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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Leak from WB(with pics)

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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/08/2006 : 20:54:52

This past weekend we found we had a leak from the top of the valve stem of the WB tank (around the threaded rod that passes through the tank bulge in the lower cabin step)

Anyone got a clue as to how to fix it?

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - britinusa on 09/09/2006 14:40:39

Arlyn Stewart
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Response Posted - 09/10/2006 : 07:03:55

Paul... looks like it will need some glass work. I'd think remove the ballast valve and get it out of the way. If the crack is restricted to the top area, the fix looks as easy as getting it cleaned up and laying a few layers of glass on.

If you haven't worked with glass before, this is a great place for an introduction as it is a structural rather than a more difficult cosmetic repair.

The crack might be caused by overtightening the ballast valve.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 09/10/2006 : 08:08:12

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">it is a structural rather than a more difficult cosmetic repair.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Good point Arlyn. I think I can handle the glass work. I do have a concern on how to keep the hole for the threaded rod tight. there does not appear to be any kind of sealing, it's just a hole. On our last sail we saw water seeping out of the area (couldn't tell if it was just from the hole or from what looks like a crack . I guess I'll only find out if it's a crack when I sand off the surface.
I expected to find at least a sealing washer there, but there's nothing.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The crack might be caused by overtightening the ballast valve.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
We never put a lot of stress on the handle when closing the valve (If I did, then Peggy would be unable to open it and I'd get a nother memo!) FYI, I'm not sure of the reason for the valve! it's not like the water would drain when afloat, so I guess it is a safety in case the tank leaks.

Paul.

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JohnMD
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Response Posted - 09/10/2006 : 14:54:15

I wonder if a garden hose washer would fit. Don't see what it could hurt. Mine just screws down to the fiberglass. So far, no problems. (oh no, I shouldn't have said that).

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Arlyn Stewart
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Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 06:49:38

It will definately leak without the washer... likely that is all the problem.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 19:07:30

Arlyn,
I was looking at the May 06 Mainsail, and your article on the C250 WB keel lifting mechanics.

From the drawing, it would seem the water level should be below the top of the valve dome under the cabin step!

BTW, well worth the read!
When looking at the drawing, I could not figure out why Catalina ran the block and tackle that way. It seems there are too many 'pulleys' in the system, and the mechanical advantage is lost because the heaving line is pulling the opposite direction of the keel support line. Have you thought about a mod on the lifing tackle?

paul

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Bay Tripper
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Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 20:44:03

I have the same problem with leaking in the same spot. I have found that it stops if I screw the handle down. It seems to stop the preasure in the tank and thus stops the leak.

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raulpou
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Response Posted - 01/02/2007 : 18:35:27

I just sailed for 4 days and found out that I also have the same problem with the water ballast leaking. I found that my rubber "washer/gasket" had broken off! My next step would be to replace it and see what happens. Any other suggestions?

Britinusa, how did you fix it?

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 01/03/2007 : 06:54:25

This weekend, I put two washers between the 'handle' and the 'hump' top washer is plastic (one of the rings from the top of a spindle of CDR's) and the lower one a rubber washer of garden hose variety.
Big improvement when that is scrunched down hard. The moment it is relaxed, water flows out the top when underway.

Paul.

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raulpou
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Response Posted - 01/03/2007 : 15:01:34

"top of a spindle CDR's" ? Sorry, I may be having a brain fart but what do you mean? Also, I am glad you found out what works, it was worrying me quite a bit!

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 01/03/2007 : 21:44:51

If you buy a pack (spindle) of Compact Disk Rewritables (CDRs) they normally come with some plastic spacers at the top of the spindle, basically they're just simple plastic washers.

paul.

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raulpou
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Response Posted - 01/04/2007 : 09:23:39

thanks!

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