water inside the watertight compartment

[alex]

While cleaning  the engine compartment of my 270 f.v 350 mag (2002) (on her trailer), with the fresh water hose, I noticed that the fresh water did not remain there, instead it was going directly inside the watertight compartment of the boat.

Unscrewing the metallic plug located on the back  of the boat(below the engine), a lot of water was coming out, meaning of course that I have a leakage from the engine compartment to the  watertight.

It looks like the leakage is quite big, since the water could not remain inside the engine compartment for more than a few seconds.

Any similar issue?

Where shall I look for in order to trace the leakage?

Any replies will be appreciated, since I consider this is a matter of safety.

Thanks
alex

[Dream 'Inn]

After reading what you wrote a couple times, I'm trying to grasp exactly where you are washing with the water and where do you think the water is going?  It sounds like you are washing in the engine room and then water is going forward?  If it is coming out of the plug after you pull it then that is perfectly fine.  The drain plug drains the engine compartment area.  Sorry, I'm just trying to grasp what area the water is going into.

[alex]

Thanks for yr reply Dream 'Inn.

The water is going backwards, while washing the engine and is coming out from the hole, after i pull out the plug metallic.

Since the metallic plug is actually plugging the engine compartment, then you are absolutely right. It is normal.

I thought that this plug had to do with the watertight compartment. Most probably i was wrong. Right?

sorry for any confusion caused.
 

 Alex

[Dream 'Inn]

You are right, that plug is there to allow you the ability to drain out your bilge area, especially for those that keep them on the trailer.  You remove it each time after hauling out allowing water for somewhere to drain.  It's especially important when keeping on a trailer for long term (ie, over winter).

[merwin10]

Hi Alex -

On most boats that have water tight compartments they also have a molded in pipe that services the forward bildge! Remember the anchor rode locker is expected to have some water as the rode is wet when it is stored. that water needs to get to the back of the boat some how - that how is the molded in pipe! So don't get concerned unless you actually see water in the watertight compartment!

Mike - 

[Spacelord]

Hi Alex -

On most boats that have water tight compartments they also have a molded in pipe that services the forward bildge! Remember the anchor rode locker is expected to have some water as the rode is wet when it is stored. that water needs to get to the back of the boat some how - that how is the molded in pipe! So don't get concerned unless you actually see water in the watertight compartment!

Mike - 

Doesn't the anchor compartment drain out the bow somewhere?

[Talon]

Not typically. They normally drain through bulkheads and down to the bilge.