Water in Bilges - How does it get there

[wytco0]

I was looking at a boat last week and when I lifted the flooring I noticed that there was a small amount of clear clean water in the bilges. It was only a little maybe 1 possibly 2 cm max.

The person that I was with (not the owner) said it was probably because there had been a lot of rain. However thinking about this later I could not see how rain would be able to get into the bilges, I know it could fall though the hatch or get in the in the windows but they all seemed very weatherproof and the boat did not seem damp at all.

If its rain falling in the boat cockpit etc. I assume that it should drain out of the back of the boat and not get into the bilges, however I also know from houses that water has a way of getting in the most unexpected places.

The water was completely clear and looked very clean, the boat was in a river and the bilge water was much cleaner so it certainly did look like rain water, I didn't taste it!. There was no sign of any residue or salt or anything like that and the bilges were very clean.

So my question (there is always a question with me) is this something that needs more detailed investigation or is it indeed normal for a small amount of water to be found in the bilges of a GRP boat that is in the water in the winter?

 

[sarabande]

it could be condensation, or a tiny leak from a window in driving rain - otherwise invisible.

It is not so much the depth that you need to monitor, but the quantity. A litre in a flat bilge will look worse than a litre in a deep bilge.

Remove the water, then see if re-appears under the same and different weather conditions. This should give you a clue if it freshwater.


If you want to test for salt / fresh without tasting it, then there are cheap swimming pool kits which do that for you.

http://www.hydrofunspas.co.uk/10-aquachek-swimming-pool--spa-white-salt-test-strips-1601-p.asp



I think there is someone on the forum who runs a pool business ?

 

[Twister_Ken]

1. Condensation
2. Fresh water tank leaking
3. Fresh water tank overfilled. Over flow via a breather.
4. Rainwater leak
5. Hatch or port left open
6. Cockpit drain blocked, leaking into boat.
7. Pressure relief valve on calorifier opened because of hot water pressure.

 

[awol]

There's a myriad of ingress paths. Cockpit locker seals, cable glands, internal water pipes, stern glands, keel stepped masts, deck fittings ............... From your description of cleanliness, I'd taste and if fresh I'd go for the freshwater piping.

 

[oldharry]

Condensation? Otherwise its amazing how much rain water a leaky deck gland (VHF cable gland for example) can let in. Mine had this problem for ages and it was just amazing how much rain water got through. That was what deceived me - I couldnt believe that a tiny drip every minute or so would build up so much. Can also be a leaky deck fitting or stanchion post fitting, particulalrly if the water 'pools' anywhere on deck when the boat is floating to her marks.

Another possibility is a leak in the fresh water tank/ lines.

Third possibility if it is salty - and a small amount of even quite muddy seawater can look clean when spread out at 5 -10mm depth in the bilge is a weeping seacock, or engine coolant pipe joint

The first step is - is it salty?

 

[wytco0]

Thanks everyone, I havent decided if I am going back to have another look at this one and I am waiting for some answer to my list of questions to the seller, but if I do I am now much better educated on what to look for.

 

[wytco0]

.....

It is not so much the depth that you need to monitor, but the quantity. A litre in a flat bilge will look worse than a litre in a deep bilge....?

The bilges are very flat (compared to the 3 others I have seen), its a bilge keeled boat with encapsulated keels. I didnt make any attemt to measure the amount but I would be surprised if it was more than a litre or so in total.

 

[Koeketiene]

1. Condensation
2. Fresh water tank leaking
3. Fresh water tank overfilled. Over flow via a breather.
4. Rainwater leak
5. Hatch or port left open
6. Cockpit drain blocked, leaking into boat.
7. Pressure relief valve on calorifier opened because of hot water pressure.

8. If it's a keel-stepped mast, that could we another way in for fresh water.


One we to trace the source is liberaly applying talcum powder in your bilge.
The water should leave a track.

 

[claymore]

Sadly, I think everyone has missed the true reason, which surprises me when considering the age and experience of respondents - particularly the Twisted Kenneth.
In fact this is due entirely to the activities of the water fairies. They are cousins of the tooth fairies but come from the "wrong" side of the family.

