water in bow

Discussion of AC's, plumbing and sanitation related issues.
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RWS
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water in bow

Post by RWS »

I have a 1987 3706 aft cabin. the bow haul seems to always have a few inches of water in it. My shower box pump sits the middle of this canal and the auto belie pump is under the galley steps closer to the center of the boat. I can see how when running not on plane with nose up how the water could flow back to the auto pump. Do must find water in this location and what can be done to reduce it or laminate it?


Thank you for your help ,
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Re: water in bow

Post by Viper »

Have you ruled out rain water coming through the anchor rope locker. If it drains into the bilge instead of overboard, that is a possible source. There are several possibilities though ranging from a water system leak, through hull fitting, discharge hose, air conditioner condensate, etc. etc.

When you’re on board, and you are using your on board water from your tank, do you hear your water pump click on for a second even though you’re not running any water? If it kicks in periodically, you likely have a system leak or bad check valve.

When you vacuum out ALL the water, how long does it take to get to that level? Have you had rainy days? Does it happen with the water system shut off while you’re away on week days or only when you’re aboard? Take measures to narrow down when it’s happening. To do that, vacuum it all out first then go from there. I would do that last before you leave for the week and check as soon as you get back before you turn on the water system.
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Re: water in bow

Post by g36 »

There's some low profile pumps out there like this which would remove it.... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... 1Fs9SB8600
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Re: water in bow

Post by bobcinga »

Could it be coming from your anchor chain or line? Is the space dry, then wet after you haul up your anchor?
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Re: water in bow

Post by RWS »

Thanks for all the suggestions, they give me a list to start from. I don't think I have fresh water leak, I've had one of those and know the click on click off sure sign, plus I turn the fresh water pump off when not on board. I think my rope holes go into my anchor box, not positive but will check. If so it is possible they are letting water into anchor box which does have a drain hole out of boat. But I haven't check to see if the drain hole has got clogged with anchor mud again, it did once before. We have haven't been to the boat for 6 weeks when I noticed it. I've hand drained it before and it slowly comes back. We have had a lot more than normal rain this August here in east Tn and not running the boat has left it flat and not allowed water to flow to bilge pump . Seems like an odd location to have the pump so far towards the center of the boat but I guess when in motion it's a good place.
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Re: water in bow

Post by km1125 »

When your boat is on plane is the best time to hit the manual switch for that forward pump, as any water in there will run back to the pump. It may not be enough to trigger the float switch.

Could you have the shower sump overflowing?

On my 3607, the rode locker under the fwd berth drains into the bilge. Does yours really have an overboard drain? It could also drain into the shower sump (which is probably the perferred method), but on mine it goes directly to that forward bilge.
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Re: water in bow

Post by RWS »

After looking into this I have come to this conclusion, My forward shower pump has had both the forward and salon AC drain lines plumbed into it. I have a drain hose that is just laying there with an open end by my shower box and goes forward to what I think is thur hole, I'm thinking it was the the salon AC drain originally, Is it possible that water is splashing through the thur hole when I'm hitting certain wave heights. Also where did the former forward drain line go? Does anyone know where the thur holes are for the salon ac and forward AC's are for a 1987, 3607?
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Re: water in bow

Post by chpsk8 »

I don’t think your through hull would produce the amount of water you are finding.
Are you sure the shower bilge pump is working?
One thing to check is the hose between the water tank and the pump. If that has a defect it won’t kick the water pump on, but will still leak.
I’m assuming you have an aft, mid and forward bilge pump. Have you found any water in the mid bilge? That water would move to the forward bilge under the right circumstances.
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Re: water in bow

Post by RWS »

I will check the water line before the pump, it's a small amount of water .
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Re: water in bow

Post by Cooler »

Sounds to me like your sump box pump is not working and that condensate is overflowing out of the box. Check the float first to see if that burned out or is not low profile enough to turn the pump on. You need the flat profile Atwood float to stay under the hair filter. If the float is OK, then check the pump. Those AC units generate a lot of condensation in Cool setting. 8-) er
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