constant bilge water TE 31

[Mark Laurnen]

Hello. I am perplexed as to the origin of the ever present water in the midship bilge of my 31 TE. Whenever I have dried it completely, new water has returned to the space by my next visit, not a lot, perhaps a half inch to an inch only on the centerline. I have not checked to see if it is salt or fresh, but I assume fresh as I always leave the boat with all through hulls closed. The boat is under cover so I suspect it is likely leaking from my freshwater system, when it is not pressurized. The tank level does not noticeably drop per the monitor gauge, so I don't think it is a major leak masked by the bilge pump. Has anyone else tackled this problem? Where should I look first? Any, and all, advice is appreciated. Thank you.

[REBMystic]

Hey Mark. So when you say undercover, are you in the water, in a covered slip? Unfortunately, I did not have an answer for you, but I am on the same journey to try to get a dry-ish bilge. I am starting my 3rd year with my 31TE. here's what I know. When uncovered, on my mooring, I get rainwater in. I expect most of it is from the cockpit (eg fishing rod holders, hatch latch drips, etc. Taste test has told me fresh water. When floating at rest, the low point of the bilge is the mid bilge. I also get some water in the side bilge under the helm. Very annoying. (there is another thread on this) I think I might have a stanchion base leak. This will take some investigating.

[Mark Laurnen]

Thanks for reaching out Rob. Yes, it is in the water at a covered slip. I know that when uncovered, the latches at the cockpit hatches do leak. I sealed the edges of the inset boxes, but still get a little water in them. I did put caps on the bottom of the gunnel rod holders, and these have drain tubes I diverted back into the cockpit via the horizontal rod holder openings. Initially I thought that I was overfilling the water tank and leaking from the filler hose, but the leaking goes on even after the tank levels have dropped to half full so not from the filler. Perhaps I have a leak low in the tank, or some other fitting, but it doesn’t seem like a big leak. You are brace to have taste tested yours, I don’t think I want to taste mine. I think I might add a low water pick up to the manual bilge pump, at least then I can get it neatly dry when I go aboard. I read about the collection under the helm, but have not experienced that myself.

[REBMystic]

Thanks for reaching out Rob. Yes, it is in the water at a covered slip. I know that when uncovered, the latches at the cockpit hatches do leak. I sealed the edges of the inset boxes, but still get a little water in them. I did put caps on the bottom of the gunnel rod holders, and these have drain tubes I diverted back into the cockpit via the horizontal rod holder openings. Initially I thought that I was overfilling the water tank and leaking from the filler hose, but the leaking goes on even after the tank levels have dropped to half full so not from the filler. Perhaps I have a leak low in the tank, or some other fitting, but it doesn’t seem like a big leak. You are brace to have taste tested yours, I don’t think I want to taste mine. I think I might add a low water pick up to the manual bilge pump, at least then I can get it neatly dry when I go aboard. I read about the collection under the helm, but have not experienced that myself.

You are well ahead of me on the dry bilge mission!! I need to get to that level. For me - my cabin / fwd bilge area is pretty segregated from mid / aft bilge areas. So water that had leaked from my hot water heater (the pressure relief valve leaked), has always stayed up forward. Same when I was messing with some piping from the FW tank. I have the additional problem of a bit of water that is pink - which should be engine hot water circuit to the HW heater - but I can find it! Connects to the tank seem good. Anyhow - sorry to go on about my problems.

Good luck finding the culprit. please share what you learn.

[Jkraft]

When you leave the boat I assume you turn your fresh water pump off, right? When you get on board and turn it on, do you hear it cycle? If so, there is a leak somewhere. Get down there with a flashlight and start looking if so. Pay special attention to the elbows and fittings. The transom shower is always a leak waiting to happen also. When I have an issue, it’s usually right there.