Water in Bilges - How does it get there

Silly burgers! It's obviously a sore spot. (Sauce pot?) :D

Wasn't this about bilge-water?

On a nearby note, has anyone any experience of those electric, non-moving-parts equivalents to a float switch?

I was thinking, in relation to the recent ferrocement thread, that if dozens of electric 'damp detectors' were located permanently in the ferro areas of the hull, any initial threat to the integrity of the armature could be detected early, rather than leading to rust, collapse or insurers' verdicts of being a liability.
 
Bosun Higgs said:
A GRP boat should have dust in its bilges not water. Most of the time I have managed that, but every boat I have had has leaked some rainwater when out of the water on the hard. The reason is pooling of water in places it doesnt normally collect.

Does it require detailed investigation? Pre purchase? No, its not practical which isnt to say it cant be used in negotiation. The only thing I would be wary of is leaking fresh water bag tanks which on Sadlers in particular can cost some money to replace.
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The only way to keep the bilges totally dry is to keep the boat ashore, under a full cover with sufficient ventilation and fresh water tanks empty.

If this is not possible or attractive, water in the bilges is as much a fact of life as the wind on the nose when heading at the next waypoint - deal with it.
 
MoodyNick said:
The only way to keep the bilges totally dry is to keep the boat ashore, under a full cover with sufficient ventilation and fresh water tanks empty.
:D:D
If this is not possible or attractive, water in the bilges is as much a fact of life as the wind on the nose when heading at the next waypoint - deal with it.
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+1: A head wind is an absolute, just like wet carpet in fore aft cabin on a Southerly 115 going thru the Race at Cap de le Hague NE end unless flat calm.:D
Wetter in a Wayfarer mind
 
I have this problem and after some heavy rain it appears as though most of it collected in my bilge. I'm sure it's the cockpit lockers but the lockers bottoms are bone dry. The interior of the boat is dry and not damp at all. I have no fresh water tanks as I've taken them out and drained them. It's a total mystery to me where it's coming from.... You are not alone!

Oh and the boats ashore at the moment. I've yet to spray the talc everywhere to track drips that's next on my list.
 
Depends on the type of boat. I have a 36 ft long-keeler fitted with two manual bilge pumps, so at the end of pumping a column of water in each 1.5 in pump hose inevitably runs back into the bilge. The chain locker drains into the bilge, and whenver I remove the log impeller for cleaning, water enters before I can get the blanking plug in. If the hot water tank ovepressurises slightly, the overflow drains into the bilge. Fortunately the aft part of the bilge on such a boat is waist-deep and can carry a hundred litres or so before anything becomes noticeable - just pump out daily and investigate if amount is more than the usual ten to fifteen strokes. Of course, it's a different matter in boats with a negligible bilge space, when a litre or so can show itself as soon as the boat heels.
 
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