Water in Bilge?

[Bliner175]

Hello,

I am brand new to both this forum and boating - I live close to the three rivers of Pittsburgh and got sick of watching everyone having all the fun, so I went out and bought my first boat - a 2010 Bayliner 175. I know a lot of people talk about about them, but it seems as if it's a good beginners boat.

That being said - we put it in the water today and spent about 3-4 hours cruising at varying RPM's (breaking the engine in). I noticed at one point there was 1-1.5" of water in the bilge, which I was able to pump out --- it did come out a cloudy white color at first then cleared up.

I'm hoping that this was a result of a few things and nothing major as I did come off of plane a few times way too fast and I had a few sets of wet dock line sitting in the boat.

Is this normal? The rear of the boat (to the right of the engine) also had damp carpet all day, which seemed strange to me...

Any ideas / thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Water in Bilge?

Unless you keep the boat in a garage, there isn't any way to keep the bilge totally dry. I have a sharkskin cover over mine (outdoors) and I will still get moisture inside when it rains!

Besides...how was it stored at the dealer's? There may have been water in the forward part of the boat when you first hooked her up.

I have gotten into the habit of removing the garboard plug after pulling mine from the water...the ride home moves any water to the back of the transom, and out. You don't want to store the boat with the transom plug in, just in case of some heavy rains.

Happy boating!

P.S. If you don't already have an inline fuel/water filter...make that your first upgrade!

 

[Bliner175]

Re: Water in Bilge?

Thank you. The boat was kept indoors at the dealer and wasn't expsed until we put it into the water yesterday. I'm keeping it in a slip for the summer, so I won't be pulling the plug.

Just want to make sure I won't get back to the marina and the boats at the bottom of the river!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Water in Bilge?

Thank you. The boat was kept indoors at the dealer and wasn't expsed until we put it into the water yesterday. I'm keeping it in a slip for the summer, so I won't be pulling the plug.

Just want to make sure I won't get back to the marina and the boats at the bottom of the river!

In your case I would have a look into the engine bay the next time you are cruising...and look for any water exiting around the engine cooling path and transom plate. I am sure that you don't have anything loose, but I would just make sure.

If you plan to store the boat on the water, I would definitely add an auto switch to your bilge pump, if you don't already have one. Bilge pumps can also be had with the water sensing feature built in...don't know what you have. A boat can take in a lot of water from rain, and without an automatic pump can easily sink...or get enough water to damage the starter, etc.!

Happy boating!

 

[Bayliner Customer Service]

Re: Water in Bilge?

It sounds like water spray is hitting the underside of the gunnel while the boat is on plane and running down on the inside, migrating into the bilge. Sealing along the underside of the gunnel molding where it contacts the hull will help minimize this. You did not say how long you were running the boat when the water in the bilge was noticed. Having water in the bilge after a day of running is not unusual and it will generally run out when the transom plug is removed and the boat is being trailered. If there was an inch of water in the bilge after a very short time running there may be other factors involved. We suggest contacting your selling dealer to investigate.

Bayliner Customer Service

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Water in Bilge?

Yup, instant water = yikes!

My old boat (a 1985) used to always have a little water swishing around in the bilge. My new 2009 boat is always bone dry unless it rains while we're on the lake.

If you plan to store the boat on the water, I would definitely add an auto switch to your bilge pump, if you don't already have one.

Rocky_Road is right on. You should at least have an automatic pump on that boat if it's being stored on the water, and you should probably rig up a redundant, second bilge pump. There was a great thread about redundant bilge pump systems just the other week. Search in this forum to find it.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Water in Bilge?

One other thing to consider - you said you came off of plane quickly a couple of times - where are your bilge vents located. Mine are right under the trailing edge of my sunpad, basically funnels if I'm not careful.

 

[Bliner175]

Re: Water in Bilge?

One other thing to consider - you said you came off of plane quickly a couple of times - where are your bilge vents located. Mine are right under the trailing edge of my sunpad, basically funnels if I'm not careful.

This is what I'm hoping for - they're positioned right above the mini-platform at the rear of the engine compartment lid...

Thanks everyone.