Muddy/Murky Water Draining from Plug

[97Searay175]

+1 for cleaning the bilge.

If the water was that dirty and nasty how was your engine running? If you were sucking up a lot of sand you may also have impeller issues. Did you notice if the engine was running hot?

nah - Engine was not running hot. I'll look into the impeller possibility.

 

[97Searay175]

"Apologize for the back and forth, it's slowly sinking in now" :grin:

Please don't feel bad or embarrassed about not knowing something.

The great thing about this forum is there are many people here with alot of boating knowledge who are only too happy to try to help us solve problems we all run into.

May I ask how long you've had this boat? Just curious.

Bottom line is....I don't want to have water in my bilge for the pump to have to pump out....or water that has to be drained by pulling the drain plug.

If it's simply water that came onto the boat by humans or animals......or perhaps rain water....fine. Any other source needs to be tracked down.

"Muddy" water?? Bellows would be one of the first places I'd look I think.

Good luck.

I appreciate that - I have received a wealth of knowledge after joining.

I've had the boat for about 2 weeks. This was the first time I have taken it out. Don't know if I'm being overly paranoid, but it is a 97.

 

[jimandsue60]

If I put my anchor away dirty all the mud and muck that was on it will flow all the way back to the bilge. If I clean my anchor no dirt ever gets into the bilge. Each compartment below the deck on my boat has a drain hole going all the way back to the engine compartment. Could this be your issue?

Jim

 

[Old Vet]

How big is a 175 5 Series bowrider? I would have guessed around 18', No?

If that's the case I wouldn't expect there to be anyplace up front from which water could flow back to the bilge.

But then I'm not familiar with this boat at all. :huh:

 

[Paulkarlsven]

Not familiar with the deck layout of your boat but my Silverton has deck drain holes that drain directly into the bilge and relies on the bilge pumps to pump the water overboard. A really stupid design flaw imo. If it rains heavily then quite a bit of water makes its way into the bilge on mine as it is collected by the canvas then that drains onto the deck then that in turn is drained into the bilge. Unlike a scupper which would drain the deck water directly overboard back into the sea or lake.

 

[Gunn]

How big is a 175 5 Series bowrider? I would have guessed around 18', No?

If that's the case I wouldn't expect there to be anyplace up front from which water could flow back to the bilge.

But then I'm not familiar with this boat at all. :huh:

A 175 5-series is an 18' boat. I have one. :smt001 . And you're right, there is no place up front from which water could flow back to the bilge, other than from wet people.

I still think you need some clarification based on this comment:

I was assuming that the same water the bilge pumps out is the same water (in its origins as well) for the drain plug to drain out, hence no "definite leak" since it was just another way to drain/evacuate the same water from the same source.

You are right in that the water that the bilge pump pumps out comes from the -same- place as the drain plug drains out. That's the bilge...the area under your engine, lowest point of your boat. Take off the engine cover and look under the engine; you'll see the bilge pump. Has two wires going to it, and a ~1" hose leading to the location on the side of the hull that you're seeing water pump out.

You have a leak. There should (there's that word again) not be any water there. But it happens...and that's why they made the bilge area so low and put a pump in it. What you now have to determine is where the leak is coming from.

From your description of the water, I think if you simply pop the engine cover off, you're going to see a nasty looking bilge and will quickly get an idea of the problem.

But also, like I said, crawl under the outdrive while you have it up in the driveway and look at those bellows, one small one and two large ones. You may find a missing hose clamp, or a crack.

Being a '97, and if you have no idea on the maintenance history, my bet is these are shot and need replaced. I had to do it when I bought mine.

Tom