to repair it. Would it make sense to replace all the things that can leak, shaft seals, A/C intake, engine water intake, speedo, depth etc. Just do it all, would that be an expensive job?
 
I agree with Chad. A bone dry bilge is what you want. That way you can spot the problems better. Your shaft and rudder stuffing boxes (packing glands) can leak at rest. If that is happening you need to adjust or replace. If you're not sure how then get professional help. One gallon an hour is a potential disaster.

Fix this ASAP and enjoy safe boating.
George
 
Sorry, DUH!!!!!!!! I just noticed you have a 2004 340 DA just like ours. I suggest you check all plastic thru hulls. as for the shaft seals I believe they either work or not. I've been used to the old style and have repacked and adjusted many a packing gland. I assume the rudders are traditional glands and can be adjusted. Let me know what you finally find out the source to be.
George (cjstoo@cablespeed.com)
 
Thanks - but the looks of it the only way to find the leak is to splash it, find the leak then fix it. It might have to come out again for the repair?
 
That's a big leak @ 1 gal/hr- it shouldn't take long to find it.
I'd talk to the manager at your boatyard about dropping you in briefly during a "slow" time where they can leave you in the slings while you and/or a mechanic can go below to find the source.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,202
Messages
1,428,473
Members
61,109
Latest member
Minnervos
Back
Top