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Author Topic:   21 CONQUEST--Bilge Water in Floor of Cabin

pete r posted 12-31-2012 03:46 AM ET (US)
I have a 21' Conquest. I'm not sure why bilge water is allowed to flow through to the cabin floor. One would have expected there had been a barrier at the face of the cabin wall to seal off any bilge ingress; instead, there is just a poly-board of sort which actually has a 1-1/2" hole and allows water to flood the cabin floor. Strange.
Jefecinco posted 12-31-2012 09:41 AM ET (US)
Is there an operational forward bilge pump? Given enough depth of water forward it will overcome any dam except for a waterproof bulkhead.
Butch
jimh posted 12-31-2012 09:45 AM ET (US)
Boston Whaler boats really do not have open bilge spaces. This water you are describing as flowing into the cabin must be coming from a rigging tunnel.
Mambo Minnow posted 12-31-2012 06:39 PM ET (US)
There is a 1 inch garboard plug for the hole in the aft bulkhead under the step down into the cabin. Without it, bilge water can shift forward into the cabin floor. Ask me how I know!
pete r posted 12-31-2012 07:49 PM ET (US)
Yes there is a polyboard bulkhead with a drainage hole which I could find a plug for, but I think I will also need to run a line of silicone around the the edge of the bulkhead where it meets the shell of the boat if I was to have a dry cabin floor.
Mambo, how do you know?
Mambo Minnow posted 12-31-2012 09:07 PM ET (US)
I have the same boat and had same problem when first bought. I added the missing plug and caulked the bulkhead, problem solved.
There is also a bad seam line under the rear starboard quarter seat, where rain water can puddle near the electrical distribution in the bilge area.
pete r posted 12-31-2012 10:29 PM ET (US)
Thanks, that makes sense.
The next issue is the hatch in the outboard motor well. The seal on that is not very effective and is leaking when I spray water over it.

There is also the problem when I fully tilt the motor, I notice there is a bit of a fuel and oil leak from the motor and it drips onto the hatch, I guess this will also find it's way into the bilge.
I have for the moment wrapped some teflon plumbing tape around the hatch until I can find a suitable rubber seal.
pete r posted 12-31-2012 10:50 PM ET (US)
Just to keep you guys informed. I will now have to down tools on the whaler because for the the next two weeks we will be in Sydney for a sailing regatta which my twins boys are participating in.
Dad gets the job of helping them pack and then tow one of the clubs 30' Dragon up there for them. I think the boat and trailer weigh about 2 ton. We leave about 5.00am tomorrow.
In the mean time I shall enjoy reading your comments on my new Ipad (Christmas present)and will be in touch once we get settled.
wezie posted 01-06-2013 10:47 AM ET (US)
Fair winds and great sailing in Sydney. Your dedication to your sons is commendable.
I have never been on one, but the Dradon always looks elegant.
"A Proper Sailboat".
Oh, and no parential yelling at officials! It will not help.
Good Luck.
pete r posted 01-12-2013 06:31 AM ET (US)
Thanks Wezie,
We have arrived home stuffed however we still have our heads in the clouds after my boys managed to claim 18th position out of 21 boats in the regatta.
This is their first senior regatta and they were up against guys who have been Olympic and world champions and some were ex America cup sailors.
At the end of racing it was great to see many of the other crews take our boys under their wing to welcome them to the class and offer them advise and encouragement. One guy donated his old sails (nearly new by our standards).
Tomorrow the boys will unpack the boats and most likely discuss practising newly learnt tactics. I will then get back to my Whaler.
retired posted 01-15-2013 06:20 PM ET (US)
I had the same experience with my 21' 98 conquest.
The bilge access from the splash well leaked like a sieve. It leaked badly around the trim,and also the removable cover plate has warped and let's water pour into the bilge. That is a very poor design. I removed everything and took a piece of starboard and routered it to size, applied a gasket and screwed it in place using the existing holes - no more leaks.
The second leak, under the starboard transom seat, the water leaks from the fishbox into the bilge. I guess after 15 years it needs to be recaulked.
I have never had enough water in the bilge for it to end up on the cuddy floor. Thanks for the heads up, I will attend to that.
pete r posted 01-16-2013 06:18 AM ET (US)
Thanks retired, I guessed there was something wrong with the seal design. I think I might just lay a piece of rubber mat over the motor well hatch to stop the leak for now or until I can find a good gasket.
I shall keep a look out for leaks around the starboard seat.

