1978 19'6" with standing water

[skinnywater]

I have a 1978 19'6” center console, and yesterday I went to inspect my gas tank. To my surprise the compartment underneath the center console that holds the gas tank was filled with water. I keep my trailer tipped up so water will run out the drain, and the drain is open. The boat is a self bailer, so I thought it should drain out on its own, right? Has anyone heard of this happening before? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[scott_gunn]

On my boat (an '86 196) the gas tank compartment has a small drain hole in the rear starboard side of the compartment.  This hole drains directly to the bilge.  Maybe your's is clogged?

[Anonymous]

I posted a similar note yesterday -- mine is a 225 center console.  I called Aquasport and found the following which might be useful to you (I have not tried it out yet, I just got this info this morning).  

From the dry storage (forward of the cc) there is a single PVC drain.  Also, just aft of the gas tank there is another single PVC drain.  If the aft drain is clogged it will prevent water from going to the bilge pump.  How to solve this problem?  The service guy suggested I try and run a snake through the forward line to ensure it is clear then, through the drain plug try and make a straight line to the rear PVC drain to unclog it.  

I don't know about your boat, but I can't do this without removing my bilge pump.  I'm going to send in my 7 year old through the rear hatch (batteries removed) and see if he can unclog it.  Of course, I spent some time cleaning the rear bilge yesterday with hot water and soap to keep him somewhat clean ---

I hope this works for both of us!

[skinnywater]

I checked for a drain on the side access panel, but there is nothing there. I think I'm going to have to access the gas tank compartment by removing the access panel, but I have to remove the center console to do anything on my boat. :x

Thanks for the advise about the drain on the dry storage. I have to check that out. I don't remember seeing one, but I have to check.

I noticed a drain on the outside of the boat that is on the starboard side towards the bow. I don't know what this is for; I'm thinking its for a bilge pump, but the guy I bought the boat off said that there is not bilge on the boat.

[scott_gunn]

Starboard near the bow on my boat drains one of the bow storage compartments on the bow deck.  See if one of those storage compartments has a drain.

Yeah, you'll have to take off the center console to access the gas tank compartment, but if you do I bet you'll see the drain hole and it's probably clogged.

When I took my console off I didn't have to unwire anything - I just kind of tilted the console foward and I could get to the gas tank panel that way.  Be sure to silicon caulk the edges of the gas tank panel when you put it back to prevent water from getting in there.

[skinnywater]

ok, there is a drain in one of the bow storage compartments, and it drains to the outside starboard side on the bow.

I pulled up the fuel tank hatch, but all I saw was a bunch of foam. The only area that was accesable was the small circular cut out for the fuel inlet hoses. I looked on the rear starboard side for a drain, but it is all one large foam mass.