Weep hole in stern thruster compartment

[Just Limin']

There must be something blocking this drain area. I've tried using a drain snake, but it's not bendable enough. I tried getting some water through, but no luck. Where would I see the water come through? I guess my next step is to use my garage portable compressor to shoot some air through the weep hole. Thoughts/suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Bill Eggert
Ranger 25 SC
Punta Gorda, Florida

 

[baz]

I've used a wire coat hanger stretched out to clear the weep hole.

 

[knotflying]

There have been occasions where this weep hole was never cleared at the factory and there is the foam filler still in there. A 14" (no longer than that) long bit, about 3/8 of and inch drilled through will clear it out. Make sure the bit you use is no larger than the diameter of the existing hole. Once you drill it out make sure it is clear by running water down into the cavity by the thruster and use a coat hanger in an out of the hole to remove any debris.

 

[downey]

On my R27 the weep hole is in the engine compartment on the starboard side about even with the back on the engine and was maybe 20 -24" long. You should see at least one other on the same side from the battery banks.
I used a fish to clean my out.

 

[knotflying]

There are actually 4 weep holes two on the port side and 2 on the Starboard side. They are located at the flat step and by the muffler.

 

[1Harrison]

We had a similar problem with our R25SC. HomeDepot sells a snake that is a little smaller than the diameter weep vein. It took a few passes followed by flushing water back up the weep veins and the problem was solved.

 

[Just Limin']

Sweep veins? Don't know what or where that is.....

 

[Just Limin']

Sweep veins? Don't know what or where that is.....

 

[Just Limin']

Sorry...weep veins

 

[hughesdave123]

Sweep veins? Don't know what or where that is.....

I'm guessing that these are the little holes in the engine room that the water will drain through to get to the most bottom part of the boat to the bilge pump.

I only know of the little holes because I found my boat after leaving for the week in the summer with a lot of rain . When I got to the boat that weekend I noticed it was sitting lower in the water and leaning to port side. I also notices that the guest room mattress was soaked with water.

you should definitely look at these once in a while , to make sure water is getting through them , mine were gunked up with leaves which clogged them and I had a good mess to clean up .

 

[holdendodge]

Yes water does reside in that compartment. The water shut down the stern thruster motor and it is now on the way to the dealer in New Bedford, MA for a repair or replace. Ten days of rain did the damage. The tech here said the weep holes clog, so a damn and another bilge pump in that compartment looks like a better answer than depending on weep holes that may or may not drain

 

[Scuffy]

I wonder about the possibility of making the weep holes a little larger and maybe epoxying in a stainless steel tube to prevent them from clogging so easily and making them easier to clean. It seems like the factory would want to have a pre delivery inspection that would include checking these weep hole drains before delivery. I mean if not for this owners group who would think that these drains would be clogged on a new boat. Nobodies perfect but these weep drains seems like something the factory ought to address if they have not already. Water should be allowed to build up in these areas and cause expensive failures JMHO

 

[knotflying]

I don't think it is necessarily what channels the water, but more the size of the channel. Additionally, on the thruster side the channel isn't even even with the floor so there tends to be an inch of water in there. The weep channel should be twice as large and flush with the floor it is supposed to be weeping. An actual decline from stern forward would even be better.