Water always in bilge

[skiphoyt]

Not sure if this consistent with all Cutwaters and Tugs but my 2020 C24 always has about 6 gals of water in the bilge unless I ‘shop vac’ it dry. The bilge pump is mounted about 5” above the base. It is rain water and after a few days it is damp and moldy smelling. Is there a reason for this high mount? Thx

 

[Headlee]

I have a C28 and the pump is mounted at the lowest point in the bilge. It doesn't pump every last drop and I have a about a cup or two or water down there, but the concept of the bilge pump to get the water out. Could be a flaw in the mounting of the pump. Unless someone from Cutwater advises differently, I would attempt to remount the pump at the lowest practicable point in the bilge. At 8.3 pounds per gallon, you are carrying nearly 50 extra pounds of weight.

 

[Remedy2]

I have a C28 and the pump is mounted at the lowest point in the bilge. It doesn't pump every last drop and I have a about a cup or two or water down there, but the concept of the bilge pump to get the water out. Could be a flaw in the mounting of the pump. Unless someone from Cutwater advises differently, I would attempt to remount the pump at the lowest practicable point in the bilge. At 8.3 pounds per gallon, you are carrying nearly 50 extra pounds of weight.

Same issue here...reached out to the factory and will advise.

 

[Kevin Lamont]

Not sure if this consistent with all Cutwaters and Tugs but my 2020 C24 always has about 6 gals of water in the bilge unless I ‘shop vac’ it dry. The bilge pump is mounted about 5” above the base. It is rain water and after a few days it is damp and moldy smelling. Is there a reason for this high mount? Thx

Hello,

Are you saying after it rains you have 6 gallons of water in the bilge?? Does the boat stay in the water, on a lift or on the trailer? You can email me direct for a quicker response, it is in my signature below.

Thanks,
Kevin Lamont

 

[skiphoyt]

I can answer that for you! The reason that the pump sits a little high is so debris doesn't get sucked into it. The pumps work off of the impeller resistance. During its cycling, if it senses some sort of resistance it will begin to run until the resistance is gone. If the impeller is seized (like for example if some debris got caught in the impeller), the pump will send a jolt of voltage; blowing the fuse instead of damaging the pump. Then you can remove the pump from the base, rinse it out, and insert a new fuse.

If you are getting constant water with light rain, I would check to make sure the hatch gaskets are lined up with the waterways and the scupper drain fittings aren't leaking. I always see some sort of drip during a good wash or if your scupper drains are clogged with debris.

Marco Arias | Customer Service

 

[skiphoyt]

Marco is dead on with the clogged scuppers. Cleaned debris out yesterday before our 3+ inch rain fall today. Just checked bilge and it is bone dry! First time since I can remember. Boat is in a wet slip and not covered. Thanks, Marco!

 

[Remedy2]

I can answer that for you! The reason that the pump sits a little high is so debris doesn't get sucked into it. The pumps work off of the impeller resistance. During its cycling, if it senses some sort of resistance it will begin to run until the resistance is gone. If the impeller is seized (like for example if some debris got caught in the impeller), the pump will send a jolt of voltage; blowing the fuse instead of damaging the pump. Then you can remove the pump from the base, rinse it out, and insert a new fuse.

If you are getting constant water with light rain, I would check to make sure the hatch gaskets are lined up with the waterways and the scupper drain fittings aren't leaking. I always see some sort of drip during a good wash or if your scupper drains are clogged with debris.

Marco Arias | Customer Service

Thanks so much Marco and great info! Follow up question: How do you recommend cleaning the scuppers? The one on the aft starboard is definitely clogged a little- slow to drain. FYI my boat is always in the water.

 

[skiphoyt]

I found that the port side scupper was not draining. Reached down found the flap was sealed shut with some small barnacles. Cleaned them off and used a hose with high pressure in the cockpit drain and all is well. You can reach the scupper drain by laying on the swim platform and reaching for it.

 

[BB marine]

It's a good idea to keep all the deck drains clear, this will help keep the hatch troughs from over filling and draining in the bilge. I have to question the theory of having the pumps mounted 5" from the bottom of the bilge to prevent debris from getting in the impeller. First the mounting bracket is also the basket for the pump to be installed in. The basket's screen is designed to keep most floating objects from getting sucked into the pump housing and jam the impeller. What difference does it make if the debris is floating 1" off the bottom where the pump should be installed or 5" off the bottom? Bilge pump installations should be mounted at the lowest possible point in a bilge for the primary pump. The secondary pump if installed should be a minimum of 2" higher. If your pump is mounted 5" above the base how hard would it be to mount it lower?. Why have 5" of water in the boat and use a wet Vac to get rid of it. Let the bilge pump do what is is designed to do. Pump water out of the bilge.

 

[Remedy2]

It's a good idea to keep all the deck drains clear, this will help keep the hatch troughs from over filling and draining in the bilge. I have to question the theory of having the pumps mounted 5" from the bottom of the bilge to prevent debris from getting in the impeller. First the mounting bracket is also the basket for the pump to be installed in. The basket's screen is designed to keep most floating objects from getting sucked into the pump housing and jam the impeller. What difference does it make if the debris is floating 1" off the bottom where the pump should be installed or 5" off the bottom? Bilge pump installations should be mounted at the lowest possible point in a bilge for the primary pump. The secondary pump if installed should be a minimum of 2" higher. If your pump is mounted 5" above the base how hard would it be to mount it lower?. Why have 5" of water in the boat and use a wet Vac to get rid of it. Let the bilge pump do what is is designed to do. Pump water out of the bilge.

I was down at the marina today and made the decision that I'm going to relo it to the lowest point. Its super easy to access so if there is any debris I can quickly remove it.

 

[oceaneyes]

I just removed the white drain “screens” from my cockpit after reading this. Those things are high maintenance! Wouldn’t A self draining cockpit with scuppers make more sense?

After reading this post and a couple others, I’m curious if anyone has upgraded their bilge pumps on a C28 or similar? Are two 750gph (or 1000 gph if upgraded inserts) enough? I was thinking 2000gph primary at the lowest location (keel) and 3700 for the backup under the engine. Can’t imagine that’s fun to access and replace.

After a quick search it looks like a rule 2000gph uses a 1 1/8” hose. I think we have 3/4”, correct? Does this mean I have to increase the t-hull and hose?

And, lastly, this is what I saw this morning so bilge pumps are on my mind:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/115146200 ... ent_filter

 

[SLyle01]

Dealer recommended removing all the white scupper screens. We still get clogged scuppers, end up carrying ~5gals. in the bilge most of the time ('self-testing bilge pumps' do not get the job done). Need a hand-pump/cups to drain the bilge.

Finally used a 4' length of 1/2" clear vinyl tubing, cut tip to a sharp angle, and shoved it down each scupper-drain. I twisted/pushed it down until it stopped at the blockage, then suctioned the tube up and blew down until I could see fluid coming (mud and all) then BLEW hard. After 3-4 cycles, water finally came up 'clear' -and scuppers drained quickly.
BUT had to manually turn ON the Aft bilge pump to get most of the water overboard...but the scuppers seem to clog after every heavy rain. Aft bilge pump location (5" above bottom of the bilge) does seem to be the MAIN problem.
NOTE: Turning ON the bilge pump when fully on PLANE, using engine tilt UP or trim-tabs BOW UP, forces Bow higher and bilge water farthest aft. Works well!
CAUTION: Do not raise the bow too far or boat may become hard to steer and 'porpoise'!