Carver Owners Forum

I get a little crazy when I find water in my bilge and try to locate its source and correct it when it occurs. Recently I had a stubborn source that was elusive for months. Finally the culprit was found in the form of the drain pipe below the aft shower. I had checked the area and found a few drops by the pump housing to remove the shower water overboard. However I was finding between 8 - 10 gallons in the engine room bilge a day or two later. I thought the shower could not be losing that much as I only found occasional drops. What I did find was that the spiraled flexible shower drain hose had cracks from age on the clear portions of the pipe from the pump housing all the way back to the drain as it was original equipment. Once I tried to remove it, this pipe deteriorated in my hands and broke apart. the water would take a day to work its way through the bilge galley's before settling in the engine room bilge. Fishing the new pipe about 6' of it was a task and had to be worked from both ends to properly align through the bulkhead opening. Once replaced, no more water in the bilge.

Another small leak was found when I heard hissing in the engine room. I traced that back to the hot water heater that had acquired a pin hole leak in the outbound hot water line about 2" from the tank spraying straight up against the access panel beneath the aft stateroom bed. This was a quick fix, I had to turn the hot water heater off and depressurize the system. Once complete, I only had to disconnect the line and cut the first 3" where the leak was and re-secure the good poly pipe to the pressure fitting.

Along the way I found that when I have water in the bilge, until I can find the source odors can arise especially in the heat. What I did to remedy this was to toss a 1" chlorine tablet in the bilges accumulated water at its lowest point. Odor stopped and the movement of the boat sanitized the bilge so when I sucked the water out that the pumps could not reach the bilge looked brand new, dry, and very clean.

Careful when using chlorine or bleach in the bilge or sump boxes. It deteriorates the seal in the pump which will eventually fail as a result. If you're going to use chlorine/bleach, run water through them for a while afterwards or they may not work the next time you really need them.

Thanks Viper, I generally used it in the water below the bilge pumps. But good to know.

Interesting. I think you have walked the path I am following. I have about 5 to 10 gal of water showing up in my bilge every couple of days. I did find a pin hole leak in the hot water heater inlet pipe but have stopped it (sound familiar). In my case the aft shower sump pump does not seem to be working so I will need to replace it.

What else have you found so I know where to start looking next

Hi Wayne M,
Aside from shower drains and water heater supply lines, check your dockside fresh water intake. Mine was leaking and needed to be snugged as it was getting behind the assembly. Also check your ice maker supply line behind the port closet in the aft stateroom. Previously discussed aft cabin window seals could also be a culprit, they will leave traces of water on the sills after washing or hard rain. Also check your shaft seals for adjustment, I traced one leak back to the starboard shaft below my TV in the aft stateroom cabinet floor. It was dripping about 50 drips a min. I have generally found my leaks aft of the salon. Start in the engine room and work your way back. You may be able to hear the hiss or drip when its quiet in the engine room. When I do find a leak and repair it, I will get residual water for a day or so as it streams forward to the engine room or galley bilge. I also keep a shop vac handy to get the water out once fixed to minimize time of drying and to verify the repair.

Been there done that! Sure feels real good when you find the culprit get it fixed and have a dry bilge. Sweeet!!!!

Wayne162
This is too funny.
Yep found and fixed the water leak behind the ice maker.
My shore water was leaking as well. Under pressure it sprayed out the fitting. I have a temp fix by placing a an on\off hose fitting on it until I get back to Pensacola and my tools.

checked the shaft seals and they seem to be alright.

Shower drains?

I am having a similar issue. I collect about 10 gallons a week while the boat is idle.

So it has to be on the "inlet" side of the pump. If it was on the outbound or pressure side, the pump would be cycling on and off.

I can't see find the supply lines from the tanks to the freshwater pump. Any suggestions on how to find and replace these?

Just a side question on the comments above.... did your pressure system cycle on and off with the leaks described?

Just another place to check. If you have a receptacle to the left of the sink / icemaker, any water that gets in on the bridge runs along the port side over and through this receptacle. It then ends up in your aft closet and eventually the bilge. I believe this is true for the 355, 404 and 405.