Dark Color Bilge Water

[4sure]

Gentlemen

During the winter I cleaned out the bilge area very well. When the boat was put in the water in April some of the water from cleaning the winter dirt off the cockpit area entered the bilge and clear water was visible below near the bilge pumps, about 1/2" deep . After taking the boat out for a 1 hour ride, when we returned, the water turned dark and increased slightly. When the boat was left for a week without use, the dark stuff seemed to sink to the bottom of the bilge and the water was sort of clear. I checked all fluid levels, nothing was low. Since the dark stuff does not float I don't believe it is oil. Engine runs great, temp is fine. Any Ideas where the dirty water is coming from? :huh:

 

[sbw1]

The water in the bilge possibly has detergent in from the winter cleaning project. When you used the boat the cockpit water that drained into the sump got sloshed around and picked up detergent residue and did additional cleaning. You may be seeing some residual dirt that was not visible until the detergent put it into suspension and deposited it back into the sump.

 

[tdappleman]

I agree with SBW - you'd be amazed at how much more dirt is left on a surface after you clean something. The agitation of going out just circulated it around more and you now will have a cleaner bilge than you originally did. It's certainly something to keep an eye on - before, during and after future trips just to be safe and you may have a small leak somewhere allowing water into the bilge but it doesn't sound the like level increase during the trip.

 

[petrosell]

Do you have a gen set running a/c unit.

 

[4sure]

I do have a A/C unit, it was not turned in this year. I am investigating exhaust water entering the bilge, I will let you know what I find out.

 

[tobnpr]

I think the clue here is that it appeared after taking the boat out for a run.

Hulls hold water in a bunch of little places, many that don't drain to the sumps while the boat is at rest. Get up on plane, and all those places drain off.