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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Water in Bilge

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/30/2004 : 01:45:12

Noeta has had very small amounts of water in the bilge and the area inside the port locker (under the stove area) a few times this year. She's been bone dry for the few years we've owned her, and I can't find any reason she'd leak now. The only thing that's changed in the past few years has been our sailing.

First year or so we were very timid sailers, but we increasingly sail the boat healed over a bit. I'm wondering about the integrity of the hull to deck joints, and if it's common for them to leak a little.

How many of you have a little water (<1 cup) in your bilge after a good sail? Where could it be coming from? Should I worry and start tearing things apart to chase it down?

Doug - #1913 Noeta

Edited by - on

Mark Loyacano
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 06:55:17

I chased a similar leak for awhile. When I learned, on this forum, about leaks that occur through areas behind the rubrail. I sealed it up and no more leaks (there). I should have removed it, sealed any drill holes and so forth, but instead just sealed its edges. Next time I'll remove it and do it the better way.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 08:51:11

Water could be coming in through the transom vents that sit flush with the deck and when you sail more aggressively the water may be getting all the way down the hose and into the area below the stove. I made a stainless steel plate that covers the lower inch of the vent opening so water can't flow directly in as it makes its way along deck.

Edited by - dlucier on 04/30/2004 09:01:03

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 09:03:29

Is the water salt or brakish where you sail? Taste it (the stuff in the locker)...when sailing a bit more spirited the potable water gets sloshed into places it normally doesn't go....there could be a path there...

Finally, don't let it bug you...(I suspect you are AR like me..

)
A dry boat is like perfection, you strive for it but 99% is 'bout as far as you're going to get, if you're lucky, 'specially when your sailing starts to get more "sporting" and the admiral thinks you want to be a submarine captain...

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay in Venice Inlet, Florida USA.

Edited by - Oscar on 04/30/2004 09:07:41

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 10:57:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Oscar
 ....when sailing a bit more spirited the potable water gets sloshed into places it normally doesn't go....there could be a path there...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oscar brings up a good point...On my boat the potable water tank is used primarily for ballast and little else. With a full tank and a moderate heel, water will leak out of the vent hole on the tank cap. To keep this from happening, I have placed a piece of duct tape over the hole.

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 13:08:29

A little water in the bilge is ok, in fact it's a common fact of sailing. If you try to chase down every leak you'll go nuts. I try to take care of the ones that drip on me while I'm sleeping.

Many years ago, in my late teens and early 20's we still had Robidoux the 1907 Swampscott dory built by my great uncle. Nearly 70 years old the bunks were a little short so inevitably a hand or arm would rest on the floorboard below the bunk. This was a good thing. your arm acted as a bilge alarm. As the water crept over the floor boards the wet arm would awaken me and I would rise to pump her out. It was usually about the same time I needed to take a leak so the leaky saliboat had good timing. Any one who has sailed a wooden boat will tell you a cup of water in the bilge is nothing to worry about.

Edited by - on

Raskal
Navigator

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USA
162 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 16:34:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Is the water salt or brakish where you sail? Taste it (the stuff in the locker)...when sailing a bit more spirited the potable water gets sloshed into places it normally doesn't go...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I'll bet John V.'s daddy would have taken him to the woodshed if he'da found him "tasting the stuff in the locker" and "sailing more spirited" after getting "sloshed into places it normally doesn't go"...

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How many of you have a little water (<1 cup) in your bilge after a good sail?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sure!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">On my boat the potable water tank is used primarily for ballast and little else.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Here here! That's what I'm talking about...

Rich K.

Edited by - Raskal on 04/30/2004 16:57:14

mmac
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 16:44:28

I used to have water all over the boat until I resealed my windows last year. It's been dry ever since.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 16:49:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">the wet arm<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">about the same time I needed to take a leak<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay in Venice Inlet, Florida USA.

Edited by - Oscar on 04/30/2004 16:50:15

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 19:31:56

When Silver Girl was commissioned in 1983 I had a mysterious "leak" which from time to time left me with a few inches in the bilge after a heavy rainfall. It turned out that the dealer installed my bilge pump through hull outlet directly under the port scupper and didn't install the hose with a loop above the outlet so rain drained from my deck, out the scupper, into the bilge pump outlet and down into the bilge. I installed a longer hose and looped it well above the through hull outlet (to which I added a ball valve for added protection while sailing rail down) and my bilge has been bone dry since.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2004 : 19:31:58

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2004 : 00:36:39

You know I never thought about that summer camp water trick, but come to think of it the two events on the old robidoux would have to go together. "hand in the water next thing you know you gotta go.."

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