Update- didn't break anything this weekend

[Anna_Licorice]

Just thought I'd update you all- we didn't crash through the floor and break anything this weekend. Though we did dismantle the bedroom- ripped out the badly constructed bed frames. We found some ballast-like iron on one side of the bow doors (deck level) and nothing the other side. The side that was free has the stove- so could it have been moved when that was installed. We found two batteries also on the other side- was the ballast move to accommodate them? I would have thought it would be easier to just move the batteries- the ballast was crazy heavy. (As are the batteries)

 

The walls that back in from the bow are no longer damp- as we have sealed the doors. However, the floor is sodden. Could this be from the door leak- or is it a possible thing for the water tank to be leaking? The floor will need replacing.

 

Concerningly, there was not a small amount of water under the engine in the bilge and the whole engine hatch compartment needs a good clean. Eik!

 

Next weekend we install the new bed frame and sleep no longer on the dinette. However, the dinette was very comfy, especially for our cats that we took with us. Yes we took the cats- two reasons really. 1. We are insane and 2. The plumber was coming to our flat to do some work and needed them out. (But mostly number 1) The cats usually don't sleep with us, so this was a treat for them- a treat that they reminded us of every couple of hours by jumping on us in our sleep- purring- curling up- asking for pats and basically being annoyingly gorgeously murderable! (Photos to follow)

 

Next weekend we don't bring the cats!

 

 

[Guest]

Glad bote life is suiting you I am sure you will have sorted out the gremlins soon

[nicknorman]

Excellent. Yes task 1 is to keep the water the correct side of the hull. Anything else is a luxury!

[Anna_Licorice]

I'm quite stressed about the water in the bilge. Can you explain to me about bilge water- my question in particular is where does it come from and how come there seemed to be so much?

[mrsmelly]

I'm quite stressed about the water in the bilge. Can you explain to me about bilge water- my question in particular is where does it come from and how come there seemed to be so much?

 

Most boats have some water in the engine bilge. It comes from many sources such as rainwater ingress or through the stern tube. Different boats allow different amounts in. Water under the cabin bilge is again very common and can come from badly fitting windows, condensation weepin/leaking plumbing, leaks from sink wastes, washing machines showers etc etc dont worry unless you wake up in the morning and get out of bed and your lega become wet up to the knee.

 

Tim

[Delta9]

I'm quite stressed about the water in the bilge. Can you explain to me about bilge water- my question in particular is where does it come from and how come there seemed to be so much?

It could be rain water getting in. There should be some sort of drainage channels for the water that lands on the deck to run away. Check that those drainage channels are clear of dirt and not blocked. If the source of your bilge water is the rain, there was probably so much because of the torrential rain/floods we had in Warwickshire/Northamptonshire last Wednesday.

[BruceinSanity]

I'm quite stressed about the water in the bilge. Can you explain to me about bilge water- my question in particular is where does it come from and how come there seemed to be so much?

First off, this is the kind of thread that makes it all worthwhile and puts the angst elsewhere into context.

 

Secondly, insanity is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to enjoy boating, so you are well on the way.

 

Now, water in the bilge. Could be from a number of sources, of which the boat sinking is the least likely. Usual suspects are

 

1) the water system

2) the water system somewhere else

3) the calorifier is leaking

4) engine coolant is escaping somewhere

5) the toilet tank is letting it all hang out...

6) one or more windows or portholes are leaking.

 

Having got as much water out as you can, wait and see if more appears and if so check its colour - clear, green, blue, pink, brown, muddy brown are all possible. Come back here for further advice when you've done that.

 

It's worth searching the forum for threads with bilge water in the title, too.

 

What have I forgotten, folks?

[alan_fincher]

I'm quite stressed about the water in the bilge. Can you explain to me about bilge water- my question in particular is where does it come from and how come there seemed to be so much?

 

Remind us what type of stern your boat has?

 

If it is "cruiser", or "semi trad", water in the engine bilge may well be rain water that is ending up in there. A common cause is that drainage channels and holes associated with the deck boards are blocked or otherwise not coping with rainwater.

 

If it is a trad stern, it is far less likely to be rainwater, unless hatches, windows or portholes are leaking.

[Paul C]

Was about to say the same - is it a cruiser stern?

 

Most boats have drainage channels in between the deckboards but typically what happens is 1) the boat leans the wrong way for them to drain, 2) they are undersized and easily get clogged up with leaves, other dust/dirt etc. Also they can rust out and flake the paint off, which leads to similar blockages. Definitely worth exploring to see if they want a clean out.

 

Regarding the lean, my boat had a pump out on one side and I needed to frequently "tweak" the ballast to get it sitting level or even do a slight tilt to ensure drainage. Luckily, this wasn't too burdensome as there were 3x large weights in the front locker which could be moved from one side to another to tweak it.

[Anna_Licorice]

 

 

Regarding the lean, my boat had a pump out on one side and I needed to frequently "tweak" the ballast to get it sitting level or even do a slight tilt to ensure drainage. Luckily, this wasn't too burdensome as there were 3x large weights in the front locker which could be moved from one side to another to tweak it.

I'll admit my embarrassed ignorance on this one. Being an artist myself when I uncovered 5 large metal objects in the bedroom- next to the bow doors I did think they were art sculptures that the previous owner had left behind.

