This feels like a really dumb question.... '17 R23 bilge pumps

S

Spencer2829

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2026
Messages
18
I have a new-to-me '17 R23. When I bought the boat the bilge was dry. After some time in moorage, it has an inch or so of water in the bottom, which isn't enough for the pumps to pump out. of course. What do people do about that inch of water? Do you just leave it, or do you manually pump or soak it out of there every once in a while? It feels wrong to just leave the soup in there, but I've never considered how to dry it up.

Also, its my understanding that the bilge pumps are always on, and will automatically click on when there's enough water. The pump switches at the helm are just to force them on even if the automatic switches aren't triggered, do I have that correct?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
I Shop-Vacced mined and then cleaned the bilge. The water down there is from the shaft gland leakage. 5-6 small drips per minute while stationary. Once in awhile, I'll drop an absorbant pad edge down there to make sure there is no oil or fuel down there. Your set-up may be different.
 
OverTime said:
I Shop-Vacced mined and then cleaned the bilge. The water down there is from the shaft gland leakage. 5-6 small drips per minute while stationary. Once in awhile, I'll drop an absorbant pad edge down there to make sure there is no oil or fuel down there. Your set-up may be different.
Click to expand...
Thanks! A shop vac is a great idea.
 
Good sponge and a bucket!
 
I wound up pouring water in the bilge until the pump kicked on to confirm it worked and then I soaked up the rest with a big sponge. Glad to know that all works! Thanks for your help.
 
OverTime said:
I Shop-Vacced mined and then cleaned the bilge. The water down there is from the shaft gland leakage. 5-6 small drips per minute while stationary. Once in awhile, I'll drop an absorbant pad edge down there to make sure there is no oil or fuel down there. Your set-up may be different.
Click to expand...
So I'm brand new to Rangers (I'm just starting my research on possibly buying one) but the original poster has a R23; wouldn't that be an outboard an not likely to have a prop shaft to leak? (Assuming it's not one of the very, very few diesel R23). Or is there some other shaft in these things? I'm genuinely trying to learn more about these boats; certainly not trying to be a wise-ass.
 
BuddyS said:
So I'm brand new to Rangers (I'm just starting my research on possibly buying one) but the original poster has a R23; wouldn't that be an outboard an not likely to have a prop shaft to leak? (Assuming it's not one of the very, very few diesel R23). Or is there some other shaft in these things? I'm genuinely trying to learn more about these boats; certainly not trying to be a wise-ass.
Click to expand...
Yeah it’s an outboard so there’s no shaft seal. I haven’t seen where the water is coming from, but I assume it’s just from splashing while under way? I’m going to keep an eye on it. Fwiw it was less than a gallon over the course of 2 months or so.
 
Spencer2829 said:
Yeah it’s an outboard so there’s no shaft seal. I haven’t seen where the water is coming from, but I assume it’s just from splashing while under way? I’m going to keep an eye on it. Fwiw it was less than a gallon over the course of 2 months or so.
Click to expand...
A little water will make its way into the bilge when washing down the cockpit. Or a torrential downpour. Not very much but enough to be noticeable
 
Based on my experience, it is pretty much unavoidable to have some water in the bilge. Some may leak from various seals, but that’s probably not the majority. That’s really the one source to be worried about, and on an outboard, like several people said, it’s not as likely. You do still have through hull seacocks that pull in water for the raw water systems (on an R-23 that’s toilets, raw water wash down, and the A/C if equipped with it). Those may leak a bit, but some of it is also just condensation. There’s also water coming from above, when you wash down the deck, rain water, sea water splashing, etc. It’s all totally normal and nothing to worry about unless one of two things happen.

1. If your bilge pumps run very frequently, or constantly, you have a problem. They should kick on every 2.5 minutes to check for water and usually stop running when they don’t find enough. If you find them running frequently or for longer periods, that’s a problem.
2. If your bilge pumps don’t run at all and there is water part way or all the way up on them, then they are defective and must be replaced. All the new Ranger Tugs come with at least one spare bilge pump, but they are easy to find at any marine parts store.

You are also right that the switches at the helm are to force the pumps to come on. You should rarely if ever have to use them unless you just want to test them.

In other words, what you’re seeing is probably unavoidable and completely normal.
 
BuddyS said:
So I'm brand new to Rangers (I'm just starting my research on possibly buying one) but the original poster has a R23; wouldn't that be an outboard an not likely to have a prop shaft to leak? (Assuming it's not one of the very, very few diesel R23). Or is there some other shaft in these things? I'm genuinely trying to learn more about these boats; certainly not trying to be a wise-ass.
Click to expand...
If you are trying to learn about these, check out Channel Surfing’s video on picking a tug:
and the article series I wrote up on it: https://www.outofoffice.living/2026/03/finding-best-ranger-tug-for-you.html. You may find something helpful there!
 
I have a super soaker water gun. It works great to suck out water from the bilge and for fun when you want to have a water fight.
 
Caution: No Wet dry vacuum in bllge. Vac motor may not be spark proof…..If gas or gasoline present potential big trouble!
Stay safe folks.
 
Jesperjo said:
Based on my experience, it is pretty much unavoidable to have some water in the bilge. Some may leak from various seals, but that’s probably not the majority. That’s really the one source to be worried about, and on an outboard, like several people said, it’s not as likely. You do still have through hull seacocks that pull in water for the raw water systems (on an R-23 that’s toilets, raw water wash down, and the A/C if equipped with it). Those may leak a bit, but some of it is also just condensation. There’s also water coming from above, when you wash down the deck, rain water, sea water splashing, etc. It’s all totally normal and nothing to worry about unless one of two things happen.

1. If your bilge pumps run very frequently, or constantly, you have a problem. They should kick on every 2.5 minutes to check for water and usually stop running when they don’t find enough. If you find them running frequently or for longer periods, that’s a problem.
2. If your bilge pumps don’t run at all and there is water part way or all the way up on them, then they are defective and must be replaced. All the new Ranger Tugs come with at least one spare bilge pump, but they are easy to find at any marine parts store.

You are also right that the switches at the helm are to force the pumps to come on. You should rarely if ever have to use them unless you just want to test them.

In other words, what you’re seeing is probably unavoidable and completely normal.
Click to expand...
Thanks a bunch for that! Very helpful.
 
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