How much water should be left in the bilge?

[Laz]

Hi. I had a minor wash over the bow today and the auto bilge pumped it out. However, there always seems to be an inch or two of water in the bilge (when I open the engine compartment).

Is this normal? I have a Moomba Outback with a direct drive.

Thanks,

Laz

[Buttafewcoe]

Yes, residual is normal. Most of the rest will come out when back on the trailer and remove it the plug
.
B

[seanpatsdad]

Your bilge pump probably is not at the lowest point in the bilge.I have an 04 LSV and mine was not.It was off to the side a little bit.
John

[zabooda]

The switch for the automatic bilge will turn on and shut off at a higher level than if you turned the pump on manually just by the location of the switch on the pump.

[gammapark]

I have an 06 Outback and have the exact same issue. The lowest point of the bilge pump is still about an inch above the floor of the boat.

We have had a couple of 'wash overs', the first one was a biggie and we took in about two inches of water into the bilge area. I just sponged out the remaining water so it wouldn't sit down there. But it was quite a bit more that I would have thought the bilge would miss.

Just another reason to open that motor cover and check out what's going on in there.

Chris

[NC05LSV]

my 05 LSV has had similar issues. As stated, manually turning on the ballast will get out most of the residual. If I have time (i.e. no one is waiting to use the steep ramp) I will take the plug out right when I start to pull up the ramp. If I can't, I use a shop vac when I get home to get out the rest. Excess water in the bilge can create bigger problems with steering cable and engine rust. I used to just ignore the little bit of water in there until I replaced the steering cable myself this year. I wont make the same mistakes again. Good luck

[Laz]

Thanks for all your replies.

I'm gonna try and keep it dryer.

Laz