Water in bilge
 

I lifted up the hinged step going into the cabin
and found the forward bilge with about 6 inches of
water in it. It was not enough for the forward bilge
pump to come on though. I hand pumped about 20 gallons
of water out. Thinking that the hole was just clogged
with debris, I used a plumbers snake to try and unclog
it. The hole by the bilge pump was clear but I it didnt even feel like there was a hole in the next bilge area. I removed the 2
floor panels under the bolsters and found that the fuel tank
bilge was not accessible. I cant imagine that there is no bilge drain holes for the cabin bilge or is there not supposed to be one
and that is the reason for the forward bilge pump? The water was slimy so it had been in there well before I even took
delivery of the boat. Any help or comments are greatly appreciated as always.

Jeff

Chris,
I have looked in every access there is. All the stringer holes that are accessible are clear. The fuel tank bilge where the problem is, is only accessible thru the round bilge access holes but with the tank covering this whole area there is no way to get to where those stringer drain holes should be. My dealer is clueless, but thats nothing new. I am calling the factory tomorrow.
Jeff

I can relate.

There is no way for water to get out of the forward bilge on the 36 outlaw either, except for the forward pump.

It drove us absolutely crazy for about two months after we purchased the boat. Everytime we went to the lake there was a couple of gallons and we could not figure out where it was coming from. It cannot pass to the rear and exit the drain. When we would be trailering, you would be on an incline and see it coming out the side of the boat.

We then started having problems with our headliner. It started to discolor and then began to fall out at the seams.

Found out that the hatches were not dealed properly, and every time we washed the boat water entered, would run down the sides of the boat and into the forward bilge. All problems solved now, thank goodness.

It will drive you crazy though!!!!!

Hope this is not your problem.

From personal experience on the H2X, I can tell you that Baja sometimes neglects to drill all the proper drain holes for the cabin.
If you're talking to Frosty, he may not know of the problem, but when Lance was the maintenance super we had several serious discussions about whether or not Baja should pay for having the holes drilled.
In the end, they would not pay for it because I am the second owner. But in your case, it certainly seems they should.
Talk to Lance, and remind him of my problem with the H2X front bilge drain holes not being drilled.

I had the same problem with my H2x also.

my first boat was a H2x and the ice chest would not drain, they forgot to drill the hole, warranty took care of it[ice chest compartment molded in floor] then the front bilge motor was wired wrong, warranty again, I was under the idea that is why they put a front bilge pump in because there is no drain to the back, that is what the dealer told me.
Baja force places for water to get in are the hatches like stated above[most common] to pop up cleat drains off, to rub rail, and anchor compartment[if front mounted] also see if you have a starboard side drain mounted at the front of your boat, good luck

Thanks for the replies everyone,

This is a major design flaw if you ask me. I dont like the idea of 2 teaspoons of water standing in the bilge let alone 20 freaking gallons. Why would they install the bilge pump so high as to allow that much water to stand in there? If there was a way to remove the fuel tank, without cutting out the floor, I would drill a hole in the stringer myself. I did find out something interesting though, I have a 186 gallon fuel tank (according to the sticker on the tank) instead of the standard 145 gallon.
The anchor locker drain is drilled too high as to allow it to drain properly also. I will be adding a second.
Sorry to keep rambling on but I need to vent and convince myself that I did the right thing to buy another Baja instead of the Powerquest that I was looking at.

Jeff

Dude, you did the right thing!:D :D

hey what kind of Baja did you get? a few bugs to work out is no big deal, most boats have a few bugs in them from all boat builders

I think you did the right thing. Powerquest is a great boat also, but I have never seen a boat ship from any factory without some problems.

A buddy bought a new Fountain 38 Sport Cruiser with Yenmar diesels and surface drives. He had it for about three months when he noticed the bildge pumps where not pumping anything out?

On futher inspection, they discovered that they were hard plumbed and the pipe used had broke under vibration. The pumps were in fact running, just pumping back into the boat.

They had to pull both engines to make the repairs.

Unlike cars, boats are totally built with the human hand. I solved my problem in the forward bilge by adding a high volume pump with a hose in the very bottom. I can manually turn it on if needed and the stock pump is still there as a backup.

Good Luck

Dock,
Thats a great idea!
Jeff

Bajaforce,

I found out about the bigger tank at the gas pump. Went past the 145 gallon mark freaked out pulled the drain plug expecting gas to come pouring out, check the bilge. Couldn't't find a thing!! Finally got the yaaha'ss to open the engine hatch after about 1/2 hour of comptiplating what to do.

