Inaccessible bilge area - trapped water

[Peace Of Work]

Hello Club Sea Ray members. We are in the process of restoring a 1995 330 SD and just today put it back in the water after extensive rework (new engines, interior, etc, etc.) During the process of moving it from drydock, we discovered that there was water trapped in a basically inaccessible bilge area under the aft cabin along centerline. Has anyone come across this problem and if so, what was done to fix it? I am thinking about cutting an access hole in the aft cabin deck, clean and dry the area out (which also has foam) and customize a hatch so that this area is no longer an unmaintainable cavity. Also, any ideas on why Sea Ray would design something like this in the first place?

 

[jjsstl]

We had a similar problem, hauled the boat from Florida and could not figure out why the rear axle was overweight. We had alot of water under the aft cabin!!! The bigger problem for you is how it got there in the first place. In our case, I learned that during an AC replacement the inbound cooling hose fell and hydraulic pressure allowed water to enter the boat......and it settled in the lowest part of the hull.

In our case we rigged a shop vac with a smaller hose and were able to stick it in an opening near the step down into the aft cabin. Your idea about the access plate certainly would work but I am not sure it is necessary.

We have never had that problem again.

I would first determine the cause, and fix that.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

There is suppose to be a drain run from the bow to the stern to allow water to drain aft. If it is "stuck" in the forward area, there must be a clog of sorts along the bilge. Using a shop vac is the best way to remove this "stuck" water. Putting in an access door is also an excellent idea to use as an inspection plate. Water could have gotten in there from many sources.

If your hull is not compromised, it has to be from within like described from a frig drain, maybe the anchor locker, etc. or an external rain or rail leak.