how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

[NSBCraig]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

That's not a lot of water.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

I would think something was wrong if i did'nt have a couple gals of water in my 16' fiberglass bassboat after a day of fishing & riding around

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Thanks everyone. For now I won't lose much sleep over it and I'll keep a close eye on things next time out.

 

[Arnoldsw]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

What kind of drain plug? I would not worry about it until you take it out without a bunch of wet swimmers and tubers coming in and out.

 

[guile]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Stupid question, right?! Yesterday was our first full day on the water (we're new boaters, details below), and we had a blast. We went with some boating veteran friends - they had their own boat on the water - so we had anywhere from 4-7 people in our boat at various times. We were out on the water for about 2 1/2 hours, and spent an hour at a beach (had the boat anchored in shallow, calm water). For much of our time on the water we were towing kids on tubes.

At the end of the day as we pulled the boat out of the water, my friend was strapping down one side of the boat while I did the other. Then I reached over and started to unscrew the drain plug. He said "you remove the drain plug???" (we both store our boats in our garages). Just as I said "yeah, just to be safe" the plug came out and we were both surprised at how much water came out. I'm guessing it was a gallon or more.

I have absolutely no clue how that much water got in the boat. I checked the boat out thoroughly on the spot and couldn't find anything wrong. I checked it out again today when I was cleaning the boat and still couldn't find any glaring holes or "issues". Nothing seemed to go wrong on the water yesterday that would indicate we'd take on that much water. There are four small holes in the front of the bow where the previous owner had his trolling motor mounted - and I've yet to fill those holes. But heck, the kids sitting in the bow hardly got wet from spray/waves so I find it hard to believe we'd take on a gallon of water through those small screw holes.

Thoughts on what might cause this?...or how I check it out? Thanks.

i am brand new to boating and this forum so i know very little..i have purchased a 20ft old buckingham with a perkins 407 and enfield outdrive. i havent launched it myself yet but had a very short drive in her and she felt right. i know i have been ripped-off with the perchase but its too late to cry now and i bought her knowing there would be no waranty of any kind. anyway thats me. the thing is-while i am tipping her nose up and down on her trailer to do vereouse jobs,i have noticed water (diesel at first) keeps appearing in the bilge. every time i tip her nose up there is a pint of water in the bilge. like you i am mistified. however i to feel your answer lies in people getting in your boat when they are wet. Guile.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

old thread

leave your "nose" (bow) up all the time. leave your plug out. in your case, catch what's coming out. Bilge water is notoriously oily and dirty, but there shouldn't be any gas/oil/diesel of any quantity.

If the boat continuously drains a trickle, you have wet floatation foam up in there.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Nobody mentioned fishing. I know that's not the case here but if you do fishing you'll get a lot of water in the boat from landing fish too.

 

[jcornell26]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

I too noticed this the last couple times I was returning from a day out on the lake. I just got the boat, so I am going to have to investigate, but it's a good 5 gallons in the bilge I'd say. It's a good enough amount that it goes up into the storage compartment in the center of the boat that's used for ski's, etc. Next weekend, I will drop it down on the lift and try and gauge where the water is coming from.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

A typical automatic Bilge Pump Switch requires 2 inches or more of water to turn on.
In a bilge as small as 24x24 inches; 2 inches of water is 5 gallons.

One gallon of water would be less than a half inch.
If the pump were to ever come on, when it shut off, it would leave way more that a gallon behind.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

1st and most important, ALWAYS remove your drain plug when transporting your boat, and pass that info along. It sounds like your friend doesn't remove his. It's state law in MN to remove the drain plug at the ramp. They are stepping up enforcement of that law this year, they will give you a ticket, and the fine is $250. Same goes for any and all weeds stuck to the trailer and/or boat once you leave the ramp, they can pull you over for that offense and it sounds like they aren't going to be giving breaks like they used to.

As for a gallon in the boat, that's no big deal.

 

[jcornell26]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

1st and most important, ALWAYS remove your drain plug when transporting your boat, and pass that info along. It sounds like your friend doesn't remove his.

My boat goes in a lift. Obviously I can't access the drain plug without getting in the water. Does it matter if there is a little but of water in the bilge?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

1st and most important, ALWAYS remove your drain plug when transporting your boat, and pass that info along. It sounds like your friend doesn't remove his.

My boat goes in a lift. Obviously I can't access the drain plug without getting in the water. Does it matter if there is a little bit of water in the bilge?

The purpose of the law is to stop people from transporting weeds and bilge water and the creatures that live in the water from one lake to another and spreading the alien species.

If you are only lifting your boat out of the water you are not Transporting the boat anywhere.
Not a law breaker.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

My boat goes in a lift. Obviously I can't access the drain plug without getting in the water. Does it matter if there is a little but of water in the bilge?

also, that small constant amount won't hurt anything; all moored boats have it as well. I might remove it if I were going to store the boat for a while, though. Also, be mindful that in the winter, that water will freeze PDQ and could cause problems, such as with a through-hull for a wash down or live well. In that case a splash of pink RV antifreeze does the trick.

Be sure your boat is sitting on the lift bow up; you don't want water accumulating amidships.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Most of you guys are more experienced boaters than me, so I'll keep an eye on how much water is dragged into the boat. There were certainly five kids going in/out of the boat on a regular basis, as were the tubes. It seems hard to believe that could account for a gallon or more...but maybe? It seemed like most of the water just sort of evaporated via the sun and wind. I do recall that when we anchored by the beach I reached into the center storage area (under the floor) where we keep the anchor and the skiis. It seemed like we had a normal amount of water in that area that I always see (maybe 1/2").

Is the bilge pump supposed to come on automatically? I have a switch on the dash that is for the bilge pump. I assumed that I was supposed to work that manually - no?

Years ago when speedos were in, a person didn't drag much water into the boat. Now that swimming trunks are down to the ankles, its a differennt story!

 

[jcornell26]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

The purpose of the law is to stop people from transporting weeds and bilge water and the creatures that live in the water from one lake to another and spreading the alien species.

If you are only lifting your boat out of the water you are not Transporting the boat anywhere.
Not a law breaker.

Yeah, my Dad (who still lives in MN) has been bitching about this. My point about the lift is that I can't get all the water out via the bilge in a lift. There is always that little but left that it won't suck out.

 

[Chip Chester]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Don't overlook the possibility of your more experienced buddies playing tricks on the newbie. It has happened before...
Still good to look for the cause, though... whatever it may be.

Chip

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

It is terrific that people are making suggestions on where the water is coming from and solutions...... we like participation in the forum!

THIS THREAD IS 3 YEARS OLD!!!!!:facepalm:

 

[NYBo]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

I've noticed that the mods haven't been closing resurrected threads lately.

 

[QC]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

We are not closing, but just noting and letting then fall off the page. Those of you who watch these are a big help. Instead of reporting, a simple, polite, post suggesting to the new poster to start their own thread, or noting the age, is appreciated. Thanks

 

[NYBo]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Will do!