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Why? Why doesnt my 19M have a bilge drain? When its on the hard I don't want to have to worry about rain water flooding my bilge (like it did this week). Ive got 2 bilge pumps installed but that doesnt matter if you forget to plug in your battery maintainer... and since Im in Mass I need to figure out how to remove all this water before it freezes. Seriously considering just drilling the transom and adding a bronze garboard drain. Why shouldnt I? My Chris Craft Commander has a factory thru hull for when its on the hard, why not the 19M also?

Anyone know how far over from the centerline the ballast tank runs? Since my bilge is now full of water with an skim coating of ice I'm thinking my only option is to drill a hole for a garboard drain and let it drain out. I've cracked the ice and have a flood lamp sitting in the bilge and the battery maintainer plugged back in but its going to be hours before the pumps are ready to run.

Someone talk me off the ledge... or send me adult beverages and pizza...

None of the Mac boats have bilge drains.

If I were dealing with your issue, and I have in the past, I'd first do what you're doing now. I've been able to remove frozen water from the outer bilges by lifting the ice out. If you can help the melt process with light bulb, heat lamp, heat gun, maybe even sidewalk ice melt, then scoop, sponge or use a towel to absorb the water in hard to reach spots. Also, consider rolling the boat, or jacking up the trailer on one side let the water flow to an easier to reach area.

Ok I poured a fresh coffee and stopped my whining and took the dogs for a quick walk to figure out the best approach. While walking the dogs recalled that I had a spare pond pump in the shed I could use to drain the boat down. Sadly the pump doesnt have enough head to pump all the way out but combined with a siphon it's slowly draining down. Once the level is low enough for me to slide in without the need for a wetsuit I'll disconnect the bilge pump hoses and back fill them with RV antifreeze. If only the Admiral/CFO had approved the budget for the new garage I wouldnt have to keep the 19 outside like some some poor neglected sunfish.

I know its not popular to drill holes in hulls, but I may add a garboard drain to prevent this issue in the future. Or just remember to plug the battery tender into the correct battery....

Good Regroup. Sound plan. Now Follow through: Get a wet dry vac -Any kind & use it well! —& wait for Spring
Just No Drilling or hole making! - “Put the gun down!!...”

Pinky swear Promise ...

Now let’s get real cool - Like Fonzi...Chill Out-Honey Bunny!... {adult language warning- Sorry...}

No holes...- Correctamundo

PS: Merry Ho Ho...

Not having a 19 I didn't think I had anything to say on this thread.

But then I re read it and thought about how much rainwater that you are talking about and that seems like an awful lot. How long does it take to build up the floodwaters?

Is it one big (findable?) leak? If the water accumulates quickly I'd spend some time finding the root cause, assuming that this is abnormal for a 19.

If it builds up slowly, meaning one or several hard-to-find small leaks, maybe the solution is a tarp for storage? Why doesn't the same thing happen when the boat is afloat?

I don’t know how the 19 ballast tank is configured, but I couldn’t put a single drain point in my M that would provide adequate drainage to dry the bilge. If you absolutely have to do it, verify you can drain it dry first. I agree that finding the leaks and tarping the boat is a better plan. Holes below the waterline should be last resort - no alternative type solutions in my opinion.

Here's the root of the problem, my hatch is being rebuilt and the tarp that *was* on her had apparently ripped near the center of the hatch opening creating a nice catch basin with a ... drain right into the cabin

Some positive take aways from this:

1. Wife/admiral/CFO has approved the budget for new garage in the spring.
2. Rational me went out to the workshop and hid the drill from irrational me.
3. Between the pond pump, flood light, and patience I think I have this resolved for now.
4. Learning experiences are good.

Now to wrap up the hatch rebuild before the next rain/snow storm....

Duquette5 wrote:Here's the root of the problem, my hatch is being rebuilt and the tarp that *was* on her had apparently ripped near the center of the hatch opening creating a nice catch basin with a ... drain right into the cabin

Some positive take aways from this:

1. Wife/admiral/CFO has approved the budget for new garage in the spring.
2. Rational me went out to the workshop and hid the drill from irrational me.
3. Between the pond pump, flood light, and patience I think I have this resolved for now.
4. Learning experiences are good.

Now to wrap up the hatch rebuild before the next rain/snow storm....

Ya know a small piece of plywood would cover that open hatch temp. then tarp ?

Sometimes common sense alludes me... I have a heavy canvas tarp over the hatch opening, the hatch holding it in place, and a new trap over the whole thing. Hatch just needs new gel coat and will be right as rain.

I purchased a wet-dry 5 gallon Shop Vac and it works great for emptying water in the bilge....Suck up 4+ gals, lift out & dump...repeat.
It works well for a whole lot of other uses, off the boat and on.