Water in bow

[nightstalker]

My 21" WAC has about an inch of water in the bow. The auto bilge in the bow will take it down to this level because of the height of the platform it sits on. There is no way to move it lower in the bow. The rear bilge is always dry. Just looking at the way the boat sits in the water, you can see that water will collect in the bow before collecting in the stern. I can blow all the water out when underway but I was wondering if this normal for walk around cuddies? <br />Stalker

 

[mole2]

Re: Water in bow

No boat should be taking on water. Especially in the bow. You have a water leak. I would use a shop vac to get all the water out and then try and find out where it's coming in. Loose hatch? Broken seal? Etc.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Water in bow

Went to slip this morning and checked all the below water fittings. Everything was tight and dry. When I hit the bilge, she takes out a couple of quarts of water. It doesn't matter if I leave the switch on auto or off overnight, thats all it ever discharges. I have never had the bilge go on when set on auto at the dock, and I spend a lot of time there. Hull was checked out before launch and she was tight. This one has me baffled.<br />Stalker

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Water in bow

Do you have an I/O or an outboard? You should check the raw water intake hoses on your engine if you have an I/O. Sometimes they can leak and you don't think to look there. Also check the water pump plate that covers the impellor, those gaskets can leak too especially if it wasn't changed the last time the pump was serviced. I'm assuming when you say you can "blow the water out when underway" that you mean you're using the aft bilge pump. No bulkheads blocking the water from getting from one end to the other? So the water could be coming from anywhere, not just the bow. Just a thought. Good Luck

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Water in bow

I have an outboard. There is nothing to block the water from running fore and aft.<br />Stalker

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Water in bow

Tricky problem. My last suggestion is to take the boat out of the water and fill the bilge with water from a hose a few inches and see if water drips from anywhere. Also, do you have any onboard water tanks that could be leaking. Take soundings on those tanks to see if their losing water. Keep at it, it has to be coming from somewhere. Keep us posted.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Water in bow

That's my next move, to take her out and fill the bottom with water to see where it's coming from. What really has me baffled is that the level of water is exactly the same whether or not I bilge it out, let it sit for one day, or three. The water leaking in must reach that level and pressure from somewhere must stop it at that point. I don't have any fresh water tanks on board.<br />Stalker

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Water in bow

Pulled boat this morning and trailered it home. Filled it with water slightly above the water line and nothing leaked. I'll bet one of my dock mates is sneaking to the marina at 3:00 a.m. every night and putting a few gallons of water in my boat to drive me nuts.<br />Stalker

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Water in bow

Since I am not well versed in boat hull terms, I had the same problem with my Wellcraft Closed Bow runabout. Turned out to be in the area where the "top" of the platform meets the hull. Not the same type of hull, but you get the idea. I'll use this pic from ccrew as an example:<br /><br />

 

[mole2]

Re: Water in bow

Could it be a baitwell or fish box leaking? Maybe it fills to the point of overflow. Just guessing. What is the year, brand, model etc of the boat?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Water in bow

Do you have a freshwater supply tank on that boat?? Does it do this docked or after running?

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Water in bow

Boat is a 1991 21' Sunbird walk around cuddy. The previous owner twisted the hoses on the fish boxes so that they are blocked. No water enters or exits from the boxes. I haven't even used them. The boat is in a slip. I have checked every fitting below or near the water line and they are all dry and tight. <br />Stumped Stalker

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Water in bow

Sorry, but I forgot to tell you that I checked the baitwell and the fittings and they were fine. No water even comes near the overflow. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm at the slip or running, I keep getting that inch of water in the bow.<br />Stalker