FishBox Issues - 2008 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest
Hi Guys, I have recently purchased a 2008 model Boston Whaler 255 Conquest. I have an issue with keeping the underdeck fishboxes (both port & starboard) dry, as they seem to be taking in reasonable water during a days trip. I use the fishboxes to store equipment that I wish to remain reasonably dry. I summarise as follows: (1) The fishboxes were dry at the start of the trip; (2) The drain plugs are in firmly and I can confirm no water is entering through the drain plugs at the bottom of the fishboxes. (3) Upon investigation it appears that the water is entering through the fishbox pumpout holes (which is used to pump water out of the fishboxes). It appears that the holes on the outside of the hull where the water pumps out of is actually also taking water back into the fishbox when these holes become slightly submerged during water travel. Can anyone please confirm this is the case (as I would expect there should be one way valves to stop this). Or is there another issue I am overlooking. Any advice on how to keep the fishboxes completely dry would be greatly appreciated.
Dhuvinile
Posts: 228
Date Joined: 13/05/12
i personally dont have a
i personally dont have a boston whaler but a " non-return valve" mechanism would be a good investment if not already fitted.
Dylan
sammy85
Posts: 831
Date Joined: 31/08/10
Does the water come in
Does the water come in topside from the deck? Mate has a striper an his does the exact same thing. We were also wondering how to rectify it
Plumber and gas fitter- 0415489103
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
For the drain hole to empty
For the drain hole to empty the box when the boat is moving, the exit hole has to be very close to the water level. The down side is that, when everyone is at the back the boat's waterline changes and the holes are now at or below the waterline, this in turn lets water in. This oversight was highlighted and on the later models, the exit hole was higher, but the boxes needed a pump to empty on those models. So .......... the decision was to lower them again and use the fish boxes as intended not for dry storage.
The most common "fix" is to plug the box at the drain hole.
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
A cheap fast fix for that,
A cheap fast fix for that, (but sadly it looks micky mouse), is to plug in a pvc periscope to raise the exit hole at the transom. That saves you from drilling a new exit and sealing the old one.
snuffs
Posts: 140
Date Joined: 06/08/12
Hi Sammy - No the water is
Hi Sammy - No the water is not coming in topside from the deck (not that I have noted so far but I guess it is possible also). The deck should be sealed.
To clarify my issue. my model (2008) has an electric pump from each fishbox (one for port and one for starboard) that pumps the water out to a small drain hole at the back port and transom sides of the boat. My question is "is it normal for water be able to come back from this drain on the outside of the hull back into the fishboxes??
I have heard two trains of thought, but no one so far with a definitive answer. Some people tell me the fishboxes are to put the fish on an ice slurry. But on this basis I would have thought that a constant stream of new water entering the fishbox through the drain is not ideal as the ice would dissolve quickly ... surely no new water entering would be better in this situation. On the other hand, some people have told me that they are a kill tank with water entering them to be normal to wash out the blood etc. I guess my questions is ... (a) which one is it? and (b) is mine not working properly because it cannot stay dry (c) if it should be dry (or I wish it to stay dry) how do I fix it profesisonally ... i.e. instal a 1 way valve? Thoughts would be appreciated.
snuffs
Posts: 140
Date Joined: 06/08/12
Hi Alfred - To clarify
Hi Alfred - To clarify against your comment on the newer models having a pump ... my model has an electric pump to remove the water from the fishbox to the external drain hole. In addition, the fishboxes also have a drain hole on the bottom of the fishboxes but this is just a normal plug in the fishbox, so no water can enter of leave this area unless you pull the plug out. Hope this makes sense.
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
The answer is Yes. The water
The answer is Yes.
The water will back wash in when the pump is not running and when the exit is at or below water level or when a wave hits it.
Raising the exit holes will help.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
The pumps are just
The pumps are just centrifugal and allow water back through them.
snuffs
Posts: 140
Date Joined: 06/08/12
so if water continues to
so if water continues to come back through them wouldnt this effect the ability to maintain an efficient ice slurry in the fishboxes as the ice would be melted by new water entering? I would have thourhg a sealed unit with one way valve would be a better option so the ice is not melted (assuming you add salt water yourself to make the slurry). Or am i looking at it incorrectly?
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
That is a kill box and not
That is a kill box and not for a ice slurry.
greatrex
Posts: 210
Date Joined: 29/08/11
Hey mate I've got an 07 240
Hey mate I've got an 07 240 outrage i presume they are both the same type of set up in the tanks you have the pump switched on to let water in turn it off and nothing will come in the only way to let water out of them is the bungs in the back. So look at your switchboard and see that you don't have the pumps to port and starboard tanks on
greatrex
Posts: 210
Date Joined: 29/08/11
I regularly use them for an
I regularly use them for an ice slurry during raft ups keep Ice and piss cold for a couple days. The pump is only to let water into the tank not pump it out.
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Are you referring to the
Are you referring to the above deck tank?
greatrex
Posts: 210
Date Joined: 29/08/11
I'm referring to the two
I'm referring to the two below tanks. The above tank is the live bait tanks the yet two are kill tanks. The pump only pumps water in if its turned on. The only way to remove the water is remove the bungs in the back corners
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Looks like there might be
Looks like there might be some differences between the models then. The below deck ones I have seen, the pumps extract water.
snuffs
Posts: 140
Date Joined: 06/08/12
yes, there is a differenc in
yes, there is a differenc in models from what i am hearing. mine extracts the water. To fill up the water you simply take the drain plug out until it reaches your desired level.
goldstrike
Posts: 1
Date Joined: 04/10/11
Hi snuffs, I have the same
Hi snuffs, I have the same Boston. I reckon the cockpit is leaking water from the deck into the fish boxes.
The rubber seals might not be that great.
I have stored camping and bedding gear in the longer stbd side with no probs.
I doubt the water comes back thru the pumps, but I have macerators installed so maybe that prevents water in mine.
Cheers.
snuffs
Posts: 140
Date Joined: 06/08/12
Thanks Goldstrike. I have
Thanks Goldstrike. I have macerator pumps installed also. Is your definitely a 2008 model as apparently they changed the drainage problem on future models? I will do another test this Sunday, but I was quite confident it was through the pump hole not the deck. I will place a hose on full pressure into the external drain hole this weekend to test whether is fills the kill tanks. Whilst there I may also test your theory of it coming through the deck as well. Will let you know how I go.
I spoke to the Boston Whaler Rep in Perth yesterday who advised that it was not uncommon for water to come back into the fishboxes through the exernal drain holes. Apparently people have been fixing this issuethrough installation of one way valves if they wisshed to use it for dry storage.
I have also noticed the below deck bilge seems to be taking in water. Any thoughts on this. I thought maybe it is coming through the fish boxes ... perhaps through the inspection holes.