2001SuperAirNautique - new to me...question about wet carpet in bow

[Fidget247]

Hi. I just bought a used SAN (2001 year) and it's been in the barn for the last week. The carpet in the bow, under the bow seats, is still soaking wet. Can someone help me understand how the hull is constructed that water can get up there? Is it coming from the stern? The hull plug is out and the boat has been drained (up and down hills for an hour). Any advise or insight for me? Many thanks.

[Phil8uga]

It sounds like you have already done this, but make sure the front of the boat is not lower than the rear drain. When driving on the hills you may not have gotten all of the water out. My recommendation would be to raise the front as high as you can or have the boat hooked up to your vehicle on a steep hill and let it drain. I think that should get everything out. If not, I look forward to the other comments. Post some pics of the boat!


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[vanhanbr]

I think there is a drain in the floor of the bow that drains to the bilge area through the ski locker. If the bilge is not empty and you trailer it down hill water could flow in there. The fact that it took an hour to drain your boat makes me think a few things could be wrong: 1) your bilge pump(s) might not be working 2) water is getting in boat from leaking hose or fitting. (3) Dirt could be blocking drain in bow or ski locker keeping it from draining.

That area on my old boat didn't dry out the best, I usually used a carpet extractor or shop vac to dry it out.

[Rusty Barras]

I had this problem on mine. ended up ripping the carpet out completely to allow better drainage. just painted the floor. worked better for sac addition anyway. I think the factory drain is a bit flawed. The drain is in the very front of the compartment, so when it's elevated, water flows away from it. One of these days, I'm going to put two new drains towards the rear of the compartment on each side.

[bscott]

Does your boat have a heater? Maybe the heater core cracked and that's where the water is coming from.

[beamons]

I have an '04 and it also has trouble drying out in the front. Mine won't dry very well if the cover is on or more importantly the cushions are in place or even on top of the compartments. If you had anybody wet sit in the front seats the cushions retain a significant amount of water. They will continue to leak water out of them until dry. I take my seats out and set them so that one of the seams is on the bottom for at least a day. They eventually leak out the water. I live in an arid climate so this might not be enough time for someone in a more humid environment. I can tell they are dry inside because they are significantly lighter when dry.
Also to Van and Rusty's point the drain system up there is close to pathetic. There is not enough actual opening to move water through so the drains to me are almost just for appearance.

[Infinity]

I run a fan in my boat anytime it gets wet....take cushions out, shop vac or use towel to get most of moisture out and then run a fan overnight. Will guarantee you dont have any mildew smell after the fact

[2001SAN]

+1 on the shop vac. Good for general cleaning as well as drying carpet etc. Gets the last drops of water out of the bilge if you are fussy (like me).

D

[t.franscioni]

If you have the ice chest compartment under the side boat cushion like the 2002 SAN does then that ice chest drains directly onto the carpet in the bow. Not sure if your using that ice chest or if you even have it in the 01. Also the belly tank vent and drain come out the side of the hill if those hose to those drain and vent locations come loose or leak it could be be pouring water into your bow carpet area. Like mentioned above athe heater also is in that area and if leaking will flood the bow area. That bow floor carpet area is above the bildge so I doubt your issue is storing the boat nose low and because if water from budge did run up to the bow it would stay in the bildge which is underneath the bow floor carpet area. Check those hoses if it's significantly wet up there all the time after use.

[JD ski]

I found with my 1999 if I did not remove the seat cushions in the bow after any moisture from bathing suits or for any other reason water got up front, I would still find moist areas mainly under the seat cushions and in storage compartments a week later. I was opening up the other compartments for breathing but not always removing the bow cushions. Now even if someone was just lounging with wet trunks on in the bow area, I will remove the bow cushions. Good luck

[Fidget247]

All. I so greatly appreciate the insight and advise. Thanks for taking the time. I'm a new-be with all of this, so thanks for your patience. A couple specific questions:
1. Does the super-lame drain in the blow under the seats drain outside the boat, or does it drain to the bilge in the rear?
2. Where can I find/access the heater core some of you referenced. I'm thinking that could be my problem
3. What does that plastic oval vent looking thing, with slats in it, just below the side port front window do? Mine appears to have a film behind the slats, with some tears in it.
Thanks a million!
Randy

[t.franscioni]

1. Drains into the bildge. If you pour water down that drain and open the belly ski locker hatch the water will run into that part of the boat which is the bildge.
2. Heater core is behind the driver kick panel. The kick panel is that carpeted vertical panel where your breakers are located.
3. That's your horn....beep beep