Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

[captain clif]

We bought a 1988 Doral Citation ( Mercruiser 5.7 4bbl) last year and have enjoyed cruising with it except for water leaks turning the bilge pump on 1-2 time a day or night.

Our mechanic has replaced the 3 drive boots and suggested sealing the transom holes and checking the fresh water system.

I fixed some leaks at the trimtab fittings and the cockpit drains. I can't see any transom or engine leaks either running or moored.The small leaks from the fresh water system are insignificant .

I would like to inspect and reseal the head water inlet seacock but it appears to be inacessible inside ( double hull)or covered by a trailer bunk.

Does anyone have any suggestions for accessing the the seacock or other possible leaks to investigate?

Help -Can't get back to sleep after the pump come on!

Captain Clif

 

[jonesg]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

Boats stands are useful.

 

[RobbyA]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

Bilge pump NOT coming on would make my wife nervous. I don't know of any boat that doesn't take on a little water during the course of an outing.

 

[109jb]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

Bilge pump NOT coming on would make my wife nervous. I don't know of any boat that doesn't take on a little water during the course of an outing.

Not a drop in mine unless we are tubing or skiing.(1988 Sea Ray 16 BR outboard). I took that boat on a fishing trip earlier this year and it was in the water for 3 days and never got a drop of water in it except what came off of the Spiderwire or the fish.

My previous boat didn't take on any water either and it was an aluminum boat with hundreds of rivets. After re-bucking the rivets and re-sealing the seams I could leave that boat in the water for days and not get any water in it.

In my opinion a small pleasure boat should not take on water and if mine do I find out why and fix it..

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

You might want to check your transom drain plug. It might be leaking. I don't know which type you have but it could leak. Sounds simple but sometimes it is.
Good luck
Bob

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

Mine was doing that, and it was a rotten transom. Water was leaking around the outdrive.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

Mine was doing that, and it was a rotten transom. Water was leaking around the outdrive.

Mine too, but I was taking on probably a couple gallons per hour. Rebuilt the transom and I haven't taken on a gallon total in the 4 weekend outings since.

 

[fraannk]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

Mine was slowly taking on water through the keel. It had been beached a few too many times by previous owners and wore through the fiberglass. I epoxied a strip of fiberglass cloth over it and now it is dry.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

I find it a personal affront if water gets inside my boat without an official "come aboard" from the captain!

 

[drewpster]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

Next time you have it on the trailer leave some water in it. See if what went in will then come out. If a trailer bunk is covering the seacock then it is possilbe the bunk has knocked the inlet around and caused a leak. If you cant get any water to drip out on the trailer. Try adding more or use a jack and raise each corner until the water finds the leak. See any drips the next day and there is your problem.

note; A friend of ours that works on steel hull house boats related this;

Dont fill the boat with to much water, especially larger boats. The hull is designed to displace water, not carry it. Not to mention the damage you can do to a trailer. Another trick is to get the boat as still as possible in the water. Use a light and some food coloring or dye. Drip some dye in the water and watch how the water flows by watching the dye. The dye will flow away from the leak. You have to be really still.

It works the same way on the trailer. The dye will flow toward the leak.

 

[bigbore]

Re: Bilge Pump Comes On -Wife Nervous

We have an 88 Cavalier, quite similar to your Citation. Doesn't leak a drop so far, touch wood! The head inlet control valve in the compartment under the floor at the bottom of the stairs could be the source. Mine has a clamp at each side of the valve. If the water side is leaking (valve closed) then the water will enter the bilge through the overflow hole in that compartment. This is also the location of the shower drain pump, which exits on the starboard side.
As mentioned before, it may be easier checked out of the water by filling that area and looking for leaks outside.