Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

[1Moredrift]

I have owned a 24 ft Grady White Offshore with an I/O for 5 years. I have always had some water in the bilge. I can't pinpoint the source of the water, but I am fairly sure that some is coming in from the joint where the motor cover meets the back part of the motor cover. <br /><br />The water ends up splashing arround and eventually kills my starter and causes excess rust to accumulate on pulleys etc......<br /><br />I am also considering removing all below water line items from the hull and reinstalling them with plenty of 5200. Does anyone have any other ideas/suggestions? Are there people out there that specialize in dry bilges? <br /><br />I am running out of options and if I can't get that bilge dry this season, I think I will start looking for another boat which is a shame because I really like everything else about this boat.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

Are you just talking rainwater leaking down there? All my boats have had water in them. You should have a small bilge pump at the very back of the boat so when you get underway, aft bilge compartment pumps dry. Keep the boat, buy a pump.

 

[1Moredrift]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

I have a bilge pump, but it does not get all of the water out after I am under waythe small amount of water spashes around and causes corrosion. <br /><br />I am pretty sure that I am getting some sea water in there as well as there has been water in the bilge when we have not had rain. If its not coming through screw holes or thru hull fittings how can you find a slow leak?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

I had a similar problem in a searay i once owned.I had a piece of canvas made on an angle and snapped it above the motor.when the water would drip down the canvas would direct it from dripping on the motor to having it run to the back of the motor and drain into the bilge.There is nothing wrong with having a little water in the bilge.Obviously the best fix is to find where it is coming from and sealing it up but that is hard to do .Charlie

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

Not to discourage you, but you may never get the bilge totally dry. I would check and reseal all of the fittings, etc., plus look for ways water can get in from the "topside", as others have suggested, hopefully, it will minimize the amount of water.<br /><br />BUT, I've even seen hairline cracks in the gel coat of the hull (on Grady's too), that would only open up ever so slightly when the boat was in the water under power.<br /><br />The only totally dry bilge I have ever seen was a welded hull Lowe Roughneck.

 

[mikecjn]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

I had a water problem similiar to yours with my Larson I/O. I finally stopped it by applying 5200 around my bell housing on the transom. I didn't see any obvious spots where it would have been leaking but tried it anyway after everything else wasn't working and my leak was gone.<br />Just a thought. Hope it helps.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

WD40 after each use may help the corrosion. Maybe you can relocate the pump? Once it's bone dry you should be able to see if water's coming from fore or aft, if there's a leak. That's a starting point. If it's just rainwater you may be able to redesign the hatch to redirect the water.<br /><br />PS I put some $$ down on a 25' 1982 Grady White Wahoo this past weekend, haven't seen another "straight inboard" Grady. Ever seen/heard of that model?<br /><br />Good luck

 

[jfc092]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

1moredrift;<br />This past summer my boat started taking on water. After checking obvious possible sourses (bellows cooling system, etc.) I discoverd that the wood in the transom was rotting, distorting it, which led the outdrive gimbal housing seal to start leaking.<br />Your problem may only be rainwater, but you need to get into your engine compartment with a strong flashlight to look for water intrusion.<br />If you ignore it by getting a bigger pump, your going to get bigger problems.

 

[1Moredrift]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

JFC - thanks for the advice. Is there a way to detect rot in the transome without drilling a bunch of Holes? I will have my eyes open for signs of rot when I reattach all of the fittings on the hull (trim tabs, transducer, swim platform, etc..)<br /><br />Luna Sea - I have not seen nor heard of the 25 ft Wahoo by Grady White. The Sailfish/Trophy Pro are the 2 25' walkarounds that I am familiar with. Is that a center console?