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Author	Topic: 21 CONQUEST--Bilge Water in Floor of Cabin
pete r	posted 12-31-2012 03:46 AM ET (US) I have a 21' Conquest. I'm not sure why bilge water is allowed to flow through to the cabin floor. One would have expected there had been a barrier at the face of the cabin wall to seal off any bilge ingress; instead, there is just a poly-board of sort which actually has a 1-1/2" hole and allows water to flood the cabin floor. Strange.
Jefecinco	posted 12-31-2012 09:41 AM ET (US) Is there an operational forward bilge pump? Given enough depth of water forward it will overcome any dam except for a waterproof bulkhead. Butch
jimh	posted 12-31-2012 09:45 AM ET (US) Boston Whaler boats really do not have open bilge spaces. This water you are describing as flowing into the cabin must be coming from a rigging tunnel.
Mambo Minnow	posted 12-31-2012 06:39 PM ET (US) There is a 1 inch garboard plug for the hole in the aft bulkhead under the step down into the cabin. Without it, bilge water can shift forward into the cabin floor. Ask me how I know!
pete r	posted 12-31-2012 07:49 PM ET (US) Yes there is a polyboard bulkhead with a drainage hole which I could find a plug for, but I think I will also need to run a line of silicone around the the edge of the bulkhead where it meets the shell of the boat if I was to have a dry cabin floor. Mambo, how do you know?
Mambo Minnow	posted 12-31-2012 09:07 PM ET (US) I have the same boat and had same problem when first bought. I added the missing plug and caulked the bulkhead, problem solved. There is also a bad seam line under the rear starboard quarter seat, where rain water can puddle near the electrical distribution in the bilge area.
pete r	posted 12-31-2012 10:29 PM ET (US) Thanks, that makes sense. The next issue is the hatch in the outboard motor well. The seal on that is not very effective and is leaking when I spray water over it. There is also the problem when I fully tilt the motor, I notice there is a bit of a fuel and oil leak from the motor and it drips onto the hatch, I guess this will also find it's way into the bilge. I have for the moment wrapped some teflon plumbing tape around the hatch until I can find a suitable rubber seal.
pete r	posted 12-31-2012 10:50 PM ET (US) Just to keep you guys informed. I will now have to down tools on the whaler because for the the next two weeks we will be in Sydney for a sailing regatta which my twins boys are participating in. Dad gets the job of helping them pack and then tow one of the clubs 30' Dragon up there for them. I think the boat and trailer weigh about 2 ton. We leave about 5.00am tomorrow. In the mean time I shall enjoy reading your comments on my new Ipad (Christmas present)and will be in touch once we get settled.
wezie	posted 01-06-2013 10:47 AM ET (US) Fair winds and great sailing in Sydney. Your dedication to your sons is commendable. I have never been on one, but the Dradon always looks elegant. "A Proper Sailboat". Oh, and no parential yelling at officials! It will not help. Good Luck.
pete r	posted 01-12-2013 06:31 AM ET (US) Thanks Wezie, We have arrived home stuffed however we still have our heads in the clouds after my boys managed to claim 18th position out of 21 boats in the regatta. This is their first senior regatta and they were up against guys who have been Olympic and world champions and some were ex America cup sailors. At the end of racing it was great to see many of the other crews take our boys under their wing to welcome them to the class and offer them advise and encouragement. One guy donated his old sails (nearly new by our standards). Tomorrow the boys will unpack the boats and most likely discuss practising newly learnt tactics. I will then get back to my Whaler.
retired	posted 01-15-2013 06:20 PM ET (US) I had the same experience with my 21' 98 conquest. The bilge access from the splash well leaked like a sieve. It leaked badly around the trim,and also the removable cover plate has warped and let's water pour into the bilge. That is a very poor design. I removed everything and took a piece of starboard and routered it to size, applied a gasket and screwed it in place using the existing holes - no more leaks. The second leak, under the starboard transom seat, the water leaks from the fishbox into the bilge. I guess after 15 years it needs to be recaulked. I have never had enough water in the bilge for it to end up on the cuddy floor. Thanks for the heads up, I will attend to that.
pete r	posted 01-16-2013 06:18 AM ET (US) Thanks retired, I guessed there was something wrong with the seal design. I think I might just lay a piece of rubber mat over the motor well hatch to stop the leak for now or until I can find a good gasket. I shall keep a look out for leaks around the starboard seat.