Carver Owners Forum

Hello,
Is it normal to have water in the bilges? Specifically I have around my 98 350 mariner for three years and they’re always seems to be a little bit of water in each of the bilge areas which I assume is normal. Is that the case? It doesn’t seem possible to keep the water out because someone out will always be residual left behind by the pumps. Also I always have a little bit of water laying in each of the smaller areas under each engine Where the shafts exit the boat maybe as much as an inch or 2 inches deep which does not seem to be extracted by the bilge as easily as the center area near the aft bilge. Any thoughts in these areas would be appreciated.

I consider it normal, but there are some who go to lengths to keep a dry bilge. To me it's more trouble than it's worth.

Mine are dry, if not I got a leak somewhere and go hunting to find it. It's normal though to have shafts dripping a little, however I have to say mine do not and I have not touched them since purchasing the boat in 2015. Our 1986 Mariner though seem to get rain water in the forward bilge and I never did find out how that was getting in there before I sold it. All said and done I prefer a dry bilge.

If you don't have dripless shafts then you'll get some water in that section of the bilge. Not a big deal. You can put in a smaller bilge pump at a convenient location to pump that little bit down to about 1/4" though.

The other areas should remain dry. If you're getting water in there you should figure out where it's coming from. It could be a leaky hose, or could be rainwater getting in somewhere. Could be the shower sump is overflowing sometimes, or a leaky hot water pressure/temperature safety valve.

This is a great thread! I have a 350 mariner. The port engine bay kept getting water. If that is where you are seeing water, try this:

Remove the engine bay covers. Along the sliding glass door under the ridge that the covers sit in, you will find a drip try. On either side of the drip tray is the drain hose. remove that and blow it out. This is a pretty common area to have water.

I think I'm going to do a new thread. I have a leak in my fresh water system and am not really sure how to access the line. Stby for more!