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Water in bilge

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Hydrotherapy
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/05/2003 : 18:02:32

I haul my 1978 Catalina 25 (swing keel) out in December and let it stay on my trailer for the winter. Before launching it in the Spring (usually late March) I examine the hull bottom and keel for any neede repairs, and bottom paint about every three years.
For the first few days after launching about 2 to 3 inches of water seeps into the bilge, especially under the port side dinette seats. After those initial days the seepage stops.
I have checked the depth sounder hull thru fitting, no leak there. I have put sealer in the four keel pin bolt holes to prevent leakage there.
Anyone have any ideas on how water gets in during the first days after launch?
Dave Stanfield

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2003 : 18:29:19

Hmmmmm... A classic characteristic of wooden hulls, but... <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle> So let's see, is there any wood that would leak a little till it swells up? Do you have wood backing blocks for anything going through the hull?

A good way to sleuth out leaks is to draw chalk lines perpendicular to the suspected paths of the water to wherever you're finding it, and look for spots where the chalk washed away.

That's all I've got...

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

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2003 : 19:29:56

When your boat is on the hard is it covered and does it rain. If not covered and rained on a boat can collect water in deck and cabin areas between and in the core. Once the boat is set in the water it may be sitting at a slighty diferent angle and the water might drain from its place of rest. It may also be leaking through a too hull fitting. Get some sidewalk chalk like kids play with. Draw a circle around all the fittings. Where the chalk is washed away will tell you who is the offending fitting. There are many places for water to enter. Ive also seen it come in from the anchor locker drain tube. Locker fills up with bow high. Boat set in water bow level. Water enters tube and tube leaks resulting in water in the bilge. If its mostly port side I would suspect migration from the core.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2003 : 21:25:40

Yes, suggest attention to anchor locker. On Orion, had to make little fiberglass dams around nav lite cutouts, and drill out drain and put in a 3/8 plastic tube with epoxy slurry to drain the locker. Chalk a great help, eventually will close up nav lite eyes and move lites to the bow pulpit, on the LIST, good luck ron srsk #2343 Orion 1981 SW FL

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2003 : 23:37:55

The anchor locker is a common source, but in ours, any water from there is trapped under the v-berth.

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

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 00:56:18

Dave,

My guess is the seepage has stopped because the silt that hangs suspended in the water has plugged the small leak thats in your hull.

Water accumulation on port side sounds very much like a small leak in the forward part of the keel trunk--specifically the area where the keel "head" swings up into during lowering of the keel. If the keel was dropped/lowered/boat-ran-over-underwater-obstacle, etc, the stern part of the trunk "head" would have hairline fractures.

If your boat is in sea water, taste the water for salinity (or test using a hygrometer -- http://www.marinedepot.com/a_tk_esha.asp?CartId=) to verify hull leak vs. rain leak.

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
<i>Abacus'</i>: http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

Edited by - albert on 03/06/2003 00:58:13

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 09:33:17

Hi Dave,

Since you have a dinette layout & swing keel, I think you might have a through-hull for the speed impeller next to the forward end of the keel trunk ... it's under the settee that parallels the bulkhead between the main cabin and the head ... yes? You might check that for leaks.

I have an L-shaped original interior ... that is where the speed impeller is in my boat. The reason I brought it up is because mine leaked when I first put my boat in the water, and the leak seems to have slowed over time ... 'don't know why, except maybe algae or dirt gets in there over time and slows down any leaking ... ?

Good luck ... be sure to let us know what you find out!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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Hydrotherapy
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 21:37:10

Thanks for the suggestion of using chalkmarks around suspect areas.The speed impeller on my boat is located aft of the keel trunk, so I'll mark that area as well. Dave

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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.