water in ballast pump compartment

[vancelg]

I'm a new Malibu owner (20' Wakesetter VTX). Was out dragging a couple of kids on tubes when I took a low wave over the bow as I was de-accelerating and caught a bunch of water into the boat. I opened the compartment hatch on the floor immediately to the left of the driver's seat (the ballast pump compartment). The water flowed down into the compartment. I then turned on the bilge pump, expecting the water to drain from the ballast pump compartment to the bilge (high to low) and then to get pumped out. OOPS. This does not seem to be happening.

Questions:

1) Was it a mistake to open the compartment door and let water drain? How do you normally get water out of the boat? My previous boat drained directly into the bilge via scuppers but I haven't noticed any such arrangement on my wakesetter.

2) Is there any special way to get water out of the compartment or do I need to lower a pump?

3) Is there any chance that I've damaged the ballast pumps by admitting water to the compartment?

Thanks in advance.

[Bill_AirJunky]

Regardless of whether or not you open that compartment, the water is going down there anyway. It just finds a way. The lowest point in the boat when your sitting still is just forward of that hatch so the water will gather there. Once you accelerate a little & the bow goes up, the water will move back to where the bilge pump is near the engine. Then you can pump it out.

It's normal for there to be some water in there, just not tons.

Edited June 7, 2010 by Bill_AirJunky

[vancelg]

thanks much Bill - appreciate the quick answer.