Outboard Engines Pod

[Rocky Lou]

I have questions about the engine pod. I’ve read most of the threads on Tugnuts, but, don't see the answers I'm looking for.

My 2019 C302 has a drain in the center of the pod and, when I’m trolling in the ocean and water runs across the pod, the bilge pump is pumping often. The pump is not operating when I’m in the dock nor when running at higher speeds. When I remove one of the pie hole covers, I see only a small amount of water in the pod. In all, things seem to be working normally.

However, I am still wondering:
- Why is there a drain at all? My Grady Whites had sealed Grady Drives that did not take on any water. That would be desirable since any water adds weight to a hull that is already extremely stern heavy.

- Are there any factory bulletins or best practices that I should be aware of? Kindly advise.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

Water shouldn’t be getting into the pod as a normal course of operation. The only way water gets into my pod (R-23) is through through the rigging fitting, which is not fully watertight.

I’ve also seen water in there after backing down hard. My guess there was that it came through the bilge pump through-hull.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BB marine]

Do you have the Armstrong Watertight Compression Deck Plate ? These plates are used with the Armstrong Brackets to provide access for mounting the bracket to the hull and inspection. Cutwater/Ranger Tug started using these plates replacing the plastic plates. The original deck plates used by Cutwater and Ranger Tugs where the plastic beckson plate design that could leak if the top of the pod had water on it. The other items I would look at is the deck drain hoses and clamps and make sure that the bilge pump has a check valve installed so that water can not back up the hose and fill the bilge.


viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10543&start=15&hilit=armstrong

 

[Rocky Lou]

Thanks for suggestions. The CW C302 does not have Armstrong Compression Deck Plates and a different brand from what I can tell. Unfortunately, you still can't post pix on Tugnuts any longer, at least I can't. However, there are pix here in the photo gallery https://www.boatdealers.ca/boat-reviews/2019/cutwater/c-302-coupe .

There are three standard plastic (screw in) deck plates. I accessed all three when I changed a broken bilge pump and it's possible that not all of them are well sealed. I'll also check that the drain, in the center top of the pod, is draining well and not into the pod. I presume this drain is there in case water comes into the well (where engine control wires run). It just seemed strange to have a drain at all in that place.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

Every low spot on a boat needs to drain somewhere. Standing water is a bad thing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[BB marine]

If you have the plastic Beckson screw in plates I would give Fluid Motion a call and replace them with the Armstrong plates. The plastic plates are not a good plate for the application on your boat IMO. I believe that is why Fluid Motion is not using them any more.

"For any 23 or 302 owners, please feel free to reach out to your dealer you purchased the boat from and ask them to contact our warranty department. They can fill out a parts request and we will send you them free of charge."

 

[Rocky Lou]

If you have the plastic Beckson screw in plates I would give Fluid Motion a call and replace them with the Armstrong plates. The plastic plates are not a good plate for the application on your boat IMO. I believe that is why Fluid Motion is not using them any more.

"For any 23 or 302 owners, please feel free to reach out to your dealer you purchased the boat from and ask them to contact our warranty department. They can fill out a parts request and we will send you them free of charge."

Interesting, I'm checking on that now and was already looking at Armstrong. It wasn't clear to me if replacement is a simple 'remove and seal' or if there are other challenges.