www.iFourWinns.com

I hope I don't have a major issue....Hope you guys can help.

I bought a '05 258 Vista 6 weeks ago. 120 hours and recently underwent a full service at the dealer.

It is kept on a hoist in a covered slip. After getting caught in a serious rain storm I noticed water in the bilge.....Probably about 2 gallons....not high enough to trip the bilge pump though. I pumped it out and thought my problem was solved. I also noticed the shower/AC condensate sump was not pumping overboard after using the AC this past week end. I figured it was a clogged/kinked drain line.

I went this afternoon to clear the line and tested the sump. Everything worked fine after blowing out and snaking the sump drain line. I think this problem had been ongoing b/c the sump was pretty nasty. I then wanted to disconnect the sump box and clean the gunk from around the box. When I unscrewed the the box from the sump platform, WATER STARTED PULSATING THROUGH THE SCREW HOLES AT A STEADY CONSTANT RATE.!!!!????. Checked the bilge and still no significant water accumulation. Removed the forward table mount and looked under at the keel and there was a cup full of water standing. I snaked the drain under the table platform and traced the drain line to the sump box.....So there has to be a compartment below the sump platform that holds water and is obviously not draining.

I sucked approximately 7 gallons of water through the sump screw holes with a shop vac......went to the bilge and snaked the keel drain which runs under the gas tank as far as I could......

So, my question is this.....where is this water coming from? The water had a "soapy" quality. My assumption is the clogged sump drain line resulted in water overflowing and accumulating under the sump platform, but how did it get there? The hold from the sump drains on each side of the gas tank to the bilge. I looked at the water pump under the stairs and tested the shower drain.....and every thing is working well with no evidence of a leak.

I hope this makes sense. I really need some feed back.

Sincerely,

David

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David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

Same boat, same problem. I just went down to the boat and pulled the shower sump. Same thing, I freaked. We store in dry stack under cover, and have a service department there. The service manager talked me down, said all boats have these problems. He suggested sucking it out, sealing the sump and checking again in a month. If you do a search in the Vista forum, theres a lot of posts about this, each one having a different problem (and solution).

Just got done for the day on my sump. A couple things: Last year I did find the overflow off the freshwater tank, the hose clamp had not been tightened. Today, discovered a cracked fitting on the shower sump, I assume ac inlet, we did run the ac for the first time this weekend. I'm suspecting the fresh water fill now, check it out tomorrow. We are the original owners, so I know nothing bad has happened to the boat, just need to figure it out.

Off-Piste....Thanks for the help. I will check the water tank connections as well....my sump box appears to be in good shape for now.

Here's what I found out today....Talked w/ Four Winns....they said it sounds like water is trapped between stringers below the sump platform....But how did it get there? Any overflow theoretically should flow around the gas tank to the bilge...???

Then, I went through the service records and noticed a work order for sump repair from the FW dealer dated May of this year, I called the original owner to investigate. He said when he opened the boat up after storing it in his driveway this winter, the sump bay was completely under water...almost up to the cabin floor. He said he thought it was rain water which sounds logical. The sump was not getting electricity so it was not pumping anything. Thus the work order. The original owner sucked out the water and let it air dry. However, there was still water under the sump platform which had been sitting there for 4 months until I found it yesterday. I guess I am lucky I wanted to clean under the sump box!

I think water entered around the windows and other "openings" and traveled down the sides of the hull and came to rest between the stringers under the sump platform and had no way to get out.

I think I will drill a small hole on the platform to enable me to see the keel and to provide some additional air for to help evaporate any water which may find it's way there in the future. Hopefully this won't be an issue since it is stored under cover now.

Will keep you posted....Thanks again for your advice!

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David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

David,

Curious as to how you made out with your water issue. It seems I have a similar problem with my 278 and believe I also have water under the sump platform. Not sure how this happened (I bought the boat late last season and noticed an odour that was determined to be stagnant water in the forward keel area (under the cabin table platform and forward to the bow). I did find a leak in the anchor locker (thanks to information obtained from this great site) so figured that was that.

Because of my initial problem I have always tried to monitor water in the bilge etc. I sometimes find a bit of water in the forward bilge area (the sump pump is in the same location) but after reading your post realize that the sump pump platform is not the keel of the boat so there is another layer below. However this platform has several screw holes etc. for items attached to it so I can see how water could seep below.

I wondered about your idea of drilling a hole through the platform (even one big enough to allow access with my wet vac) but that would mean all water that arrives in that section would end up in the keel. It just seems odd to me that there are spaces where water can be trapped. Is the expectation that this water would eventually evaporate but is there potential for structural damage if water is left standing between these stringers?

