Small amount of water in forward bilge

[dbsea]

While doing some spring cleaning this weekend, I noticed that there's a small amount of water (maybe a few oz) in the forward bilge, where the bow thruster is. Is this cause for any concern? How would water get in there?

 

[S. Todd]

My thoughts: How much spring cleaning did you do and where? Potential leaks could exist around forward rail bases, or cleats, or anchor locker. There are cases where the drain hose for the anchor locker has not been properly affixed or otherwise got disconnected. It is my understanding that the bilge itself is open from bow to stern with weep holes at various places. Thus, if the boat was sitting bow down while you were standing up front cleaning you could get water from the aft section to the forward sections. On our R29 I have found that it takes some effort (and passage of time) to get the water out of the full length of the bilge after draining the water heater before winterizing. If just a few ounces, could it be condensation on the cold fiberglass?

 

[dbsea]

Thanks S. Todd, this all makes sense. I was just wiping out the various cabinets and bilge areas. I think you're onto something with the water moving forward. I just had my heat exchanger scoped /serviced and when the anode was removed, quite a bit of water came with it even though the seacock was closed. Bilge pumps ran for a while, but I'm guessing this is how some water could have made its way forward, especially moving around the boat...

 

[RobMcClain]

In my C30 I’ve noticed there is often water up front. When I pull the flooring section in front of the head, where the shower sump is located, also in that area is the small divot where the depth transducer is glued to the hull. That divot hole is often topped with water surrounding the transducer, which I then suck it out with a turkey baster. Then after it rains or a I’ve washed down the boat the divot is full again. Haven’t yet been able to determine where the water is coming in. There is no leakage from the sink or shower, and none from the window ports, so it’s likely coming in from the anchor locker.

Rob

 

[EdHat]

What size is your boat,does it have a wiring harness for trailing. I had a similar problem on my R23. Didn’t order the boat with this option but they put the harness in anyway. The plug for the trailer is in the rode locker. They never put any sealer where the wire passes through. So the water runs off the deck into the hole inside cabin. It wet all of the cushions and put water in the area right by the bow thruster. Hope this will help as it took me awhile to figure out where all the water was coming from.

 

[KKRCRACE]

On my C24 I have had a small leak in that same place for a couple years. I have finally figured out that I have a leak where the bow thruster tube is glassed into the hull of the boat on the bottom side of the tube. It’s still under warranty and will be fixed next week.
KKRCRACE

 

[dbsea]

Thanks All. I think this is simply related to my heat exchanger servicing and all the water that came out of it. I will dry out all the bilges and monitor for the issues y'all have mentioned - worth keeping an eye on. My boat is a 2016 C30-CB for those asking.