Association Forum - taking on water...

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

taking on water...

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 10:16:02

One method to try and locate the leak might work like this. Dry as much of the areas that you can get too with a wet-dry vac, towels etc. Then use an electricians fish tape, wrap and tie a paper towel to the end. Feed the tape in different directions under the cabin sole and maybe from the v-berth. When the paper towel comes back damp you would know, or at least have an idea, what direction it is coming in from. Might be worth a try.

Edited by - on

Jefffriday
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 10:21:49

Find it and fix it, with a small leak you might not catch a new one that could be the begining of something really wrong. I put in an automatic bilge pump even though my boat has always been bone dry. I also carry a toilet bowl wax ring in a plastic bag in case of a problem out on the water (It is a really good short term fix to get you home)Others have suggested chalk lines across suspected areas (you can see where water runs across) that may narrow it down, start with a line around the bilge, at least you will know which end it is coming from.. Good luck!

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 11:12:57

FWIW, I've heard that dry-erase markers work well for finding leaks as well. Draw a line around where you think the leak's coming from after you've drained & dried everything well. Check back in a couple of hours, and any leaks will show up as streaks through the line(s) you've drawn.

I'd want to fix it as well. My bilge has always been pretty dry, and never any accumulation (so far). Nevertheless probably my first project of next winter will be an electric bilge pump.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 13:19:53

My boat takes on water occasionally. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to when it shows up in the keel sump. I check it every time I go down to the boat and sometimes it's got a little water, sometimes it's dry (Doesn't seem to matter if it's rained or not).

Sometimes it's dry when I leave the dock and there will be a little water when I get back and other times it will be dry when I get back.

No matter what it never seems to be more than maybe a cup of water.

The last time I went out it was blowing 12 gusting to 20 and I almost had the rail in the water a several times so I'm beginning to wonder if one of my leaks might be up under the rub rail.

Edited by - GaryB on 04/29/2008 13:22:14

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 13:27:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 
The last time I went out it was blowing 12 gusting to 20 and I almost had the rail in the water a several times so I'm beginning to wonder if one of my leaks might be up under the rub rail.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If your rub rail has never been replaced, there is a good chance that is where your water is coming from.

The track for the rub rail is held on by a sheet metal screw every 5 or 6 inches. Even if Frank Butler used Caulk - (and we all know the great Catalina Caulk shortage of California was going on when our boats were built) - it would have worn away by now.

Do you have any through hulls open when you sail?

After having a Catalina 25 that was always a little wet Here are my top 10 Incoming water areas (in no order) that don't have to do with Damage/cracks/major structural repair.

1 - Cabin Windows
2 - Deck hardware
3 - Rub Rail
4 - Cockpit Speakers
5 - Open through Hull while underway (needs the right conditions, but I've seen it happen)
6 - Stored Water - Water that was came in through one of the other ways but was hidden up under somewhere while on the hard. A different low point in the water causes it to appear.
7. Jib Tracks
8. Head Vent
9. Bad cockpit drain hose connection
10. Hatch Board shrinkage

Edited by - Champipple on 04/29/2008 13:37:21

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 13:42:10

But Duane, the thru-hull is the only one in your Top Ten that could be putting salt water in Jerry's bilge.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 04/29/2008 13:43:23

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 13:50:00

I keep thinking this is somehow connected to the swing keel...don't know why but I do...

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 13:56:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I keep thinking this is somehow connected to the swing keel...don't know why but I do...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think you're right. Therefore, You most likely need to dismantle whatever has to be dismantled to get a look at your swing keel housing.

I have the tradional interior, which makes access much easier. If I were in your situation, I'd be asking the Dinette interior guys for advice on the best way to get at the keel housing.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 14:06:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 But Duane, the thru-hull is the only one in your Top Ten that could be putting salt water in Jerry's bilge.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You've never had a wave crash over anything? or put the rail in the water?

I think it's keel trunk damage too - just giving as many options as possible for him to check before he hauls her.

TO Jerry's point about cutting access holes into the sole - We had two in the cabin sole that we but inspection ports on when done. I don't think we were actually able to get one close enough to see the keel trunk.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 15:56:04

I thought I posted last night, but I guess not. I think talc sprinkled lightly over all areas of the thoroughly dried bilge that you can access is the best way to search of a leak. Add a flashlight and mechanic's mirror to your tool box. You don't need to guess where it is coming from. Even a remote location will give you a track that provides a direction to investigate. The keel is a popular spot to suggest because it is a serious issue if it is the source. I would want to make every effort to find the source before tearing things up to check the keel housing and finding that that isn't it. While the keel housing would be a very big deal, there are more common locations for leaks and less damaging to rule out. Water can even run along the underside of the liner before dripping into the bilge.

You might also check the through hull for the lifting cable and its hose.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 04/29/2008 16:03:36

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 15:59:31

I'd like to thank everyone for the great support, insights and genuine concern. I think we've pretty much beat this one to death. I'll keep everyone posted on how this plays out.
MANY THANKS, YOU GUYS ROCK!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 16:26:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 But Duane, the thru-hull is the only one in your Top Ten that could be putting salt water in Jerry's bilge.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You've never had a wave crash over anything? or put the rail in the water?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Two gallons a day is a lot of wave crashing for a boat sitting on a mooring in Peconic Bay.

BTW, Jerry, Marinas will start getting very busy launching as we get into May, and won't be interested in letting your boat hang in their lift. Sooner is probably better. Best of luck!

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.