Water in floor around the fuel tank

[natsgrampy]

I'm winterizing the 1989 Sea Ray 200 and there is water around the fuel tank in the floor. I have raised the bow and that water doesn't drain to the bilge area. I have stuck a wire in the hole in the bilge that goes under the fuel tank to check if it were blocked, it isn't. I don't want to leave the water where it is as it will freeze and could damage the fuel tank. Shouldn't this water drain down into the bilge? Any suggestions as to removing this water?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Water in floor around the fuel tank

wet vac

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Water in floor around the fuel tank

Shouldn't this water drain down into the bilge? Any suggestions as to removing this water?

After removing the water and drying the area, install a drain where the water is trapped when you raise the bow. Seal the fitting with marine sealant, such as 5200. My boat's two fuel tank compartments were designed to drain by incorporating holes in the bulkhead which separated them. Factory worker #1 drilled the holes in the appropriate place. Factory worker #2 (at least I hope it was #2) skillfully glassed over one of the holes. It took me 24 years to discover the problem which was hidden from view until the tanks were pulled.

The point is that you shouldn't be afraid to fix something that needs fixing.

 

[convergent]

Re: Water in floor around the fuel tank

Don't be afraid to fix it, but do be careful not to drill through the bottom of the boat. In my prior boat, I had water that was getting trapped in what I thought was a compartment and was thinking of drilling through it to put in a drain. If I had done it, I would have been draining the water out the bottom of the boat! Thankfully my brains caught up with the rest of me and I figured it out.

 

[18WCmerc]

Re: Water in floor around the fuel tank

i feel your pain, its a design flaw in the boat. my fuel tank rests in its own cavity in front of a lowered stringer to the bilge therefore the tank cannot be commpletely summerged. jack your bow up as much as possible and try any method of transferring water into bilge, maybe syphon or wet vac, maybe a mini bilge pump like for bait tanks, maybe bad idea with a lot of fumes. anyhow thats your choices,