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

1Moredrift<br /><br />I posted a picture in this link before I bought it, contingent upon a sea trial in the spring. Took a bunch more pics. up in Maine last weekend. Don't think they made too many straight inboards. Wasn't able to find any bad reviews..... <br /><br /> web page

 

[jfc092]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

1moredrift;<br />I discovered my rot first by pushing in with my hand on the transom from the inside. It felt soft. Next I used a ice pick and pushed it into the fiberglass matting covering the interior transom. The ice pick went in an inch and a half.<br />At that point, I pretty much knew I had a rotten transom.<br /><br />The last thing I did was use a hole saw on a drill and cut a 2 1/8 hole into the transom at several spots. I found I had rot in the entire transom up until the last 7 inches of the beam of the boat. <br />I have since cut out all the rotted wood, made a template and cut out and epoxied new wood which I should be reinstalling this weekend.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

JFC,<br /><br />I'm curious as to what type of boat you have. Seems the transoms are more of a problem with i/o's or outboards? Sounds like you're doing it right. Good luck!

 

[1Moredrift]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

Luna Sea,<br /><br />That is a nice looking boat! Looks like it might have been the predecessor to the Sailfish. My boat is a foot smaller and I am very happy with the way the boat handles in rough seas. I don't hesitate to fish in 4 footers and I know I can get back in a lot worse conditions than that. I have a 300 HP 350 MPI sterndrive and My boat top's out at about 40 - 42 MPH. I cruise at 26 MPH and burn about 12GPH fully loaded.<br /><br />The only negatives I would comment on are if the boat is a single screw it will be tough to dock, and it might be a little bit on the slow side. <br /><br />But definitely a nice riding fishing platform.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

1Moredrift,<br /><br />In 82 they made 4 25' models. Kingfish (I/0), Sailfish (Outboard), Wahoo (Inboard) and Swordfish (Seadrive). Grady White sent me this info. And some pics. <br /><br />Sounds like you have the same engine. This guy just put in a 350 MAG MPI Horizon, 165 hrs. on it! How do you like this engine? Sounds like your boat flies. I hope I can come close to that, mine can't be too much heavier. Factory manual says 5200 lbs with old 350 (260 horse)<br /><br />I have a mooring so docking shouldn't be an issue. Gas docks around here are all end slips. <br />Is yours one I/O or two? (300hp or 600)

 

[jfc092]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

Luna Sea;<br />My boat is a 1978 Galaxy bowrider with a 470 Merc. I/O.<br />I bought the boat new in '78 and sold it to my father 5 years later when I moved up to a 25 ft. Cruisers Inc. boat. The Galaxy stayed in the family. My brother gave it to me 2 years ago after losing interest in it. <br />I guess I have some sentimental value to it. But, I think its a great bay boat. The glass still shines on it since its always been covered.<br />I still own the 25 ft. Cruisers. The 19 footer is just a play boat.

 

[BW23]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

Do you use the boat in fresh or salt?? <br /><br />If salt, numerous outdrive leak possibilities. Are your bellows in good shape ? Outdrive seal or gasket??<br /><br />hope this helps.

 

[1Moredrift]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

Luna Sea,<br /><br />My boat lists at about 4300 lbs with the original power package (260 hp /Alpha sterndrive) I had the entire power package redone in 2002 (350 MPI Horizon/Bravo 1). I think the stern drive is about 100lbs heavier. Also, I added an auxilliary gas tank that brings my capacity up to 150 gallons. The beam on my boat is 8' where yours is probably 9'6". My Guess is that your boat is about 1,000 lbs heavier than mine. I am not sure how that will affect your speed, but the only time my boat is at top speed is on a flat bay for about 1 minute aon the way in. When your out in the ocean with any type of seas you will have plenty of HP.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Wet Bilge in 24ft Grady Offshore

1Moredrift, <br />Sounds like you're familiar with the Gradys! My factory spec does list it at 5300 lbs, which makes it 1000 lbs. heavier than yours. I was discussing the 9'6" beam yesterday and friends seem to think 8' beam is max for trailering. Guess the 24's are 8' and the 25' 6" is 9' 6". Oh well, rudder hangs down so it would have needed a custom trailer anyways, and living a mile from the ocean I can probably hire a truck for 7 seasons for the price of a trailer. Think the extra 18" on the beam will be nice when I'm out there in the big stuff though! <br /><br />Hope you figure out where the waters coming from. Are you drydocked now?<br /><br />Come on Spring!!!!!!!!