High Water Alarm


Divergirl

Divergirl

Member
Hi All....I hope everyone is in the water for a fabulous summer of boating!

I have been spending a lot of time aboard in the Bahamas. When I crossed from Florida to Bimini on 5/17 I encountered 3 to 4 footers. And, they were unusual seas as to how they were hitting the boat. The stern actually lifted out of the water twice and I could hear the props whirring away...first time I have experienced that. I was about 1/2 way there when the high water alarm went off. I always get my mechanic to check all floats, bilges, filters, oil, tranny fluid, strainers, etc. before I go on any trip. When he did this for this Bahamas trip he found one bad float switch in the forward bilge located in the salon floor and so that was replaced. That is the first place I looked but it was dry as a bone. I opened the engine room and was horrified when I saw water sloshing out over the middle bilge and pooling behind the engines, under the shafts. So, I manually cycled the bilge 5 mins on 5 mins off until I arrived. After settling in and washing the boat down I opened the engine room and it was dry...checked it the next day and it was dry so, no water entering the boat while stationary. Both shaft seals and cutlass bearings have been changed with the last 1 to 2 years. Someone in my group mentioned stuffing boxes. And, crossing back over from Bimini to Florida...no issues....had almost dead flat coming back.

Anyone?

"tanks",
Divergirl
 
Not seeing everything, it could just be the pitch and roll of the boat put the discharge outlets for the bilge and others under water. So the water would rush back in from the outlets.

Check your pumps and look at the capacity of them, noting that what ever there size, it is reduced by 30% most times (1000 gph = 700 gph) due to the amount of lift the water must be pushed up to evacuate
 
Yeah in high seas almost anything is possible....

If it stays dry post-trip and another run it still stays dry I would chaulk it up for high seas

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Thanks guys...it was my feeling that it had to do with the seas being rough, how it was hitting the boat. If it weren't, I would have been taking on water at the dock and also coming back and I was not.
 
Never ever allow the stern to come out of the water to where the props are running dry you are lucky to be alive right now. Next time you encounter that situation nail the stern down by throwing out a port and starboard sea anchor.You could have gone into a broach that is usually followed by a cap size. Just sayin. Nick
 
Do you mean running at cruise with anchors trailing behind? I didn't command it to do so....it was the seas.
 
He's talking about a sea anchor, not your bow anchor. A sea anchor is for the most part a sock to create a drag against the wind (not current). Helps hold a position without using motors, and can also be used to help keep the stern down. If engines die, it can help hold your position while repairs or folks come running, when water is to deep to anchor. The down side, is you will not be able to turn into a wave as quick if waters are coming in at different directions.

Good thing to have in the tool box, but must understand when to use and how (Pros/Cons)

https://www.boatingmag.com/how-to-use-drogues-and-sea-anchors/
Click to expand...
 
You learn something new every day, right? I have never heard of sea anchors so, thanks and I will do some research.
 
rockstars1989 said:
Never ever allow the stern to come out of the water to where the props are running dry you are lucky to be alive right now. Next time you encounter that situation nail the stern down by throwing out a port and starboard sea anchor.You could have gone into a broach that is usually followed by a cap size. Just sayin. Nick
Click to expand...

I guess I've been doing it wrong... I do my best to throttle back if the engines spin up, but sometimes it's just too fast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5UjH_0JbtM
 
Hello All ! Hope your having a great season so far. Since this thread is already started about the high water alarm I have a question. The alarm in the forward bilge works fine. The one in the engine compartment doesn't work. I checked the float switch and it's not the problem. Even disconnected it and put the wires together directly no dice! Are there 2 separate alarm systems or are both connected to the same alarm? I can't even find the alarm itself under my dash it's really tight. Ideas or options please. I was thinking about running a new separate alarm from the engine bilge. Thanks.
2002 41 pc Volvo diesels.
 
I know in my 2004 31PC they are separate alarms. They are all under the dashboard.I had to replace the alarm for my aft cabin bilge.I am sure there is a separate float for the alarm and the pump.Run a hose in your bilge(does the pump come on?) and take a voltage reading at the alarm unit if you have 12 volts and no alarm replace if no voltage you have a bad float or a break in the harness. Good luck. Nick
jlazzfp said:
Hello All ! Hope your having a great season so far. Since this thread is already started about the high water alarm I have a question. The alarm in the forward bilge works fine. The one in the engine compartment doesn't work. I checked the float switch and it's not the problem. Even disconnected it and put the wires together directly no dice! Are there 2 separate alarm systems or are both connected to the same alarm? I can't even find the alarm itself under my dash it's really tight. Ideas or options please. I was thinking about running a new separate alarm from the engine bilge. Thanks.
2002 41 pc Volvo diesels.
Click to expand...
 
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Agree with rockstar, mine is also a different horn under the helm, and larger then the normal engine alarm. I do have an old boat, and in most cases the same alarm horn is used for both high water bilges. Maybe its just a wire came disconnected
 
jlazzfp said:
Hello All ! Hope your having a great season so far. Since this thread is already started about the high water alarm I have a question. The alarm in the forward bilge works fine. The one in the engine compartment doesn't work. I checked the float switch and it's not the problem. Even disconnected it and put the wires together directly no dice! Are there 2 separate alarm systems or are both connected to the same alarm? I can't even find the alarm itself under my dash it's really tight. Ideas or options please. I was thinking about running a new separate alarm from the engine bilge. Thanks.
2002 41 pc Volvo diesels.
Click to expand...

I didn't read the previous posts, but just to make sure: You are holding the alarm in the active position for 10 seconds plus? Formula builds a delay into it. When our current 34PC was being surveyed the surveyor initially said the high water alarm was bad, I had to tell him about the 10 second delay.
 
Thanks for the reply guys. I did hold it for 10 seconds and nothing. The float switch is new and gives voltage. It's so difficult to find under my dash. I tried to
listen when activating the front alarm it's really loud!!! Gonna look again at night with a good light. Might be
Easier to see. Thanks again.
 
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