Why do boats get water in the bilge?

Bilge water is water that does not drain off the side of the deck or through the scupper, and is typically caused by rough seas, excess rain, or untreated leaks in the boat's hull. It is also commonly caused by mast drip, window leaks, excess condensation, or hose pipes that have been compromised by rot and rust.

Is it normal to have some water in bilge?

This is normal and should not be a cause for concern as long as the water does not keep entering the boat. As long as the bilge pump is not running often, the amount of water in the bilge should be safe.

How does water get into a bilge?

Water that does not drain off the side of the deck or through a hole in the hull, typically via a scupper, drains down into the ship into the bilge. This water may be from rough seas, rain, leaks in the hull or stuffing box, or other interior spillage.

How does water get in the hull of a boat?

Water can enter your hull through the rear drain plugs, especially if they are older and the rubber has lost the elasticity to complete a good seal. Sometimes the drain plug tube or receptacle fitting has become loose or the silicone around the tube-to-hull seal has become weak.

Why is my inboard boat taking on water?

There are a few things that could cause it. Bad seal on the prop shaft is one of them. It could be a thru hull fitting, leak in cooling system, crack in exhaust outlet through transom, missing o-ring on drain plug(s), leak through surf system. Those are probably the main ones.

All about boat bilge pumps. How and why to do a quick check to make sure it's working.

Should a boat bilge be dry?

A dry bilge may sound like a mythical creature that will never be encountered by mere mortals. With some careful planning, any bilge can be kept dry! To keep a bilge dry, you need to keep water from getting in, and get the present water out.

How often should a bilge pump come on?

It should check for water every two minutes. Nothing should come out of the bilge unless it has been raining or you have been in rough water.

Should I leave my bilge pump on?

Because the bilge collects water, a bilge pump there to draw the water out. It will use pressure or suction to do this. Without a functioning bilge pump, your boat will be subject to flooding. Additionally, if you don't maintain your bilge pumps the bilge water can get dirty and polluted.

How do I know if my bellows are leaking?

If it is leaking badly, you'll hear a roaring sound coming from the back of the boat. That's a sure sign. It's basically water getting into the bearing grease and rusting the bearing. The bellows itself is the beefy rubber boot that goes from the transom assembly to the upper drive housing.

When should I turn on my bilge pump on my boat?

How and When Should You Turn on a Bilge Pump? The pump may have a float or switch to turn it on automatically when water collects in the bilge. This is especially important if the boat is kept in the water, as you'll want the pump to activate after a heavy rain storm, for example.

Do bilge pumps come on automatically?

Today, most bilge pumps come on automatically. This is because they are built with an automatic float switch that turns the bilge pump on when water levels in the bilge start to rise.

Can a bilge pump leak water?

It is not uncommon for these pumps to crack and allow water to leak into the bilge. If this happens, you will need to remove and replace the through-hull pump. Any old sealant or silicone will need to be removed, and a fresh application of marine silicone should be used to seal the new pump you are installing.

Can you fill a boat with water to find a leak?

I would definitely start with any thing that penetrates the hull first. I would use caution in filling the boat with water. It weighs about 8 pounds per gallon so it may overload your trailer axel or tires. It is most likely a hole that is already thru the hull such as transducer, wash down, etc.

Can a bilge pump get clogged?

If there are no apparent clogs in the pump base or intake, remove the discharge hose, clean off the end, and blow on it to see if there's an obstruction. Alternatively you can bring a garden hose down in the bilge and try running pressurized water through the discharge hose to clear any blockages.

Can bilge pumps run dry?

The filter-free design is self-priming to 9.5' (3 m). It is able to run dry without damaging the pump. The backflow protection reduces water coming back into the bilge. The connections are 3/4" (19 mm) hose barbs for the pickup and discharge hoses.

Can a boat sink from rain?

A heavy rainstorm has the potential to sink boats, but it doesn't have to be that way. Keeping rain from sinking a boat requires proper design as well as owner involvement. Let me start with a few apparently false assumptions. The boats we use should be designed to float even when it rains.

Why does my bilge pump keep running?

Electronic switches which sense the presence of water without a float are likely to trigger false pumping if the water is dirty. Wet dirt or slime sticking to the sensor allows a signal current to flow, and switch it on, or more likely to keep the pump running after the water has gone.

Do all boats need a bilge pump?

Unless you have a giant ship, a manual bilge pump is vital. If water gets to your electric system, your bilge pump will shut off. The only way to save your boat or buy time then is by using a manual bilge pump. Make sure your manual bilge pump is easily accessible and can operate from a comfortable position.

How do I check my bellows?

Look for any signs of moisture on the bottom of the u-joint bellow. With the drive full trimmed up turn hard to the left. This will give you excellent access to inspect the shift bellow. Pull the outdrive to check the alignment and check for any signs of moisture in the bellows and shift cavity.