GW 2017 Freedom 235 Water in Bilge

[MichaelGilbreath]

Hi folks,

I'm new to the forum and I need a little help.

I have a 2017 GW Freedom 235, purchased new by me and stored in a dry stack facility. I hadn't checked in a couple years but I recently noticed water in the bilge. After about 6 hours of offshore fishing there's about 8 - 10 gallons of water that drains when I remove the bilge drain screw. I purposely didn't wash her down and the water still accumulated after a trip, and there wasn't any rain, so I'm assuming this is sea water.

Assuming no modifications to the boat and she still looks new, dry stacked, professionally serviced and stored by Hilton Head Boathouse, a GW dealership.

What would be the possible sources of water in her bilge and how would you proceed to find and fix the problem? The boat runs perfectly and you'd never notice 10 - 20 gallons down there but obviously I'd like to have her bone dry.

Thanks in advance,

Michael Gilbreath / South Carolina

 

[glacierbaze]

Don't know about newer boats, like 2017, but older GW's are notoriuos for trapping water midship. It will usually drain on the ramp, but not jacking the trailer all the way up in the driveway. But, running on plane with 10-20 gallons in the bilge should move it aft, and kick on the bilge pump. Do you have a light, or an alarm, that lets you know when your bilge pump is running? It's a good idea.
My pump kicks on more often putting the boat in, than taking it out, so I assume it is rainwater, as my boat sits for 2-3 weeks sometimes without use, in the driveway.

 

[PointedRose]

Scuppers or through hulls drains would be the first places I’d check. If the through hulls are plastic, they can break or chip. Scupper drain hoses can crack over time but probably not for a 2017. Chase the leak down before it becomes a problem (if there is a leak). As mentioned - does your bilge pump kick on? Seems like a lot of water to be in there. The shape of the newer seavee hulls does have a low point mid hull like glacier said but I agree if you’re running the boat the water would splash back to the stern getting up on plane. So it may be a through hull fitting or drain that needs replacing/resealing.

 

[seasick]

Haven't checked in a couple of years???
That said, there is no way with your limited info to make a determination of the cause but you need to have it looked at. As mentioned, there are many possible sources. The first thing I would try is to turn off ALL seacocks, go for a decent run and then see if water accumulated. If not, you have a leak in the plumbing. You should also if possible see if the bilge gets water when the boat just sits in the water without use. If it does, you probably do not have a deck to hull seal leak.
When out of the water, look for any rust runs or stains around any of the hull penetrations, rust could indicate a leak.

 

[Rustygaff]

Water could also be getting in through the liner/hull box joint under the rubrail.

 

[seasick]

Water could also be getting in through the liner/hull box joint under the rubrail.

That's what I was referring to.

"You should also if possible see if the bilge gets water when the boat just sits in the water without use. If it does, you probably do not have a deck to hull seal leak."

 

[MichaelGilbreath]

Hi folks and thanks for the feedback:

1) When I purchased the boat from Hilton Head Boathouse there was no alarm on the bilge pump and I never thought anything about it. I could have an alarm added and will.

2) As best I can tell the bilge pump is so forward that perhaps the 20 gallons of water so far aft wouldn't trigger it. My bilge pump was installed just under the aft rigging compartment and is accessed through the aft rigging lid. I'd assume there would need to be well over 30 or even 40 gallons of water in the bilge before the water would reach the pump and trigger it?

3) I thought about the scuppers but I thought: "Grady-White boats have self-bailing cockpits meaning water on the cockpit floor drains by gravity through large aft scuppers and not into the bilge." From what I could see all the scuppers drained over the side and not into the bilge. They looked clear of all debris.

4) Great idea about the through hull fittings and drains. I'll start there.

5) This model only has 4 seacocks: Head in (salt) and Head out, both always closed. We pee off the swim platform offshore. Live well (rarely used) and salt wash down always closed. I prefer to wash everything down with fresh water underway and at the dock. With all 4 seacocks almost always closed I don't think that's the problem but I could be mistaken.

6) "Water could also be getting in through the liner/hull box joint under the rubrail". This I hadn't considered, thanks!

7) "You should also if possible see if the bilge gets water when the boat just sits in the water without use. If it does, you probably do not have a deck to hull seal leak." I took the boat out on a clear day and ran her for 4 hours on plane and that caused the water to accumulate in the bilge. I avoided rinsing down the deck so I don't think its a deck to hull seal leak. Appreciate the thought.

I was hoping there was a common thread that connected boats of this model but apparently nothing has been consistently reported. I appreciate all the thoughts and advice.

Thanks,

Michael Gilbreath / SC

 

[Fishtales]

First you need to determine if fresh or salt.
Fresh can come in many ways via washing, rain as well as the water system in the boat. Need to ensure that there is no leaks at the faucets, sprayer and hoses.
Saltwater will come in via the rode if you are using the anchor. The amount seems excessive, but it could be a contributor. Check the scuppers and hose connections, fairly new boat so prob not the issue. Some have reported hull liner leaks and others where hardware and hardtop supports are mounted. Wondering if you have some hull damage or a crack that is letting water in? At my marina, they move boats around like they were donuts with those large cranes on the in/out service. Maybe the hull got breached during in/out movement? Good thing is you should be able to view it closely on the rack. Maybe low power or small binoculars could help?

 

[MichaelGilbreath]

First you need to determine if fresh or salt.
Fresh can come in many ways via washing, rain as well as the water system in the boat. Need to ensure that there is no leaks at the faucets, sprayer and hoses.
Saltwater will come in via the rode if you are using the anchor. The amount seems excessive, but it could be a contributor. Check the scuppers and hose connections, fairly new boat so prob not the issue. Some have reported hull liner leaks and others where hardware and hardtop supports are mounted. Wondering if you have some hull damage or a crack that is letting water in? At my marina, they move boats around like they were donuts with those large cranes on the in/out service. Maybe the hull got breached during in/out movement? Good thing is you should be able to view it closely on the rack. Maybe low power or small binoculars could help?

I thinks it's fresh water, based on smell, but admittedly I couldn't bring myself to taste it. Agree that a leak in a faucet or hose is a real possibility. The Hilton Head Boathouse uses forklifts to move the boats and they move them as they will. Nevertheless our guys are pretty good and I don't think the hulls the problem; they're as careful as they can realistically be. I've looked at her bottom on a wash rack and the hull looks pristine. Appreciate the feedback!

Michael Gilbreath

 

[Fishtales]

If fresh, check the faucet connections. I had a could that loosened up over the years and water would get into the bilge. You should hear the water pressure pump cycling once in a while if this is the case.

 

[MichaelGilbreath]

I want to thank you folks for the rational approach to tracking down the issue. Once I determined it was fresh water, not salt, in the bilge, it was just a matter of following the whole freshwater system until I found the leak. In this case it was a simple, but necessary, Shurflo Strainer Filter that filters freshwater before it gets to a pump. Small trickle but when it drains a good part of the freshwater storage tank it adds up! The filter / strainer was less than $20 but breaking the seal to get into the bilge, then re-caulking, was another matter. The darn thing was just out of arms reach; never fails!