Association Forum - Mysteries of the Forward Bilge (Dinette)

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

Mysteries of the Forward Bilge (Dinette)

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

dacc
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
40 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/21/2012 : 23:02:52

Hello Board,

I'm getting maybe a liter of water every month in the forward bilge, which seems to be completely isolated from the rest of the boat. This is the part of the bilge under the head area (although my boat has no head, and an extended V-birth instead). My boat does have one of those screw in caps that give you limited access, but that's it.

I know there's water collecting because I lost the cap, so after sailing there's a bunch of water in the cabin from heeling to port bringing it through the maybe 3" diameter access.

I'm trying to find the source of some water that ends up where the holding tank would be. The compression post is exposed there, and my theory is that it's wicking water from the forward bilge, because the thru-hull has no streaks and the exposed wood is always wet.

One repair idea is to simply drive any water out of the exposed post with acetone, soak it in epoxy, and wrap it with cloth. However, if the wood is exposed to water on the forward bilge side, then I'm just covering up the problem. Does anyone know what it looks like behind there?

Thanks for any advice,

- Dan

"Windhorse" 1978 Catalina 25
Std Rig, Swing Keel, Pop Top

Edited by - on

Tomas Kruska
Admiral

Members Avatar

Czech Republic
522 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 02:11:45

There could be many ways how the water gets there.
For example I had and thru-deck bolted blocks near mast step which leaked when I bought my C25. Brown water was almost everywhere on very strange places and it took over a year since I resealed all leaks when the water stops dripping from the cabin ceiling.
Water in the wood last for very long time when not properly dried. Don't forget that the laminate on your boat has a marine plywood core on many structural places.

From your pictures I see that there is some wiring to the mast? If so, check if its properly sealed. Silicon sealant is the worst you can ever use on the boat. Use polysulfide caulk or butyl tape.

I don't have wires in the compression post so its dry. Also I don't think the water is coming from the V-berth area.

My recommendation is to check or better reseal all bolts and connectors and leave the wood open and let it dry. However if the wood is very soft then its already rotten and needs to be replaced. There is no cheaper cure for that.

Edited by - Tomas Kruska on 05/22/2012 02:12:50

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 05:57:00

When I had water there it ended up being a broken hose between the anchor locker and the thru hull.

Edited by - on

Tomas Kruska
Admiral

Members Avatar

Czech Republic
522 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 06:13:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 When I had water there it ended up being a broken hose between the anchor locker and the thru hull.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Model '78 does not have that gadget :-)

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 07:18:45

Draw a blue chalk line below the wiring, and all the way around the storage compartment. If it streaks, that will show you where it is coming from. Meanwhile, put a small fan (say 4-6") down there and run it constantly to try and dry out the compression post. Could also use a small heater set toi fan only.

Edited by - dmpilc on 05/22/2012 11:23:51

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 09:05:50

A good source for a leak is the forward port window. It could be leaking rain water. This water can travel down between the the outer shell and inner liner and end up in that area. I think David's idea of using chalk to circle the area is a good starting point. You can use a hose to wet down the deck and verify if any water is intruding.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 10:39:16

Dave, There's no hose on a 78, His anchor locker has the drain hole out the front. Your 89 had the hose and exited out the side. A nicer set up.

Edited by - islander on 05/22/2012 10:41:33

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 11:28:55

Also, in the corner where the keel pivot pin is, dry that corner completely and place a sheet of folded up paper towel in that corner. Come back in 2 days and check to see if it is wet. If it is you may have a thru the hull leak around the pivot pin. Good luck!

Edited by - dmpilc on 05/22/2012 11:29:57

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 19:57:12

If the compression post has been compromised by water, and is in the process of rotting, the cabin-top mast step is only relying upon the structural strength of the fiberglass. This could be a very dangerous condition.
You may wish to inspect the compression post, it's mounting points in the bilge and the supporting structures underneath the mast step. Many have recommended Git-Rot to remedy deterioration of the compression post, and shoring it up with extra supports bolted onto the bottom.

Edited by - on

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.