Rain and Uncovered Slip

[MoRider]

New to owning a boat (97 sea ray 175xl), so this may be a stupid question. Had my boat in a slip for the weekend all they had was uncovered. Rained one night pretty good, and I don't have a cover for the boat while it's in the water. Came the next morning to see a decent amount of water in the engine bay. I ran the bilge pump for about 15 mins, all clear. The pump does not kick on automatically, but if I leave it on all night the battery would die.

What is the protocol here?

 

[airdvr1227]

You need a mooring cover for your boat. Probably a custom canvas shop or possibly the manufacturer. A proper mooring cover will keep the rain out. Second, you must have an automatic bilge pump that comes on when needed. I'm surprised that you don't already have one. Is it possible the float switch is bad? Is there shore power at the slip? If not your bilge pump is only as good as the 12v batteries to which it's connected.

 

[MoRider]

Agree on the cover; the bilge pump is activated off a switch on the dash. Not automatic as far as I know.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Agree on the cover; the bilge pump is activated off a switch on the dash. Not automatic as far as I know.

If you are going to leave it in the water, gotta have an automatic pump. Unless you like refloating your boat.

 

[airdvr1227]

Should look like this. To test it pull up on the float. If it's working the pump should activate. Also, ity should be hard wired to the battery.

 

[rallyart]

Install an automatic switch. You don't need a cover on your boat because you leave it out for a weekend.

 

[airdvr1227]

Install an automatic switch. You don't need a cover on your boat because you leave it out for a weekend.

:jaw:

 

[fhhuber]

If regularly tying up uncovered you want an automatic bilge pump switch... and a solar panel.

It doesn't really need to be much of a solar panel unless you are in Seattle or similar where it rains 80% of the time. Calculate watt-hr battery capacity, divide by 90 and that is probably enough. (appx 1 week to 10 days to recharge from fully drained battery)

I lean more toward a tarp and just tenting the boat with open ends to allow good airflow.
The covers that fit really well can trap moisture and then when the sun comes out the result is you are steaming the interior of the boat. That's REALLY good for getting all the wood flexible and wet.
And a tarp is cheap.