Then I called a friendly boater from the next boat to mine and asked him and he told me they were ballast. Tee hee hee. (And that I shouldn't sell them on for scrap- blush).

Which just led me on to worrying that the boat was leaning...

 

Remind us what type of stern your boat has?

 

If it is "cruiser", or "semi trad", water in the engine bilge may well be rain water that is ending up in there. A common cause is that drainage channels and holes associated with the deck boards are blocked or otherwise not coping with rainwater.

 

If it is a trad stern, it is far less likely to be rainwater, unless hatches, windows or portholes are leaking.

 

Cruiser.

When I got there on Saturday I checked the bilge and it was quite full. So I drained it until the pump couldn't access the rest of the water. There seem to be three compartments. One under the engine and two either side. The one of the left drains quicker so I had to go out later and completely drain the rest once the one on the right had filtered into the one under the engine (does that make sense- not sure of the technical names for them).

1) the water system

2) the water system somewhere else

3) the calorifier is leaking

4) engine coolant is escaping somewhere

5) the toilet tank is letting it all hang out...

6) one or more windows or portholes are leaking.

 

Having got as much water out as you can, wait and see if more appears and if so check its colour - clear, green, blue, pink, brown, muddy brown are all possible. Come back here for further advice when you've done that.

 

It's worth searching the forum for threads with bilge water in the title, too.

 

- toilet tank letting it all hang out was so funny. I have a porta potti- but I'm still laughing.

The windows don't seem to be that great and we do want to get the seals fixed- how would they add water to the bilge if you don't mind explaining to a novice?

The water that comes out of the bilge is brown to clear. It doesn't appear very muddy. I'm not on the boat till Saturday (stupid stupid work life on land beckons) so can't check further. But am reassured by the sound that it could have been rain related.

[Paul C]

I'd say with 99% certainty, in normal circumstances, its rainwater.

 

HOWEVER

 

I know you recently had issues with the domestic water pump. When it leaked, where did all the water go?

[Delta9]

 

 

The windows don't seem to be that great and we do want to get the seals fixed- how would they add water to the bilge if you don't mind explaining to a novice?

 

Water ingress from leaky window seals would end up in the cabin bilge. Your water sounds like it is in the engine bilge, so it is unlikely that it is coming from the windows.

 

 

I know you recently had issues with the domestic water pump. When it leaked, where did all the water go?

 

 

Also pretty unlikely that a leak from a water pump would end up in the engine bilge instead of the cabin bilge.

[David Mack]

When you say 'bilge' are you just referring to the area around the engine or also to the area under the cabin floor?

 

On most narrowboats there is a bulkhead extending down to the bottom plate which separates the area in front (the cabin bilge) from the area around the engine (the engine bilge), and water cannot flow between these two areas. But some older boats have a'wet bilge' in which these are connected, and a few boats even deliberately drained sink and shower water into the bilge to run back to the stern to be pumped out. Not a good idea!

 

Assuming you have a conventional cruiser stern then the most likely source of water is rainwater through the deck boards.

 

The area under the engine should be separate from the rest of the bilge. It is there to catch oil leaks, so shouldn't be pumped out over the side.

[ditchcrawler]

Does the front well deck have overboard drains?

[Delta9]

Does the front well deck have overboard drains?

Does anyone here actually have a boat where the well deck drains to the bilge? It always gets brought up in these threads, usually confusing matters further for the newbie. The chances of her boat being designed that way are slim to none.

[Paul C]

The obvious thing to do, is to ask for a picture of the engine area/bilges and see what's where. Delta9 is right, the cabin bilge should be separate from the engine bilge, but we can't really assume anything.

[ditchcrawler]

Does anyone here actually have a boat where the well deck drains to the bilge? It always gets brought up in these threads, usually confusing matters further for the newbie. The chances of her boat being designed that way are slim to none.

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=73460

[Anna_Licorice]

You're right it is confusing. I'll photograph it on Saturday.

The water drains from the centre of the aft deck towards the front. Definitely in front of the engine- or I should say behind. Between engine and stern gland. The right side and left side both held lots of water that needed the middle section to drain out first then I had to wait for the water to make its way to the middle section to pump it out again.

[GreyLady]

Hi Anna I hope your enjoying your boat despite the teething issues.

[Anna_Licorice]

Also- side note- wifey says I need to be less dramatic and explain that water did not flood out of the water pump and she thinks the bilge will be fine. I said she needs to get her own CW account and post her own comments!

[Guest]

My old bote a 96 pinder had holes from the cabin bilge into the engine bilge one each corner so some botes have oles!!

[BruceinSanity]

Also- side note- wifey says I need to be less dramatic and explain that water did not flood out of the water pump and she thinks the bilge will be fine. I said she needs to get her own CW account and post her own comments!

Certainly sounds like rainwater, especially after last weekend.

 

Anna, are you in a marina or near other moored boats? If so, I'm sure one of the other moorers would be happy to take a look and reassure you.

[cuthound]

Does anyone here actually have a boat where the well deck drains to the bilge? It always gets brought up in these threads, usually confusing matters further for the newbie. The chances of her boat being designed that way are slim to none.

Graham Reeves built many boats where the well deck drained into tubes, which led to the engine bilge.

 

Great until one or both tubes rusts through, when they leak into the cabin bilge.