Hourston 23 question

[Drewl]

A question for you Hourston owners. I have a 79 23ft, under the center floor hatch there is a screw in plug that says water on it. What is the function of this hole? Where does it drain to or how does it fill? Thanks for any relies.

 

[Hookin'up]

I cant answer that directly but why not call them, they are just in North Van

 

[casper5280]

I too have a 23 ft Hourston. When you say "under the center floor hatch" where do you mean. Don't mean to sound like a dumb butt but just not sure where you mean. Right outside my cabin door is my fuel tank that has a removable floor cover. Than there is a short floor cover just before the engine cover. Than the doghouse and motor. nowhere is there a "a screw in plug that says water on it" Wish I could help you.

 

[Drewl]

I don't have a cabin door as the boat has been customized somewhat. No wall all open to bulkhead. So the hatch would be just as you enter the cabin. I'm wondering if its the water tank as there is a filler cap on the starboard side that's not used.

 

[casper5280]

Yes my water fill is on the starboard side and the tank is behind the icebox(about a 10 gallon tank) Where is your fuel tank if it is not were mine is?

 

[Drewl]

Fuel tank is a 40 gal. in floor just forward of the engine. Batteries and fuel are under the same hatch with a partition between. Batteries forward then the hatch with the mystery hole. My watertank is just a 5 gallon jug with a submersible pump in it sitting under the sink.

 

[casper5280]

Drewl you got me. Your set-up sounds similar to mine. The one thing I would change on yours thou is the batteries under the floor, mine are at the very back mounted a little higher then the floor were on water can get at them.
Just thinking about your boat do you have a wash down pump it may be that that tank is for fresh water for the wash down pump. Just guessing what it may be. Did you pull the plug to see what is in the tank or does it just go to the outside of your boat?

 

[Peahead]

Batteries and fuel are under the same hatch .

.......Kaboom !

 

[casper5280]

Yes Peahead that was what I was just thinking, but you beat me to it.

 

[Drewl]

Casper5280, no washdown pump and the plug goes to a compartment. It's like there is room between the lower floor and the v part of the hull. There is water in there. I sucked out 4 or 5 gallons of water with a wet/dry vacuum. Its coming in from some where. The only thing I can think of is water enters from around the leg, maybe seal is gone or......
I'm not worried about the batteries being where they are, 10ft away from fuel vent, and the filler is at the stern and vent there also. The engine is more apt to create spark then batteries and its closer to fuel.

 

[casper5280]

My batteries are directly below the fuel filler hose and that is the way Hourston build them. Your motor should have a spark arrester on it and all your electronics should be marine grade so that they do not allow sparks. Below the floor I would be worried that the batteries could flood and loose power so that my pumps would not work or anything else for that matter. This hole in your floor would be very worrisome to me. If that area is not sealed properly your stringers are subject to rot. I would get a threaded plastic plug that you could insert a air fitting to and add a bit of pressure to it. Then get a spray bottle with some soapy water and start spraying it around and look for leaks. 4 or 5 gallons is quite a bit of water. I wish you luck on fixing your problem. If you are in the Victoria area and wish to see how mine is set-up PM me mine is sitting on the trailer and you can get a good look inside and out under it.