The bow thruster on my 2025 Solara S250 CW stopped working. Upon investigation I found water in the compartment that separates the bow thruster from the cabin. (See pictures labeled Thruster Compartment-Approach and Thruster Compartment – Top View). The water was well over the thruster tunnel and had likely spilled into the cabin given the water in the forward bilge. This led to corrosion of the connector. I’ve fixed the bow thruster, but now have questions and concerns about the water in the compartment
I would expect there to be some kind of drain and in looking at the bulkhead that separates the compartment from the cabin it appears there is a drain pipe in the bottom of the thruster compartment. It looks to be partially blocked by fiberglass or something which may be part of the problem. I also suspect that the tube/pipe may be clogged as even with the exterior blockage I would expect water to drain. (See circled area in Thruster Compartment - from Bow2 and Thruster Compartment – From Port2)
I pumped the water from the compartment but now have an additional concern. It is the little holes along the bottom of the seam (marked with arrows). There seems to be an endless supply of water draining from these. My fear is that the water has seeped between the deck and the hull.
I guess my first question is whether there is a drain in this compartment and where it would drain to. Presumably the bilge. The lack of a drain would concern me and I’m wondering what options would make sense to create one. I believe the water enters the compartment when I’m spraying down the forward deck. If the drain is clogged what are my options (snaking?)
My second question is should I be concerned about the water coming from the holes. It suggests the water got in somewhere where it can't drain in another way and that sounds bad.
Thanks for your time in advance.
Cy Pauly
I would expect there to be some kind of drain and in looking at the bulkhead that separates the compartment from the cabin it appears there is a drain pipe in the bottom of the thruster compartment. It looks to be partially blocked by fiberglass or something which may be part of the problem. I also suspect that the tube/pipe may be clogged as even with the exterior blockage I would expect water to drain. (See circled area in Thruster Compartment - from Bow2 and Thruster Compartment – From Port2)
I pumped the water from the compartment but now have an additional concern. It is the little holes along the bottom of the seam (marked with arrows). There seems to be an endless supply of water draining from these. My fear is that the water has seeped between the deck and the hull.
I guess my first question is whether there is a drain in this compartment and where it would drain to. Presumably the bilge. The lack of a drain would concern me and I’m wondering what options would make sense to create one. I believe the water enters the compartment when I’m spraying down the forward deck. If the drain is clogged what are my options (snaking?)
My second question is should I be concerned about the water coming from the holes. It suggests the water got in somewhere where it can't drain in another way and that sounds bad.
Thanks for your time in advance.
Cy Pauly
