Question about rain water and where it goes. Bilge pump questions

[NewBoater]

Fellas I'm trying to figure all this out so any help is appreciated.

It's raining cats and dogs and the Boat is normally in the boatel when it rains as I normally get it out during nice weather. It will be at my My house docked for another 24 hours and even more rain in the forecast.

So when It rains a lot where does all that rain go in the boat? There is a hole by the engine hatch and if you open the hatch its a white tube that takes that water somewhere out the back of the boat. Is that the water (rain water) that drains by the jet l nozzles when I open the drain plug when cleaning the boat?

Bilge pump gets rid of the water in the engine compartment only correct? I noticed a minute ago when I went out to the boat that the engine compartment has a little
Water in it also and I'm guessing it's from all
This rain so not sure how it got in there as there wasn't any water in there this morning.

Someone please help and explain all this stuff to a newbie and it would be much appreciated.

Yesterday when I started the boat water sprayed out the holes on the side of the boat and I can't remember it doing that before. Is that engine water coming from bilge pump being on?

With lots of rain for 24 hours do I need to be worried about the boat taking on too much water without a cover on?

Should I run the bilge with the boat not running? To empty the water out of that engine compartment?

Thanks in advance for the info!

 

[Bruce]

Most rain that falls into the boat will drain out through the scupper valve that is attached to that white hose that runs through the engine compartment.

If the boat is in the water the bilge pump should be on. This is a safety factor. If something was forgotten or damaged the water pumping out the side will serve as an indicator of the problem and help keep the bilge dry.

The small holes on the side are indicators to show the cooling system has water flow. The large hole is for the bilge pump.

 

[NewBoater]

So all day and night that bilge pump should be on and the battery will be ok with that? Even if I'm not gonna drive it for 24 hours just let it sit out there with the bilge on 24/7? Just want to make sure. Thanks!

Also does that scupper one that catches all rain water drain out somewhere as its raining or is that scupper attached to the drain plug I pull when I clean the boat and it all just sits in there from the rain till the plug is pulled?

 

[Bruce]

The bilge pump checks for water every few minutes. If it is not finding water to pump you should have plenty of battery for 3 or more days of sitting in the water with the pump on. If something leaks and it is pumping it could run the battery down but it will slow the swamping of your boat so you want it on. Many of us use solar chargers or on board shore power chargers to offset the bilge pump's draw.

The scupper valve is a one way port that the water drains out of the boat through.

The drain plug drains the bilge.

 

[NewBoater]

So the scupper rain water goes out the back when boat is in water?

 

[Bruce]

So the scupper rain water goes out the back when boat is in water?

Yes

 

[NewBoater]

10-4 thanks. Learn something new every day. I appreciate your help and always quick responses.

So is it normal for a hard rain for there to be water in the engine compartment also? How does the water get in there? Never seen water in there before.

 

[2nazt]

It can leak in from around the seals and hatch access. Wouldn't worry to much. Plus check the ski locker when you get in the boat as it will have water in it most likely, unless your plug was pulled out of ski locker. And pull your fuel compartment plug if you usually don't as water is possibly in that area too. I would check ski locker before driving boat as it can catch a lot of water in it.

 

[Bruce]

The engine compartment is part of the bilge. Water that does not go out through the floor drain and scupper valve makes its way into the bilge. So you will have water in there. The bilge pump will pump it out once it reaches a sufficient volume.

 

[NewBoater]

Thanks fellas

 

[KyleWade14]

What I'm wondering is...assuming you bought the boat new since it's a '15...why wasn't any of that explained to you before you left with it from the dealership? That is all part of the walk thru they are supposed to do with you when you buy it.

 

[NewBoater]

What I'm wondering is...assuming you bought the boat new since it's a '15...why wasn't any of that explained to you before you left with it from the dealership? That is all part of the walk thru they are supposed to do with you when you buy it.

No clue on that one

 

[tdonoughue]

There are a couple of ways that rain can get to the bilge, but none enough to worry about. For example, the cup holders have a little hole in the bottom to drain them. They are usually not even plumbed below. They just dump to the compartment below, which leads to the bilge. In all but the heaviest of rains, what gets in that way will probably evaporate before you see it at the pump.

Two other handy facts for you: 1) the system with the drain and the scupper is called 'self-bailing'. All modern boats of a certain size are required to have such a system. Also handy to realize if you ever take a wave. Don't stop, as that makes the front of the boat dip--and the water run away from your drain. But don't panic as it will drain. 2) your boat cannot sink. There is foam and other floatable so the boat cannot sink all the way. You can fill it with water to the bottom of the dash or so, which may flood the engines, wreck the electrical, cause all sorts of damage, etc. And I guess you could capsize it in theory (never saw that reported), but through all of that the boat would remain on the surface.

 

[mraz72]

I wet slip my boat and the bildge is ALWAYS on. It's been on for 2 years now.

I did burn out the switch light, dealer is going to replace after this season. I don't charge my battery at the dock and I've never had a problem with a low battery.

 

[soggyshoes]

I will add that I have the Yamaha cover for my boat and it does an impressive job of keeping my boat dry. I am in Oregon so it gets rained on a lot!

 

[Eric Ballard]

@trashygasman when I bought my boat they did not explain any of the drains to me and I took it out and later found the ski locker and engine locker drains open AND I did not even know they where there (which is some of my fault). In my case the issue was that a silicone seal around the transducer wire was not sealed properly and quite a lot of water was getting in - so much so that the ski locker was half full and the engine compartment also had A LOT of water too. To add to this I did not know the bilge needed to be on in when the boat was in the water (also somewhat my fault). This was my first boat ever and it was a crash course in boating basics.....

I know a lot more than I did 3 weeks ago, but I really wish my dealer had taken the time to assume I didn't know everything or at least ask if I did or did not need the full walk thorough..... Live and learn.

I post this here so new boat owners can learn from my experience....

 

[Chip F.]

Do you guys usually keep both the start and house batteries on or only the house for powering the bilge pump?

 

[Sotally Tober]

If your boat is outside on the trailer, make sure you crank the jack as far up as it will go. This will cause an angle and make it easier for the water to flow out.

 

[Gym]

Do you guys usually keep both the start and house batteries on or only the house for powering the bilge pump?

That's a good question @Chip F. If you're wet slipping and have no shore power or solar charger I would leave them combined as I would rather have 2 dead batteries (at the slip) than the possibility of a swamped boat. The other thing you can do is replace your current bilge pump with an automatic or float pump that only goes on if there is water and wire that direct to the battery. Your current OEM pump is designed to turn on every few minutes looking for water and will run a battery down in 4 to 5 days or sooner if there is water to pump. Also, go buy a small battery jumper box for your boat. It's great if your batteries die or to assist another boater. You can also use it in your truck during the off season.

 

[Patriot]

We came off the lake the other night due to thunderstorms. Didn't put covers on boat. Just left it on the lift. Rained hard over night. Never had a self bailing boat before and was amazed the next morning to find no water in ski locker or bilge. Had batteries off also. Love it.