Water in your Bilge?

[Sugardog]

Originally Posted by CaptSteve53

A few points to note going back to the issue of water in the bilge and to ponder on with any water in the bilge



1) More than one-third of sinking's happen when some small part, most often below the waterline, gave up its fight with the water due to age or fatigue or corrosion.

2 )Those sinking's might have been prevented with good maintenance,

3) From an insurance perspective, a boat is sinking if it must be actively pumped out to remain afloat and undamaged.

4) That above definition highlights two key issues. First, a sinking boat is not watertight. There is always a source of water that must be located and stopped to keep the boat floating.

5) The Second is that well-designed boats do not sink due to failed bilge pumps. A boat should stay afloat in the conditions for which it was designed without water having to be pumped out of it — even in heavy rain and big seas (relative to the size of the boat).

6) A bilge pump constantly/intermittently running merely postpone's a sinking until it fails, loses power, or is overwhelmed by the volume of water. Had someone fixed the leak in those days, weeks, or months, the boat would not become part of these sinking statistics.



Cheers Steve

I almost sank on a commercial fishing boat once, we had 40k of fish on board when a galley sink drain broke and the through hull was under water. With all the nets and fish there was no easy way to the galley and the scuppers were already under water. Finally went down the anchor locker and kick the water tight door in to berthing space. Closest I ever came to sinking.

[CaptSteve53]

Originally Posted by sunchaser

Capt Steve
The source and amount of the leak are relevant. Some vessels have leaking on board water tanks. Nuisance yes, hazardous no. Many have wooden boats that are not water tight to the Nth degree. Was recently on a very large 90 year old wooden work boat to yacht conversion where bilge pump cycles were a measured sign of health, for nearly a century.

I know of many vessels that have been sinking for their lifespan. Dry bilges on all boats is not attainable. On mine, a dry bilge is attainable thus a bell weather.

Basically totally in agreement being perhaps not attainable (especially with older wooden vessels)all though I believe we all would rather have dry bilges and i know for a fact the Insurance companies prefer it and question any of my reports should I note water in the bilge of any vessel, more and more I get questioned at length if any water is present,

I'm not to sure I would agree with a leaking wooden boat is a sign of health how ever and I know the Insurance company wouldn't at all , as per above it only takes the bilge pumps to fail un noticed , water rises , batteries go under , next thing you know it's a frightened man with a bucket,

And if you were half way to Hawaii from Seattle and those water tanks went dry then it would be an life threatening hazardous situation, so for me like with you Dry bilges in any argument mean a safer vessel,

Cheers Steve: