Water in bilge

[Craig Ryan]

Just bought a 2007 Searay 260 sundeck 6.2 liter M/c. Used it for the first time last week on Lake Austin. The boat was usually full of people although not overweight capacity. We had a lot of water entering the bilge typically when cruising slow 8 - 13 mph with a full boat or pulling a tube slowly. The problem was compounded by a bilge pump that often lost prime. The water was deep enough in the bilge on occasion to reach the engine belts / pulleys thereby slinging water everywhere and starting a short lived panic among the passengers. However, we adapted. I was able to get the bilge pump primed and operating to empty the bilge, but the water entry continued over the 4 days on the lake - so we simply continually checked the bilge for water and re-primed the bilge pump when needed. No water entry in the bilge when running faster on plane. No water entry when the boat was moored at dock and empty. Upon pulling the boat out of the water The drain plug was in and tight. The boat has a thru the hull transducer. Looking for some suggestions on where the water may be coming from. We are going to replace the tsunami 1200 bilge pump out of caution but the amount of water coming into the boat seems unreasonable. BTW I am relatively new to boats (prior boat was a Chaparral 210) but I am a car / motorcycle guy so generally speaking, I can be taught just try and use small words in you response.
Thanks

 

[techmitch]

Just bought a 2007 Searay 260 sundeck 6.2 liter M/c. Used it for the first time last week on Lake Austin. The boat was usually full of people although not overweight capacity. We had a lot of water entering the bilge typically when cruising slow 8 - 13 mph with a full boat or pulling a tube slowly. The problem was compounded by a bilge pump that often lost prime. The water was deep enough in the bilge on occasion to reach the engine belts / pulleys thereby slinging water everywhere and starting a short lived panic among the passengers. However, we adapted. I was able to get the bilge pump primed and operating to empty the bilge, but the water entry continued over the 4 days on the lake - so we simply continually checked the bilge for water and re-primed the bilge pump when needed. No water entry in the bilge when running faster on plane. No water entry when the boat was moored at dock and empty. Upon pulling the boat out of the water The drain plug was in and tight. The boat has a thru the hull transducer. Looking for some suggestions on where the water may be coming from. We are going to replace the tsunami 1200 bilge pump out of caution but the amount of water coming into the boat seems unreasonable. BTW I am relatively new to boats (prior boat was a Chaparral 210) but I am a car / motorcycle guy so generally speaking, I can be taught just try and use small words in you response.
Thanks

Welcome aboard and welcome to boating.

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[RollerCoastr]

I would try to replicate the issue by having people stand on the platform while you inspect the bilge/engine compartment/ through-hull hoses for leaks.

I would also add a high-water emergency pump ASAP! I’m surprised SeaRay only fitted one pump on a 26 ft open bow - especially one that loses prime. SeaRay will install check valves on bilge pumps. That’s generally a bad idea, as the resistance that results can explain a pump losing prime. I’d mount a high capacity pump several inches above the primary pump, with no check valve and have it connected to an alarm.

 

[Golfman25]

I have never heard of a bilge pump "loosing prime." The pump impeller is usually at the bottom of the pump and just wisks the water away. Nothing really to prime. I would start with a fresh pump and float switch. Eliminate that issue. Then you'll need to take it out with the engine hatch open and watch for where the water is coming from. Good luck.

 

[Craig Ryan]

Thanks. Thought about adding another bilge pump just for piece of mind. The current pump is located A few inches in front of the engine. If I added another pump - I assume I would place it as far rearward as possible?

 

[Lazy Daze]

I don't want to scare you, but based on what you have written, this is not something you want to take your time on. Getting THAT much water in the bilge is a major concern. You can check it quickly - look at things while you're motoring to the trailer. But I would be getting that boat out of the water ASAP. The problem can be a number of things - I don't want to speculate as it would just be a guess. But this is not a light matter.

 

[Craig Ryan]

Goldman - I could hear and feel the pump running and we can manually override and start the bilge Pump from an override switch at the helm - but no water was pumping out of the bilge even when the bilge pump was running and the pump was several inches under water. I could grab the discharge hose and shake vigorously for 10 seconds or so and the pump would start pumping and expel the water from the bilge. I assumed the pump was losing its prime.

thanks

 

[Craig Ryan]

I don't want to scare you, but based on what you have written, this is not something you want to take your time on. Getting THAT much water in the bilge is a major concern. You can check it quickly - look at things while you're motoring to the trailer. But I would be getting that boat out of the water ASAP. The problem can be a number of things - I don't want to speculate as it would just be a guess. But this is not a light matter.

Thanks. The boat is in dry storage. We don’t keep it in the water for an extended period.

 

[ColoSR]

Get a new pump stat, and make sure to check the fuse on the wire that goes to the battery.

if you have the boat on a trailer, you can put the plug in and add water to the bilge to see where it comes out. Don’t get too carried away with water, you can Pop a bead on the tires.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thanks. The boat is in dry storage. We don’t keep it in the water for an extended period.

OK, so at least it's safe. That's good. But just to clarify, I wouldn't use the boat again till you figure this out. Further... you mentioned you thought the amount of water coming in was "unreasonable". That's putting it gently! There should be ZERO water coming into the bilge unless you physically bring it in (wet passengers, for example) - but even then, it would be an extremely small amount.

You're at a bit of a disadvantage being on a rack, but try running the boat on a hose and observe the engine - you might find a hose that is loose or split. With the amount of water that you're talking about, it should be pretty apparent.

As mentioned, bilge pumps don't need priming - but there could be an obstruction (something that was floating around the bilge) or possibly a broken vane on the pump impeller... which could cause aeration.

 

[Chip S]

I had a bilge pump hose split so most of the water was going out of the boat but some of the water was going back into the bilge. I don't think that's your problem from what you said, but the first thing I would do is replace the bilge pump and hose (from the bilge pump to the through hull). I like the Attwood Sahara bilge pumps because they have a built-in float switch, but any good bilge pump should do. As said before, bilge pumps don't need to be primed. When the water lifts the switch they start pumping (if they are working correctly).

The next thing to do as stated before is to find out where the water is coming from. Having that much water come in is unusual and dangerous.

 

[SeaNile]

Way too much water, dangerously too much. Sounds like water is entering while the boat is squatting, is that correct?
You can get ear muffs and look in the engine compartment as someone else drives, pull the boat and fill the bilge with water, etc. Somethings can be elusive to track down and you often have to repeat the act that gives you the problem.

For good measure I'd replace the existing pump with a 2000 gph and also install a second as backup.

The best way to do it is run a light to the helm that lights up everything the bilge pump comes on. That way there is no surprise as to whats going on down there.

Could be as simple as added weight has a thru hull fitting below the waterline and lets water in.

Does your boat have the captains choice exhaust or at least plumbed for it? If so check those side exhaust ports, they sit low and at slow speed can create a suction and actually bring in water to the hull.

Good luck!!