Water Under Seats

[Spyder7892]

Guys,

I have a 2010 Challenger 210 and I am having an issue with rain water building up in the compartments under the bow seats and also the 2 flip up seats in the rear. Are these compartments supposed to have a drain that drains water into the hull? I currently leave my boat out without a cover and after a rain storm I have quite a large amount of water (depending on the rain storm) in all 4 of these compartments and have to pump them out with a shop vac. I have looked and do not see drains anywhere, would it hurt anything if I drilled a small drain through so it could drain into the bilge of the boat?

Thanks!

 

[JPass]

I would not drill holes in the bottom of those compartments. There are "gutters" that run around the opening under these seats. It's a small trough that runs around the opening and should allow for water to spill into the cockpit, which should then drain to the bilge and then out the drain plug hole.

If you get more rain then the gutter/trough can handle, I would guess water would then spill into the compartments.

A cover might be a good investment if you're going to continue to store your boat outdoors.

Poppy cover is roughly $500

 

[MacSeaDoo]

I would be cautious about adding items that drain to the bilge. +1 on the cover not just for water but to keep your seats from looking like they came from a 1977 Bluebird Bus...

 

[Bluemouse II]

I recently acquired the same boat two months ago and accidently left my cover off before a heavy Florida rain storm and found those same areas full of water. If you look at the rear inboard area of each of the locations you should see a small drain hole (bout 1/4" in size) already there. Mine were covered with crud and debris and after a through cleaning drained future water into center hull area and out the drain plug. I also keep the boat at a slightly bow high attitude to assist in draining.