BILGEPUMP WIRES

Q:Doc, I have to rewire my automatic bilge pump, and I am confused. What is the difference between the two brown wires?

Tim Cole Covington, Ohio

A:If you look closely, you’ll find that one wire is brown, and the other is brown and white. Brown is the power, or positive, lead that connects direct to the battery, or to the automatic side of a three-way switch. The brown-andwhite wire is the switched power lead, and it connects to the manual or “on” terminal of a switch. Be sure to fuse both properly.

THE TIDE’S RISIN’

Q: Mick, I have a 2007 Chaparral 236SSX. When I’m not using the boat, it is stored indoors on a rack.

This weekend, I had the boat put on blocks to do a little work on it, and I pulled the drain plug to see how much water came out. I was shocked at the amount of water—it was close to 5 gallons.

Is this unusual? How does that water get in there? Should I be concerned?

Tim Corle Downingtown, Pennsylvania

A: Water can get into the boat in a variety of ways. Any underwater fitting is suspect— transducers, swim-ladder brackets, throughhull fittings, etc. After five years or so, these should be removed and resealed with caulk. Also, the hull-to-deck joint can leak. This is under the rub rail. Water running up the hull gets forced into the seam. Go around the boat and inspect under the rub rail all around.

A bead of caulk applied to the underside of the rub rail might be in order.

From above, deck hatches such as an anchor locker or the engine hatch can be allowing rainwater or spray in.

Finally, there will always be some water from condensation.

Also, what about any freshwater system aboard the boat (sink, transom shower, etc.)? Anything leaking?

I cannot advise this, but some boaters give the water a little taste—that gives them a clue if it is salt water or fresh water.

Good luck.