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"

Again, same thoughts about my 258. After sucking the screw holes out, I did get a little water in the bilge last weekend. Might just be left over. I think every idea about cause I've read here is probably going on. My plan this winter is to add a fresh water tank on starboard side (to correct a listing problem also mentioned here) and then go thru the water system. I'm also suspecting the refrigerator and the AC. My plan for the forward bilge is to put in one of those round access plates so I can monitor under the sump. A mechanic found a similiar problem in a Sea Ray, where the forward bilge was not sealed from the rear bilge. Good thing I read this post as I would never have looked under the sump. I'm getting to know my boat really well.

Krouche,

Sorry to hear about your problem....however, after speaking with a few folks including the guys @ Four Winns Customer Service, I did put a 2" deck plate through the sump platform.....I can now inspect and let air in to aid in evaporation very easily....

did not have a camera to post pix but will this weekend.

I used a Stainless Steel Water Deck Plate just like the one mounted on the boat for the water tank. The deck plate was 3" long so I had to cut the neck down to 3/4" to fit. I drilled the whole in the center line of the sump platform between the sump box and the gas tank bulk head....when I lift the sump cover in the floor it is all right there....i seated the plate in silicone and fastened with stainless screws...The plate has an o ring on the cap so if water does travel from the forward area or overflows from the sump, it can't go under the platform again. I also sealed the screw holes for the sump box and redrilled.

Even after sucking 8 gallons of water from the screw holes, I still had two gallons of water trapped under the sump after installing the deck plate. Also, be careful if you decide to do this. There is only about 3 inches of space between the platform and the keel...so take it slow with the drill bit.....I put a piece of tape marking 3/4" on the bit so I could monitor my depth....

Also, Customer Service said to check if the boat had limber holes in the engine hold @ the transom. The idea is water will should travel down the keel and up through the limber holes at the transom and into the rear bilge area....As far as I can tell, I don't have limber holes....hard to get back there. I believe this is why I had water accumulating....there is no where for it to go w/out limber holes....Poor design!!!!! The bilge are is finished fiberglass with a space between the floor and the keel....so no worries abut drilling through the bottom of the boat....again, I will be careful and take it slow.....

I would recommend talking to customer service.....they walked me through the process and verified my ideas would work without causing damage....

the good news is I have left the deck plate open over the last week and I have had no water accumulation....atleast know I can look and vaccuum if needed.....

Hope this helps....

David

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David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

Same for me...good thing indeed. I like the access plate idea. If I find water and need to wet vac it out no problem. I just hate the thought of water just standing there until it evaporates (or here in the Great White North...freezes).

Many Thanks!

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"

Thanks David,

I like the idea of the stainless steel deck plate and appreciate the heads up on not drilling too far (that would make for a great story around the campfire )

I'll check for the limber holes as well (they should be at the very rear of the boat - at the transom)? Perhaps that is why I get some water in the bilge area after a run on the lake. Could be some of the water in the forward keel area is moving back there when I bring the boat up on plane (think I'll let the bow sit high for a while on my weekend run to see if I get more water in the rear bilge).

Man, what would I do without all the help on this terrific site

Have a good one.

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"

Kevin,

Four Winns Customer Service said if limber holes are not present to drill two 1/4" holes. Measure 10" from the centerline of the keel and 1" from the transom. One hole to the port and one hole to the starboard. They said the depth should be approximately 1/2" to get through the fiberglass bilge floor. I would drill slowly at low speed for obvious reasons....!!!!!!!

Again, please call FW Customer Service and confirm. I would hate to think I contributed in a "campfire" story.....

Happy Boating!!!!!

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David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

Thanks again David!

I'll check for those holes when at the boat tomorrow. I stopped by West Marine today to look for a stainless steel deckplate and now see what you mean about it being 3" long. I wondered how you cut the flange area...not sure if it could be cut with a typical hack saw or if you used a special tool to cut it.

Have a good one!

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"

K,
I cut the flange with a recip saw and about three Milwaukee metal blades.....put it in a vice to hold it tight and sprayed WD40 for lubrication as needed......took about 5 minutes with recip saw set on low......

i would rather use a metal band saw.......but i used what was available....


D

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David
2005 Vista 258
5.7 Gi Volvo DP
Norris Lake, TN

I figured it would take a little persuasion to cut through that thing.

Cheers

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"

My V278 '06 was also collecting water in this area prior to a minor DIY fix. Water was coming directly through the anchor locker, running directly down the under seat carpeting at the front of the sleeping area and collecting at the shower sump. All that was required was to re-chalk the interior of the anchor locker and the problem went away. If this is an option on the V258 its worth looking into.
Oliver

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Oliver
'06 V278
Singapore

Hey Oliver,
It was after reading your post that I found the same issue on my 278. The carpeting (under the front seat and right at the bow) showed water staining. Then whenever I washed the boat I would find the carpet was wet. Since I've re chalked the interior of the anchor locker it has remained dry. Certainly worth checking on the V258 if a similar design.

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"