water in my 88 searay 268

[vamanos]

I keep my boat in the water. My boat has not discharged water via the bilge pump switch in weeks. Today I took it out of the water and while I was strapping the transom, many gallons (maybe 20 gallons) of water came out. The engine compartment has been dry all of this time. The bilge pump alarm has been going off regularly, but willl not pump out any water so I thought the alarm had shorted. So, I thought there was no water. Where is the bilge? Below the engine compartment? Where is the bilge pump? Where and what is the sump pump? Thanks much for your time.

 

[lime4x4]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

I own a 86 268 which i'm currently redoing. The bilge is the engine compartment. If u removed that much water and the pump wasn;t turning on. I'd have to say u have a problem with either the bilge pump switch and/or pump. But the main issue would be where is the water coming from?

 

[vamanos]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

The engine compartment is dry. Is the sump different and could the water be coming from there?

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

Find the leak. While backing the boat in the water inspect the bilge area closely watching for water coming in. Get a friend to help. Keep repeating until you locate the problem area.

 

[vamanos]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

There has never been any water in the bilge/engine compartment. Please, tell me about the sump and sump pump.

 

[lime4x4]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

U should have a bilge pump located just in frt of the motor just below the main engine pulley. Does your boat have the aft cabin or do u have a storage area there? Mine just has a storage area. Which has what searay called a stepdown pump. Which is switch activated. The drain from the bathroom floor drains into this area

 

[vamanos]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

There is a storage area only, no cabin aft. There is also a dry water mark on the interiorr of the cabin. It appeared one day but was never wet to the touch. Also, the shower has never been used.

A knowlegable captain was at my boat when the water came out and siad it wasn't much, actually. After a month in the water, I suppose he was right. But it is in a covered slip so rain watter is out as a possibility. d

How do you get to the stepdown pump to check it out? How do you get to the bilge pump under the engine? Thanks.

 

[Philster]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

You are gonna have to get your head down there and start looking around. Chances are it ain't easy. You have the boat. These things require some poking around.

Did you read the advice so far? Someone told you to look under the engine near the pulleys for the bilge pump. The bilge pump sits in....drum-roll please... the bilge.

Start looking, and take notes. Look for the wiring and hoses and start getting a feel for how it is all set up. See if you can get the pump info while you are at it.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/netdict/bilge

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilge_pumps.htm

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

once it's all dry, put some newspaper down and launch it; see where it starts getting wet.
Or while it's on the trailer, put it under a hose or sprinkler and look for water entering.
I've heard that some boats, at mooring, have a low spot in the center rather than the stern and water can pool there; you need a second bilge pump up there. That could explain a dry compartment. But when you run the boat, that water ought to go to the back and hit the float switch. Unless it's blocked by a stringer.

Finally see if you accumulated water in a live well, anchor locker, etc. esp up in the bow that has or had a clogged drain.

 

[vamanos]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

OK, this is good advice. I'll get my head closer to the equipment and find this water problem. The anchor locker may have something to do with it. It's the only thing that's in the rain and not under cover in the slip. The newspaper and sprinkler idea sounds valid, too.

One thing. I can see the bilge pump but can't see how to get it out. Does the engine have to be pulled? Sorry, I'm just an ignorant beginner. I'm also a slow learner.

And this sump pump/step down pump; where can that be found and is it accesible?

 

[lime4x4]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

the midberth/aft storage compartment pump is located under the deck access panel. If it's like mine there should be a cover that is hinged and attached to the bulk head closest to the gas tank.Getting at the bilge pump. U either pull the engine or hopefully your real flexable and u can contort yourself enough to reach it.

 

[vamanos]

Re: water in my 88 searay 268

There is not a hinged door, but there is another panel that is screwed down. That's probably it, right?

Any idea why this compartment/pump would discharge after being on the trailer for several minutes and not when in the water? And why doesn't this water transfer to the bilge to be pumped out? Another person suggested that the lowest point of the boat may not be the bilge and installing another pump might be the answer.

You folks are very good about helping with this. Thank you.