[Betterdays123]

Here goes.
2004 3200 Tiara
Always had water in mid bilge between Crusaders.
This water always stayed below the bilge pump, obviously because the bilge would clear the water when it went on.
However, It never fully cleared the 1 to 2' of water.

Upon pulling the boat and dry docking it, this water settled to the rear bilge and I sucked this water out with a wet vacuum.
Maybe 2.5 gallons.

Strange thing. Once the boat was launched, I figured the bilge would be totally dry. But no the same amount of water appeared.
The engines and water systems have not been commissioned yet. So it is perplexing. It has rained though. I thought maybe outside water was finding its way in, however I do have a hard top.

Do you think that a thru hull fitting is failing?
New boat owner and I am not sure how much water in a bilge is normal.
When I manually switch on the bilge it never fully evacuates ALL the water.
Any thoughts out there?

[anthem]

Is it fresh water or salt?

[Betterdays123]

Not sure.
However, I would think that since the water systems were winterized and still are...the water is clear.
The water is clear. I don't know if the water treatment had a color.
I guess I could find out.

I'm thinking that I could empty my fresh holding tank.
Vacuum out the water and see if it returns.
Dumb question...can a heavy rain get water in the bilge.
Tiara storage boxes have a nice lip that drains water to the scuppers.
But who knows.
Am I expected too much to have a dry bilge?

[anthem]

Taste it. A little on the end of your finger won't hurt you. Knowing if the water is salt or fresh certainly narrows down the possibilities. If it's salt, it could be coming from a number of places. Rudder logs, shaft logs, leaking thru hull, broken hose clamp or loose connnection somewhere. Fresh water...could be rain water coming in from somewhere. The seals for the storage wells are not water tight. After a heavy rain or washing the boat, I get water in mine which drains into the bilge (I took the hoses off so it would drain). Let us know what you find.

[kickstartit]

If you'll look in the Forums section under Sovran, under Bilge-water, I've been working on a similar issue. I got some great suggestions from the board members on diagnosing my water intrusion, turns out it was four leaking bumpers around the swim ladder. I'll find out for sure if that was the only leak Monday when we put it back in the water. Maybe some of the methods suggested by the board members could be applied to your situation.

Steve

[jmk]

To answer your question, yes, in a heavy rain water can come in through your deck hatches. I've seen this happen and it occurs when the drain channel overfills. But there is no reason for guesswork here. Do as Capt George has suggested to many others: dry your bilge, then spread talc powder anywhere a leak could occur. Harmless and easy to wash away, talc will show the leak. I had one coming in through the base of my radar arch! Drove me nuts.

[Betterdays123]

My mechanic has informed me that the mid bilge is not connected to the aft bilge.
The 4 gallons or so of water in the mid bilge will remain until it is pumped out.
I guess the bilge pump will not pump that low. About 2 -3 inches.
Even after winter storage and the boat angled towards the rear.
So I vacuumed out the water and and returned a day later.
It was dry as can be. What a relief. I will monitor this throughout the season.
But problem solved for now.
Thank you for input and suggestions.

[Betterdays123]

Correction: aft bilge is connected.
But still dry for now.