hull water not making it into the bilge

[ray_d_eightor]

Helping a friend out with a new to her Renken 20' IO. Water collects in these 'troughs' down below alongside the engine well, bow to stern direction. Below is a picture of the port side - starboard is the same deal. The stringers that the engine sits on make up the inner walls of these areas. I sucked all of the water out the other day with my shop vac, it rained last night and they are full again. My concern isn't how the water gets there (not covered, it rained) - it's why this water just hangs out in these 2 areas and never drains to the main bilge. There's wire and plumbing just laying in the water. Likewise, the bottom of the fuel filter/separator can on the starboard side is 1" underwater in it's trough. I'm working on cleaning up the wiring mess but still, I'm just not keen on having probably 5 gals of nasty smelling water always hanging out in there. I checked for cross drains to the bilge area and found nothing. Am I being overly concerned? Is this a design flaw? They don't really slosh out when you use the boat either. It's currently on it's trailer bow high - these things are probably 6" or so deep at the transom end - gravity doesn't do squat either.

This rig has been a real learning experience for both of us. Lots of fun as well. Out of business hull mfgr, dreaded Yamaha stern drive - what could go wrong? It runs and drives great and she bought it for a song. Not really having any problems with getting engine & outdrive parts (knock wood), it just takes little extra time to get them.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions.

BTW this is a GREAT site. I've learned a ton of stuff here. Hats off to the people in charge, the sponsors, and most of all - the contributors.

Dan

 

[jigngrub]

Re: hull water not making it into the bilge

Cover your boat when not in use to keep water and sunlight from ruining it... and it'll last 10 times longer.
The gray and blue tarps they sell at Wal-Mart and Home Depot are water repellent and work well, and with a dozen or so bungee cords will shield your boat from the elements if you don't want to buy an expensive boat cover.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: hull water not making it into the bilge

....if it were mine:
I'd dry 'er out real good, break-out the right angle drill attachment and paddle-blade traverse drain holes to the main bilge of a size to suit whatever size PVC scraps I had lying about. I'd 5200 the raw bores as well as the outside of the drain tubes........if it were mine.

 

[relocyo]

Re: hull water not making it into the bilge

....if it were mine:
I'd dry 'er out real good, break-out the right angle drill attachment and paddle-blade traverse drain holes to the main bilge of a size to suit whatever size PVC scraps I had lying about. I'd 5200 the raw bores as well as the outside of the drain tubes........if it were mine.

+1 you read my mind, u dont want all that water just sitting there. Looks like poor design, drill it out, seal er up and be done with it! Good luck...

 

[ray_d_eightor]

Re: hull water not making it into the bilge

jign - agree on the cover. One of the items on the shopping list, the bank account needs to catch it's breath first...

Eddie & relo - that exactly was what i was thinking about after I first submitted this thread - make my own darn drains. I can get in there with a right angle drill pretty easy. Hadn't thought far enough through to consider the PVC pipe & 5200 sealer - I think that's a bingo!

You'd think they would have put drains in there at the factory, it's such an obvious catch basin. The first time I cleaned it out it smelled like a seafood restaurant dumpster in there.

I'll double check for clogged holes first before the surgery commences.

Thanks everyone!

 

[relocyo]

Re: hull water not making it into the bilge

Ick, ive worked at plenty of seafood rest. And know that smell all too well... Good idea to check if something is clogging a drain. The reason for the pipe and 5200 is to prevent water intrusion to your stringers, as when you drill the holes RAW wood will be exposed... Good luck! And post back some "after" pictures...

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: hull water not making it into the bilge

Agree with above, drill some holes.

 

[ray_d_eightor]

Re: hull water not making it into the bilge

Checked again - no drains anywhere that I can find. As soon as I can get my paws on grandpa's nifty right-angle drill I'll take care of it. Thanks again for everyone's input.