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250WBCB Companion Way Leaking

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bmcgucke
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/05/2003 : 10:07:38

All, I have had my 250 Hull 448 in a wet slip for 3.5 years with no problems. After 3 months of inattention, the cabin became flooded up to the level of the seat cushions. It looks like this was rainwater that leaked through the companion way hatch, but I want to make sure. Is it possible for the water ballast to leak into the cabin? Has anyone else had a problem with this much leaking of rain water through the hatch? Thanks.

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DavidCardoza
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2003 : 13:09:15

That seems like way too much water to be coming through the hatch. I've found that religous use of the canvas hatch cover when I leave my boat for any time keeps it dry. Do you have a through hull speed or depth device. If your on the ocean like me check if the water is fresh or salty. But water to the seat cushions from the hatch in only 3 months sounds unlikely.

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bill bosworth
Navigator

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USA
172 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2003 : 13:23:50

One thing that you might want to check is the chain locker drain. If it is plugged, the chain locker will fill and water will enter by way of the front hatch. The recess around the front hatch drains into the chain locker. I had to replace the through hull fitting for the chain locker because it cracked. Even that small leak from the crack let in quite a bit of water.
I did get a very small, but very anoying amout of water from the main hatch. I fixed the problem by removing the plexiglass hatch, and cutting a shallow saw kerf (about 1/8" wide and 1/8" deep) on all four sides of the hatch. I made the cuts about 3/8" in from the edges. The purpose was to cause a drip edge. I observed that during a rain storm some amount of water was creaping in along the underside of the plexiglass. The saw kerfs caused the water to dip off into the drains or down the front of the conpanionway board. Good luck, water sure does belong on the outside of a boat!
Bill c250wb #134 Serendipity

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2003 : 14:54:55

I also have a C250 W.B. and have followed Arlyn's threads
very close, one area you might check is the water ballast inlet/outlet
valve, if that seal leaks, it is possible for water to seep around the seal where the valve stem goes through the sub-floor right below the handle. Also as Arlyn says the balance of the boat affects draining of the cabin top drains, not to far forward and not to far back when at the dock. You should check his web site for better info than I can give you. As Bill said though it is very important to keep that anchor locker drain clear of debri. This subject has been discussed before. Have you checked previous threads on this subject?
If you look in the C-250 owners manual you can see how the water ballast inlet/outlet valve could let water in to the cabin if both
seals leaked. Good Luck---"Bear" on Brandy C-250 WB "089"

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2003 : 16:32:27

Wow....thats a lot of water and puts new meaning to the term water ballasted. I gotta agree with Bill and Bear... if its rain water...most of it likely came in the forward hatch because of a plugged anchor locker drain.

However, it just doesn't seem possible that much would come in as the forward hatch has a weather strip that would preclude a large flow during any given rain shower. The hatch dogs would have to be very loose or the weather strip in bad shape.

We had a post a few years ago that was a little similar... except I think it was a keel boat on the hard. In that instance, his boat was shrink wrapped for the winter... and when he uncovered in the spring, there were several inches of water on the cabin sole... but mildew covered everything inside.

I think its more likely that the water is not fresh and that it came in via an unsealed or poorly sealed ballast valve. I think but am not sure however, that the valve rod hole is slightly above the water line. Water will come into the bilge from a bad seal here...but I'm thinking it takes some boat heel to cause that.

My guess is one of two scenarios. It may be...that you experienced a chain reaction... that enough rain water came in to raise the water line to the top of the valve rod...and then water started coming in thru the ballast tank. Or, there is a leak at the tank vent hose connection which is likely below the water line.

A remote possibility is that the tank was penetrated somewhere or has a leak. One poster reported a leaking tank and discovered that a screw that had been used for a porti pot hold down had barely made its way into the tank.

The ballast tank valve should be checked for a smooth surface. Its been reported here several times that a bottom job fouled the valve. The valve rod seal is subject to failure also. Some valve rods were installed on a curved area of the tank riser and this problem should be fixed by building up a flat shoulder for the gasket to seal against. And of course, the valve should be closed with enough force to make a good seal on both the valve and shaft.

There is something else that needs to be said... your post of this problems is very helpful in raising an awareness of the cautions necessary to slipping or mooring a water ballast model. Its probable that your post may save others a similar fate. Thanks for sharing your dilema. My best wishes that the clean up etc. goes as easy as possible.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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bmcgucke
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2003 : 17:31:26

Thanks all for the helpful replies. It does appear that a fair amount of rainwater is leaking in through the companionway hatch, however, the main source of the flooding was the ballast tank. The tank valve was inadvertently left in the open position. It looks like a significant amount of water was forced into the cabin through the valve, while the lake level was being raised.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2003 : 17:59:45

I think what your saying is.... the dock lines were snug on non floating bollards and when the lake rose... the boat was held down causing the water line to rise above the valve shaft hole which isn't very far above the boats normal water line... ouch.

Consider taking up a collection for new glasses for the marina staff.<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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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.