They have a number of other cousins whose activities include putting stuff into padlocks to make them difficult to open, untying knots in lines etc.
I hope that helps.

 

[Lakesailor]

Does it have cockpit drains using skin fittings and pipe. I had an 18ft boat which developed leaks from the drainfittings. This shot inside the cockpit locker with open access to the bilge.
The top circle is the fitting on the cockpit moulding. The bottom circle is the water droplets on the inside of the hull. The transom is to the right.
Any area like this (inside the hull cavity and open to the bilge) can develop lots of condensation which will drip into the bilge.

 

[wytco0]

Sadly, I think everyone has missed the true reason, which surprises me when considering the age and experience of respondents - particularly the Twisted Kenneth.
In fact this is due entirely to the activities of the water fairies. They are cousins of the tooth fairies but come from the "wrong" side of the family.

They have a number of other cousins whose activities include putting stuff into padlocks to make them difficult to open, untying knots in lines etc.
I hope that helps.

Thanks Claymore I think they probably also explain other odd things I have noticed recently, I am sure something has been using petrol in my car and taking money out of my bank account.

Is there a recommended fairy eradication product I can buy?

 

[wytco0]

Does it have cockpit drains using skin fittings and pipe. I had an 18ft boat which developed leaks from the drainfittings. This shot inside the cockpit locker with open access to the bilge.
The top circle is the fitting on the cockpit moulding. The bottom circle is the water droplets on the inside of the hull. The transom is to the right.
Any area like this (inside the hull cavity and open to the bilge) can develop lots of condensation which will drip into the bilge.

Thanks
Not sure as I didn't look that closely but I certainly will check if I go back for 2nd inspection.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Sadly, I think everyone has missed the true reason, which surprises me when considering the age and experience of respondents - particularly the Twisted Kenneth.
In fact this is due entirely to the activities of the water fairies. They are cousins of the tooth fairies but come from the "wrong" side of the family.

They have a number of other cousins whose activities include putting stuff into padlocks to make them difficult to open, untying knots in lines etc.
I hope that helps.

An all to rare, but sagacious, visit from oor Gracie. Have a virtual slap on the back.

 

[wytco0]

An all to rare, but sagacious, visit from oor Gracie. Have a virtual slap on the back.

Blimey I had to look that one up

sagacious = Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd.

 

[Lakesailor]

I knew I had a pic. This is the underside of the cockpit sole moulding. The lower surface is the inside of the hull. The bits of polystyrene are an attempt by the previous owner to make the boat buoyant. (It doesn't work. Calculate the volume needed).
This shot was taken on a chilly November day with the boat on it's trailer. The condensation is what forms naturally and then drips off into the bilge.

 

[guernseyman]

What about the stern gland. They are supposed to drip.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

So my question (there is always a question with me) is this something that needs more detailed investigation or is it indeed normal for a small amount of water to be found in the bilges of a GRP boat that is in the water in the winter?

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.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

It must be Spring?

Sadly, I think everyone has missed the true reason, which surprises me when considering the age and experience of respondents - particularly the Twisted Kenneth.
In fact this is due entirely to the activities of the water fairies. They are cousins of the tooth fairies but come from the "wrong" side of the family.

They have a number of other cousins whose activities include putting stuff into padlocks to make them difficult to open, untying knots in lines etc.
I hope that helps.

For Claymore, aka Thomas the Rhymmer, has emerged from the fairy mounds in his dark Northern fastness.
Condensation, fresh water system or a stern gland weep are my guess- tiny leaks from hull windows mastic degrading in uv hit us last winter.

 

[rickym]

Thanks Claymore I think they probably also explain other odd things I have noticed recently, I am sure something has been using petrol in my car and taking money out of my bank account.

Is there a recommended fairy eradication product I can buy?

Divorce lawyer!

 

[Greenheart]

Wouldn't fairy-piddle be saline?

Wasn't it Adlard Coles, who discussed bilge-pumping in wooden boats at length, before concluding by mentioning that his latest boat was GRP and therefore ought not to leak a drop...yet there always seemed to be some to pump out...