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Ice box fills with sea water

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tiller
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/18/2002 : 14:57:19

HI my name is Bob. i have owned my 1982 Catalina 25 for 3 weeks. I have been sailing her as much as possible while still keeping my business afloat. The biggest problems that I have found is leaks. The windows, dampness in the quarter berth and last w/e while sailing I found the ice box filling with sea water. I checked the seacock, found it in the closed position swithched it to the open position it drained. Thinking that was my problem I closed it and continued to sail. While heeling on the port side it filled again, I drained it again, then at the dock I noticed it fill again. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2002 : 16:49:18

Hi Bob... The ice box is a little puzzling--shouldn't fill at the dock unless your boat is half sunk. Could it be water from the sink? Assuming the sink and icebox are hooked up to the same thru-hull, if it isn't flowing well, the sink water can end up in the icebox (since it's lower). If the seacock keeps it from draining, it should keep water from entering from the sea.

Quarterberth dampness can come from rain seepage at the companionway dripping down and migrating under the cushions. I suggest keeping the cushions propped up on the hull liner back there, or you can put something under them that will allow air to pass--somebody makes square plastic grids for that purpose.

The other usual suspects for leaks are the gudgeons (especially the lower one, which is easy to get to), cockpit drains or scuppers, windows (as you've found), genoa track bolts (the nuts are behind the teak trim at the top of the hull liner below), stanchions, and under the V-berth, the anchor locker drain (which can be sealed with a a swipe of caulk around the flange of the tube). There are lots of historical threads on these subjects--you can search for them, or just keep asking as you find more evidence.

I'm shooting for a dry bilge, but haven't gotten there yet. Good luck!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2002 : 19:44:01

You might try jamming a rubber stopper into the drain hole at the bottom of the ice box.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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djones
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2002 : 22:07:58

On my '83 C25, I believe there is a check valve in the drain from the ice box that only allows outbound flow from the box. This stops anything from going back in.

Don Jones
"Swept Away" '83 C25 FK/TR

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2002 : 22:39:43

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...there is a check valve in the drain from the ice box that only allows outbound flow from the box. This stops anything from going back in.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
I have one too... It may have worked once upon a time...

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2002 : 10:36:09

Hi Bob,

If your icebox is filling with sea water, it is probably because the check valve is not stopping inflow of water when you heel hard over to port. If you have the thru-hull valve closed though, you will prevent this from happening.

If though, the water is fresh water and the thru-hull valve was closed, then it's sure possible that water from your fresh water tank has siphoned through the sink faucet when you heeled hard over to port. Again, if the check valve is not working, the water drained from the sink and then up the icebox drain hose into the icebox.

Some time ago, I lost faith in the check valve aboard Snickerdoodle and replaced it with a standard ball valve as I do not put ice in the ice box other than ice that I've frozen inside 1/2 gallon plastic jugs. The ball valve prevents water from rising up the icebox drain hose completely when the valve is closed - but allows the icebox to drain when I've cleaned icebox with water.

However, this all having been said, it is also possible to have the thru-hull valve closed and the ball valve closed and still get fresh water in the icebox in heavy weather. Sailing in 35 knot winds on this past Labor Day Sunday, I had water flowing along the port side deck and port side cabin windows frequently for about four and a half hours (double reefed mainsail and blade jib up - close hauled). Unknown to me, water was siphoning from the fresh water tank into the sink and since both valves were closed, the sink filled and then overflowed into the icebox. When the icebox was full, the water then flowed over into the cabin compartments and carpeted floor. With hatchboards in, we didn't see any problems until my Dad went below to get a drink of water. Boy did he have water!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2002 : 11:50:37

I never thought about the fresh water tank idea. . . thanks, guys.

The check valve in my icebox drain clearly was not working, so I thought I would pull and replace it. Right. Either Catalina has tiny elves installing the plumbing, or it's all connected before the stove unit is put in place.

So. . . I can witness to effectiveness and affordability of a rubber stopper from the hardware store. I find the "icebox" pretty worthless as an icebox. It's much better for storing pots and pans and cooking equipment or even dry goods (with silica gel packets to control dampness). For an icebox, I use a portable cooler.

Brooke

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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.