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Water in the Bulkhead

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superbob
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USA
200 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/22/2010 : 13:01:01

We've had several high wind/high wave action storms in California (October and January) which has allowed water into the battery storage/ rudder connection to wheel steering bulkhead. It seems that the rubber boot covering the link between the rudder and steering cables is not water tight. Consequently ater that gets into the bulkhead runs under the vinyl beading on the forward bulkhead wall and gets the queen mattress wet(which as since been removed for the winter). It's not a lot of water to deal with but it does create moisture in the cabin.

As this happens only during major storms I suppose it's no big deal.

Any suggestions?

Bob Watson (Skipper and not a deckhand!)

Sparkle Plenty on Whiskeytown Lake CA
Catalina 250/WK

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2010 : 14:01:55

I'd just stick a towel back there to absorb any water that gets in. I've never had any seepage in that area but if you are getting wave action against the transom I see how it could happen. Is your steering arm rubber gasket in good shape? A friend of mine replaced his.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2010 : 14:14:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by superbob
 
Bob Watson (Skipper and not a deckhand!)

Sparkle Plenty on Whiskeytown Lake CA
Catalina 250/WK
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Bob, don't be offended by the "Deckhand" designation it's just a reflection of the number of posts on this forum. God knows I'm not a "Master Marine Consultant", I just yak a lot.

Edited by - John Russell on 01/22/2010 14:15:15

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2010 : 15:39:33

Hey Bob, A fix for this problem was posted a few years back by Oscar VanLovern. It detailed drilling a hole through the fiberglass ridge between the compartment and the bilge under the berth. Be sure to make the hole parallel to the boat bottom to avoid a hole in the boat.

Disclaimer.... this was done on a water ballast model. I'd take a very hard look to determine the same result for a wing keel.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 01/22/2010 15:41:49

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2010 : 16:07:51

Unless it's a large amount of water, I think I'd go the towel route instead of drilling a limber hole. A viscose towel can soak up an enormous amount of water relative to it's own weight and a large one can be had from REI or other outfitter's stores for less than $20. It's easy to put the towel into the tray behind the battery access panel and check it after a storm to wring it out. There are obvious downsides if you allow it to sit there wet, so this wouldn't be a good solution for a boat that's not regularly checked, but it seems awfully easy to drill through the hull by accident, and that could always be your fall back solution if the towel(s) doesn't work. I'd also wedge a towel into the gap that's allowing the water to get in to slow down the progress.

Oh, and I'm hardly a "Master Marine Consultant" either, just gregarious.

Edited by - delliottg on 01/22/2010 16:09:16

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2010 : 08:35:31

I recently had to replace the pin that connects the rudder arm to the control wires of the Edson Steering system (the pin siezed in the arm and so would not rotate as the arm swung from either side. So the control cable connectors broke!)

When ordering the replacement pin, I also ordered a replacement rudder arm boot believing that the old one would fail eventually in the Florida Sun.

Bob, what year is your boat?

Paul

I keep an eye on the boot, inspecting it after each recovery. Didn't notice any defects from the outside.
However, the last time I did a battery service, I was in the trunk and could see a pin hole in the boot. So I'll have to replace it soon.

Edited by - on

superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2010 : 13:45:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 I'd just stick a towel back there to absorb any water that gets in. I've never had any seepage in that area but if you are getting wave action against the transom I see how it could happen. Is your steering arm rubber gasket in good shape? A friend of mine replaced his.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Your suggestion brings new meaning to "throwing in the towel". Sounds good to me.

Edited by - on

superbob
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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2010 : 13:47:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 I recently had to replace the pin that connects the rudder arm to the control wires of the Edson Steering system (the pin siezed in the arm and so would not rotate as the arm swung from either side. So the control cable connectors broke!)

When ordering the replacement pin, I also ordered a replacement rudder arm boot believing that the old one would fail eventually in the Florida Sun.

Bob, what year is your boat?

Paul

hi paul:

It's a '99 250. The boot itself is in good condition but your suggestion to check for pin holes is a good one. Thanks.

Bob Watson
Catalina 250/Sparkle Plenty

I keep an eye on the boot, inspecting it after each recovery. Didn't notice any defects from the outside.
However, the last time I did a battery service, I was in the trunk and could see a pin hole in the boot. So I'll have to replace it soon.

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

Edited by - on

superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2010 : 13:49:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arlyn Stewart
 Hey Bob, A fix for this problem was posted a few years back by Oscar VanLovern. It detailed drilling a hole through the fiberglass ridge between the compartment and the bilge under the berth. Be sure to make the hole parallel to the boat bottom to avoid a hole in the boat.

Disclaimer.... this was done on a water ballast model. I'd take a very hard look to determine the same result for a wing keel.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Great suggestion Arlyn but as an old salt once advised me, The fewer holes drilled in any boat the better.

Bob Watson
Catalina 250WK

Edited by - on

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