Water In The Bilges

[Sinbad]

After Tuesdays rough weather sortie - fantastic sunshine but lots of wind and white horses on the water, I seem to have more water in the boat than expected. Was just about to leave the boat and opened the battery compartment to switch off, and found 2" of water in amongst the batteries !! how that got in there I dont know..

Also Checking the bilge at the stern, the deck pump ran for a good 1/2 hour to clear the level, and I thought that was that. Wrong....

 

On going aboard today, the cabin had water inside, the carpets piss wet through.

So once bailed out, and after a bit of investigation , the cabin is alot lower than the rear deck, and theres no inspection point wihin the cabin, except for the table boss, and this is where the H2O was seeping up through. Seems to be a poor design on the Orkney 20, as any water getting in past the outboard cables will go to the lowest point, and I havent found an inspection point yet.

 

Last time I was at Orkney, they were fitting a nice looking stainless gland/ conduit to avoid the usual rubber grommit most boats have, mine included. I believe this is the main culprit, as it only takes a few waves over the back when reversing and the water goes straight through.

 

Anyway I'm now left with a problem - Only way to empty it is to use a portable bilge pump or rig up something to my deckwash inlet. Plan A is to haul out on the trailer for a good inspection asap, and flush all the salt away, then hope it dries out.

 

 

Only highlight of the day was being able to squeeze 3 adults and 6 children on the boat for a quick harbour tour, and helping to rescue a dinghy crew who had floated away from the upturned boat, smack in the middle of the main channel...

 

Paul

Edited July 28, 2007 by Sinbad

[TomBettle]

Paul

The easiest way to empty it is to run the boat with the leg trimmed out a little at about 8 knots.

 

This will stick the nose high in the air and all the water will run aft to where a bilge pump should / would be.

 

Tom

[great white]

Sorruy to hear the new boat is taking in water, If I can help Paul give me a call

 

have you spoken to Orkney about this yet?

 

Charlie

[Sinbad]

Tom

You are right, theres a good 6" or so level difference between the cabin and the stern, and lying at rest on the mooring and on the trailer, the low point is def in the cabin. But its a diferent matter under way - the water will be at the stern, and its a good chance to check whilst steaming out the harbour.

 

You were very good not to say those immortal words

" should have bought a MF "

 

I reckon I have brought most of this this on myself by making a passage hole for the deck wash inlet in a vertical bulkhead in the deck- its just not high enough above the scuppers, so when you have loads of gear at the back or are reversing, its easy for water to wash past the scupper, and seep past the hose, even though its a reasonably tight fit.

 

Anyway, Sunday's job was to fix a wood plug in the hole, after bailing everything dry, and flushing out with fresh water. I'll plug and fibreglass over the hole when I'm not so annoyed and in a better mood !!

 

The boat is back on the mooring, all dry and ready to go, and one more lesson on boats learnt. I'll be speaking to Orkney in the week, but I'm already anticipating their response regarding the outboard cable fitting. Thanks Charlie for the offer, I'll no doubt be in touch fo some advice about the fibreglassing, seeing as you've been up to your ears in the stuff lately. No rush though...

 

Paul F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TomBettle]

HI Paul

 

I wouldn't have said you should have bought an MF!

 

Seriously though. New boats come with niggles, some are simply annoyances you wish the manufacturer would haev sorted before you got it, others are brought on by your own steep learning curve and others are simply a compromise you hadn't seen that you would have to make.

It's part of boat ownership and along with all these frustrations the overall experience should be great fun.

 

You will overcome this little annoyance and then sods law says something will develop a little rattle. 6 months of niggles (and that is all they will be) and she'll be perfect for years to come.

 

Tom

[great white]

Hi Paul

 

I am sure, as Tom says its just niggles.

 

When you are ready for the full repair talk to me. I have plenty of materials at home and only a couple of small glassing jobs to tidy up so I should have plenty of bits left over. and hopefully more time to help you with the repairs

 

Charlie

[Sinbad]

Thanks guys, I felt alot better yesterday once I had dried everything out, and cleaned the hull.

 

At least the sun was out, and she went back on the mooring without any drama.

 

Its amazing what a full days sunshine can do for the morale - I think I forgot what it was like....

 

Roll on Septembers warm days and evenings

 

 

Paul