water filling up mid birth bilge

[Rag2Tag]

2008 Amberjack 290. I keep my boat in a lift out of the water. There is a bilge compartment under the mid birth where the shower/sink sump pump is located. Within the bilge is also my water tank. I keep virtually no water in the water tank when my boat is in the lift. I have noticed that water is collecting in this bilge compartment. I'm not running the shower, sink or anything else on the boat when the boat is in the lift. Over several weeks, a lot of water collects in the bilge. I believe the water is rain water that is somehow collecting there. Any ideas of where the water could be coming from top-side? Anyone else experiencing something similar? I do not see, feel or smell moisture in my cabin. The bilge where my engines are located has minimal water in it which I have always attributed to rain. Again, the boat is kept in a lift out of the water so I'm pretty sure the water is not coming from under the boat. Thanks for any suggestions and help.

The shower bilge pump works, but is on a float switch only and not reliable. Still, I haven't used the shower or sink enough to cause this amount of water to collect.

- Mark

 

[bigcrunch]

Next time a heavy rain comes sit in the boat with a flash light.

 

[Rag2Tag]

Next time a heavy rain comes sit in the boat with a flash light.

Thanks, that's pretty much going to be my next step. I'm curious if there are any usual culprits as a point of entry from the rain. I wonder if the water is coming through the deck where the opening is for adding water to the water tank. That area looks good, but I may need to try some silicone around the edge.

 

[JimT]

Typical water entry points are the rub rail, port lights, hatches, stanchions and windshield gasket. Have a friend spray these areas with a hose while you try determine from the inside where the water is getting in.

 

[Maky]

My dock neighbor ran into the same issue 2 weeks ago. He mentioned a check valve between the pump and the hull. In rough seas it would bring in water from the outside.

 

[Happy Dayz]

check your sump box for cracks/leaks at level of pump start

 

[Rag2Tag]

check your sump box for cracks/leaks at level of pump start

I’m going to do this as well because I think my sump needs some TLC. The float switch sticks, but the bulge is collecting water even with the water tank empty and not running facet or shower.