Association Forum - Thru-hull locations on WB C250

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Thru-hull locations on WB C250

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mowrangler
1st Mate

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USA
66 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/20/2012 : 21:08:46

I have been struggling a bit to keep the bilge on my C250 dry since launching it a few weeks back. In reading through some posts I seem to find some conflicting information on where the thru-hulls should be located and thought I'd reach out to see what everyone else has done.

On page 25 of the manual hosted here, "Useful tip #7" says "Through hulls for a depth sounder or knot-meter may be installed thru the hull in the square recess in the water tank under the aft berth." However, the tech tips has a picture of a square recess on "Miracle Max" that says "beneath the forward bunk, under the cabin table storage."

Four winds currently has a set of transducers under the aft bunk, but it appears they are not in any kind of organized square recess, and the access panels were afterthoughts by one of her previous owners.

For those of you with water ballast C250's, where are your transducers located?

Thanks as always,

Ross

Ross B
95 Catalina 250 WB #29
Moving up to 90 Catalina 28 in June 2015
Four Winds
Spokane, MO

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2012 : 01:22:22

The intended area by design is the recessed area under the V berth. That of course does not preclude installing them under the aft berth. I've a seacock installed under the aft berth and it has done fine there.

As to a wet bilge on the W/B model, there are three primary causes. The first is a leaking gasket at the ballast valve shaft. Because the top of the valve shaft is above the water line, the leak happens while the boat is heeled.

The second is a rush of water from the center board cable tube which happens when launching or during rapid reverse.

The third is a water ballast tank leak that sometimes occurs along the aft edge of the ballast tank and more rarely at some other location.

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mowrangler
1st Mate

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USA
66 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2012 : 15:32:13

Thanks Arlyn! I recently realized why I am not finding a lot of stuff when I search... it is in the archived section!

That said, I am headed back out to the pier shortly to try to get my bilge working again and to take another look at the transducers. Since they are already in the rear location I guess I am somewhat obligated (by two large holes) to make them work back there. There did not appear to be any sealant on the thru-hulls originally, so I have a feeling that I should just plan on pulling the boat this weekend and resealing. Not what I consider a relaxing weekend in the boat, but what can I do... :)

I'm also going to drop some food color in the water ballast tank as well. I put some sealant on the valve when this started and am sure things are dry there now, but I feel it could be possible there is another leak there. I'm trying to be optimistic in that I think it would be easier to address a leak along the thru hulls, but totally aware that there may be more fun in my future.

Thanks again,

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2012 : 16:04:42

Ross, I'd do the food coloring before pulling the transducers. It is very possible they are properly bedded without any telltale sign of sealant around the edges.

The coloring will tell you quickly if the water is coming from the ballast tank or not and that seems the first piece of confirmation needed.

If confirmed coming from the tank, the next step would be to dry the bilge and note if any further water comes in before the boat is sailed. If so, there is a tank leak at other than the valve shaft unless the boat is slipped in a tidal zone and the dock lines restrict it from rising with the tide.

If the bilge tank is leaking, according to several accounts on the forum, the most likely place is at the aft edge of the tank and repairable with a modest amount of effort and sometimes done through the bilge access.

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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.