I finally had one of those epiphanies...

[Wyoming_White_C]

I finally had one of those epiphanies yesterday where the light bulb goes on above your head.  I have been struggling with water constantly in the bilge and trying to find the source.  When I was taking the boat (1896 Sundancer 270) out of the water, I noticed that the bilge pump port was a couple of inches under water when the boat was pulled up onto the trailer on the boat ramp.  I lifted the starboard engine cover and sure enough, water was coming into the bilge through the bilge pump line.  When the boat is sitting level in the water, of course, this port is above the water line so it is not an issue.  The water just comes in when you are launching or loading.  I am going to try sticking a cork in the hole next time I launch and see if it stays dry.  Will report further after I try it.

I am just posting this as a "heads up" for anyone else who may have the same problem.

[wingless]

It is always good to keep a camera handy to snap those floating-over-the-head light bulb moments.

Make the cork the ignition key fob so it doesn't remain installed by mistake.

The factory put check valves onto all my bilge pump hoses, to limit the drain-back when the pump finishes running. The downside to those valves is getting the pump primed takes effort, unlike no-valve always works.