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Water in bilge

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 4:52 pm
by gamayun
Hi,

I am one day away from closing on a 1988 Freedom 36. I had to get another surveyor to inspect some work that was done on the bottom before final sign off and he questioned the standing water in the bilge. The first surveyor noted it but didn't seem to be much concerned about it. I know the float switch is bad but the bilge pump itself works although it does not suck up the last 1/2 inch of water in there. The question is, is it typical to have a little bit of water that would need to be mopped up from time to time or should I go looking for a leak? It has been dry weather and the boat has been on a stand in the yard for the past 5 days. Has anyone had to deal with something similar before?

Re: Water in bilge

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:28 pm
by GeoffSchultz
The holes in the mast let in rain water and this is common. My bilge is never dry as the hoses go up to deck level before going back down to the through-hulls and the water drains back out of the hose into the bilge. I could put in a back-flow preventer, but that's just one more place to cause a blockage and/or reduce water flow rate.

-- Geoff

Re: Water in bilge

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:45 pm
by midnightsailor
I wouldn't worry about it. My F-33bilge is dry from the bow to the engine, but the sump just under the engine pan, where the bilge pump pick-up hose is, usually has a 1/2 or more of water. Likely because either the pump can't pick up that small amount, or like previously pointed out, there is a small amount that runs back from the bilge pump hose. That small amount of water is nothing to worry about...you would be amazed at how much water a sailboat can take on before things get really serious,...ask me how I know :shock:

Re: Water in bilge

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:49 pm
by gamayun
I definitely have no interest in finding out how much water a boat can take on before it gets serious....I don't even like saying that!

After another look at everything including the strut, it looks like it is just a small amount of existing water that the sump can't pick up. Because the float switch doesn't work, it also does not seem to be increasing so that's good. There is mold under the floor boards at the mast, which needs to be addressed, but even that does not seem extensive. I think everything is "good" for now! Thank you both very much for the sanity check.

The next step is the big one.

Re: Water in bilge

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 3:39 pm
by dwight
It is not uncommon to have 1/2" of water remaining in the bilge. While designed to try and pickup as much water as possible, when the pump turns off, any water still in the hose drains back into the bilge.

On my 36, #71, I traced the leaks following every rain until I had them all. The only way water got in was through the mast itself. Thus after every hard rain, I still needed to sponge out the bilge. After I thoroughly cleaned and re-gel-coated the bilge, it was not such a dreary task.

Re: Water in bilge

Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 1:33 am
by RW Rawles
I am in agreement with the consensus above. As long as it it freshwater!