Frank

Check this out!

Fountain is suppose to be better than Baja or Powerquest, right?

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...threadid=49778

A year or so ago there was a long thead about standing water in the front bilge on Fountains.

A while back I boarded a "brand new" 35 Lightning at a boat show. I was wearing only my socks. I went down into the cabin. It took a second or two before I realized I was standing in an inch of water.

my 32 fountain drain for the cooler went into a stringer that just pooled the water. found by accident replacing the cooler. had to rerun the drain hose.

now i have to go look at my 36 and see if i have foward water.

My 33 holds water in the forward bilge too. I found out that there is no drain hole to the back , something to do with carbon monoxide getting into the cabin. I loosend the bilge pump and placed it as low as possible in the vee but it still holds some water.:mad: :mad: :mad: If anybody has a solution pass it on.:mad: :mad: :mad:

I have 25 Outlaw and it shoots water out of the side of it sometimes. It only happened when I kept it outside and it rained. How do you get to this area (forward bilge) in a 25 outlaw? I have never noticed my carpet being wet when this happened.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are 100% correct. That is what the dealer told me when we first had the problem and I forgot all about it.

They do that so fuel will not go forward in case of a leak and for carbon monoxide reasons.

I don't get much water at all now that our hatch leak problem was solved. There always seems to be just a little there that can be easily cleaned up with a towel. I think some of it comes from condensation off the air conditioner.

Dock,
What type of secondary pump did you add to your cabin bilge?
Manufacturer? Model?etc.
I havent been able to locate a bilge pump that you can hook a suction hose to.
Thanks again,
Jeff

I will have to check on it for you. I purchased it at Lowes Hardware. It is a REAL pump, 12 volt. They sell them at West Marine, but they have that additional Marine markup on them.

Think I paid around $75.00 for it.

It looks a lot like the pump that is mounted on top of the five gallon pals that pump out your engine oil.

Now that my water problem is solved, I will probably take it out and fine a better use for it.

I have a very short piece of hose in the bilge, and would use the hose off the original bilge pump for the exit.

It will pump like crazy!

Dock,
You're the man!

they also dont want bilge water getting under the aluminum fuel tank, it will corode it,

I have read the related postings in regards to the Baja H2X front bilge but noticed that the postings were somewhat older. Has anyone previously had luck with correcting the problem. I just purchased a 2002 H2X and had noticed a smell and the carpet seems to stay wet. I wasnt for certain what the problem was because it has rained on the boat just about everyday since i bought it. I have also stood in the cabin with the boat on the trailer and rocked the boat and you can hear some serious water moving around in it. The boat doesn't seem to take on hardly any water but as all y'all, would really like to correct this problem. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide

I have read the related postings in regards to the Baja H2X front bilge but noticed that the postings were somewhat older. Has anyone previously had luck with correcting the problem. I just purchased a 2002 H2X and had noticed a smell and the carpet seems to stay wet. I wasnt for certain what the problem was because it has rained on the boat just about everyday since i bought it. I have also stood in the cabin with the boat on the trailer and rocked the boat and you can hear some serious water moving around in it. The boat doesn't seem to take on hardly any water but as all y'all, would really like to correct this problem. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide

I would check the hatch, horn, and nav lights. All 3 of mine were leaking. Plus the bilge pump was broken. Also the pop cleats can get water around the cups and get in.

SO I have this problem, and and tired of dealing with it. Tried to mount the factory float/bildge lower int he V but its still not going to be low enough. So now I am thinking of other options. My water is coming from the AC condensation.... Even checked into putting a siphon vlave ont he AC out put to suck the pan dry so it woul dnot go into the bildge, but that adds other problems. and I can figure out how to route the pan drain to the sump as there is not a strait shot, that will allow it to gravit feed.

SO any of you have a pic or 2 or some part numbers of the set up? if you use a pump with a hose to suck it out, and its hooked to the factory pumps out put, then the factory pump does not work anymore because its discharge hose is now being used by the new pump?

http://www.mmair.com/marine_division...id_condensator

I think these work pretty good.

I have debated doing this as well. they make a 20 buck version that does the same thing. BUT IF its gets clogged, then your pump will back feed the pan from the pump.... so that seams like a bad idea.