Front drain fighting the rear drain?

[ThePostMan]

Hi all,

I'm new here, but this seemed to be the place to ask my question.

I have a 19ft Bayliner Capri cuddy, and it seems to get water in the bow. Not a lot, just enough to bother me. So, after inspecting the entire front of the boat for leaks, I think I found the problem:

Under the cabin floor is a bilge drain that connects under the floor to the bilge in the back. I guess the idea is to drain any water from the bow to the back where it can be pumped out, but mine seems to be having the opposite effect. Any water that gets into the rear bilge area manages to trickle forward and pop out of this drain into my cabin.

I understand gravity and all that stuff, I'm just wondering how I can prevent this little "backwash" from happening? I replaced the cabin floor with a hatch so I can access it, maybe I can just plug this drain and open only in case of an emergency?

Am I the only one who has this problem? It's only about a cup or two of water, but that's enough to bother me!

Thanks for any advice you can give me!

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

How large is the tubing that connects the drains and what is it made of? Would it be possible to cut the line and install an anti-backflow valve that would prevent the water from flowing to the bow?

Just a thought...

-RW

 

[ThePostMan]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

How large is the tubing that connects the drains and what is it made of? Would it be possible to cut the line and install an anti-backflow valve that would prevent the water from flowing to the bow?

Just a thought...

-RW

Good thinking. . .it looks like it's in the 5/8" to 3/4" range, and I'm guessing it's PVC, since it's glassed-in at both ends and anything softer would crush.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

i would be more concerned about finding the leak.. back flow can clogged, then not drain the bow.

 

[ThePostMan]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

i would be more concerned about finding the leak.. back flow can clogged, then not drain the bow.

True, true. But to the best of my knowledge, there is no leak. The water that migrated forward came from the rear bilge, and it was no more than the normal small amount the gets in there from trailing her in and out of a very rough Ohio River. It never took on any additional water, just what was there flowed to the bow.

Good point about the check valve, though. . .I am a fan of fewer moving parts!

 

[Powerboat.ie]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

Hi all,

I'm new here, but this seemed to be the place to ask my question.

I have a 19ft Bayliner Capri cuddy, and it seems to get water in the bow. Not a lot, just enough to bother me. So, after inspecting the entire front of the boat for leaks, I think I found the problem:

Under the cabin floor is a bilge drain that connects under the floor to the bilge in the back. I guess the idea is to drain any water from the bow to the back where it can be pumped out, but mine seems to be having the opposite effect. Any water that gets into the rear bilge area manages to trickle forward and pop out of this drain into my cabin.

I understand gravity and all that stuff, I'm just wondering how I can prevent this little "backwash" from happening? I replaced the cabin floor with a hatch so I can access it, maybe I can just plug this drain and open only in case of an emergency?

Am I the only one who has this problem? It's only about a cup or two of water, but that's enough to bother me!

Thanks for any advice you can give me!

Hi from Ireland !

I'd fit screw in bungs to all of the drain holes. You can check and drain periodically. This will also make the boat safer in the unlikely effect of a rock strike accident ( Remember the Titanic!).

European spec boats are all fitted with these bungs as a standard safety practice.

Kind regards,

Stuart

 

[ThePostMan]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

Thanks Stuart!

That's probably the tactic I'm going to try. Eventhough the word "bung" always makes me laugh. I'm not sure why, though.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

Before you do anything drastic you may wish to do a dye test to make sure that this water really does come from the rear.Just take some green or blue or red food coloring and throw it in the rear bilge.If the water up front is colored you will know for sure.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

Just plug them and keep an eye on it

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Front drain fighting the rear drain?

No brainer..(after I figured it out, and driving me nuts)..
My 20 Cuddy BL no problem, but my 25 footer BL was driving me nuts.
Bunch of us out overnighting at a state marina park. Pretty windy, and a good 6 inch constant chop. My ice box drain in the cabin is about 4 inches above water level. Soooo, I wake up 3am..gotta whiz. Step down in the the lowest part of the galley, and "splash". Something wrong (duh)!
Look in the back, and bilge is dry.
????
What I found was the ice box drain had a cracked drain hose from age. Every little wave, tossed a little more in.
Fixed that, and then got the "Roto Router" out. Cleaned the whole tube, and the stuff that came out was the problem. Best I can think is a leaf was stuck in there, and acting like a scupper...the one way thing....
Get a snake drain, and go at it....hope this helps, as I love water, just not on the feet at 3am...