Water entering fuel area

[johhnyboat]

I was washing down the boat (new to me 242 limited s) and water just streams into the fuel area. I know there is a plug to let it into the bilge, but this just seems like poor design. Shouldn't this go through the scupper to be self bailing? I did some searching and haven't really seen answers to this problem except to say open the drain. I have, but I am planning on leaving this boat in the water and really down want extra gallons of water in the boat until I can pull it out of the water and take out the drain plug.
Has anyone successfully sealed this area?
I installed a second bilge pump in the actual bilge area but ALOT of water accumulates in these boats before the bilge kicks in EVEN at the lowest point.

 

[Babin Farms]

I have this issue with my AR230. My thought is that either the trough is overloaded or not at the right angle for use of the scupper. You can try to seal it up better with some weather stripping or similar product or just accept that water is going to get in there.

 

[mrcleanr6]

have you lifted the hatch off the fuel tank area? some are bolted down and others have latches. there is a foam rubber gasket/weather stripping that is supposed to be there to seal that hatch. be sure it is in place. unless the water is coming in the drain, if you have it open, i dont think there is any other way for a significant amount of water to get in there. different models may vary though.

 

[johhnyboat]

mine is bolted. I guess another project to add to the list...

 

[Julian]

I was washing down the boat (new to me 242 limited s) and water just streams into the fuel area. I know there is a plug to let it into the bilge, but this just seems like poor design. Shouldn't this go through the scupper to be self bailing? I did some searching and haven't really seen answers to this problem except to say open the drain. I have, but I am planning on leaving this boat in the water and really down want extra gallons of water in the boat until I can pull it out of the water and take out the drain plug.
Has anyone successfully sealed this area?
I installed a second bilge pump in the actual bilge area but ALOT of water accumulates in these boats before the bilge kicks in EVEN at the lowest point.

I'm confused....questions:
1) how do you know water is streaming into the "fuel area"?
2) Where do you think it is getting into the fuel area from?

 

[johhnyboat]

I'm confused....questions:
1) how do you know water is streaming into the "fuel area"?
2) Where do you think it is getting into the fuel area from?

As I am washing the deck down I can see it going into the seam where I was assuming seals would be. I have the bilge drain open so I know it is coming right through. Otherwise it would go out the scupper. If your wondering why I care, it's because I want all water that goes on the deck to go through the scupper and not to the bilge. Boats should really have very little water going to the bilge area.

 

[zipper]

On my 07 there are "gutters" around the ski locker hatch and the fuel tank hatch, connected, that lead to the scupper hose. Water IN the ski locker goes to the bilge as well as any water that gets in the fuel tank area when the plug is out. That plug dumps to the engine bay. Water seen entering around the hatch at a moderate rate will stay in the gutter if not plugged with crap.

 

[johhnyboat]

On my 07 there are "gutters" around the ski locker hatch and the fuel tank hatch that lead to the scupper hose. Water IN the ski locker goes to the bilge as well as any water that gets in the fuel tank area when the plug is out. That plug dumps to the engine bay. Water seen entering around the hatch at a moderate rate will stay in the gutter if not plugged with crap.

I'll have to look more thoroughly but unless I'm mistaken I don't think the water is going to a scupper, it is just draining out to the bilge.

 

[HangOutdoors]

As I am washing the deck down I can see it going into the seam where I was assuming seals would be. I have the bilge drain open so I know it is coming right through. Otherwise it would go out the scupper. If your wondering why I care, it's because I want all water that goes on the deck to go through the scupper and not to the bilge. Boats should really have very little water going to the bilge area.

Pull you hatch and take a look. I just had mine pulled and watched the water channel around.

Also are you sure water isn't going into the drain to scupper on the deck and that it isn't leaking then down into the bilge in the engine bay? Is your hose cracked or clamps loose? Just a thought

 

[johhnyboat]

no, I just replaced the scupper with a stainless and thoroughly tested it, it's not leaking. I'm going to pull the hatch when I get a chance to see what's going on.

 

[Julian]

Never looked at the gas tank edge.....since I've never been under there in 5 years....perhaps I'll put a thin bead of caulk down that edge?

 

[johhnyboat]

I'm going to pull it this week when I get a chance. I still have to put my upgraded Cobra fins on and do an Oil change and Spark plugs. The list keeps getting longer...

 

[mrcleanr6]

Well if all goes well then the bolts will come out without issue. They like to seize in the threads. If you get them out be sure to wire wheel them real good and either grease them or put never seize on the threads

 

[zipper]

Here is a picture of mine from a few years back when I replaced the seal. I was lucky and did not break any of my bolts. You can see the gutter, outside of the seal, leading to the scupper and connecting with the ski locker.

 

[johhnyboat]

Here is a picture of mine from a few years back when I replaced the seal. I was lucky and did not break any of my bolts. You can see the gutter, outside of the seal, leading to the scupper and connecting with the ski locker.

View attachment 150380

thanks for the visual! I will open it up to see if it is draining to the scupper or going past the seals.

 

[Bluewater272]

thanks for the visual! I will open it up to see if it is draining to the scupper or going past the seals.

Just plug your scupper with a rag and hose it down. We have basically the same boat, it looks like its going down around the hatch, but it funnels back to the scupper inlet.