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Catalina 250 Specific Forum

following seas...

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/02/2004 : 07:47:52

This weekend was perfect! Almost. I sailed up the Delaware coast with an 18 to 20 knot wind behind me and passed through not one or two but three pods of dolphins! There were two foot waves behind us and the dolphins were jumping out of them almost like they were going to land in the cockpit. It was one of the most dramatic nature moments I have ever experienced. Now for the reason it was only almost perfect. I took on a LOT of water during this sail..not something I am too comfortable with when in the ocean. We were surfing down a lot of swells and the only thing I could figure was it was coming up the tube that the centerboard purchase passes through. Has anyone heard of or experienced this? Should I be looking to change the tube out for something longer? Am I looking in the totally wrong direction?
A bit concerned...
Willy

Edgy, WB#655
Dewey Beach, DE

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dubedoo
1st Mate

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68 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2004 : 10:07:53

Willy, the "leak in centerboard lifting tackle hose" was a topic on this Forum 5/04. A search should locate it. In the sailing conditions that I have been in, adding an extension to the existing hose seems to have eliminated major water coming in. I don't think it hurts to also have a sock/plug handy. Sounds like you had a fun sail!

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2004 : 11:01:57

<font color="blue">... have a sock/plug handy. - Dubedoo</font id="blue">

Hi Willy,

Your problem sounds similar to one that the C-25 swing keels have ... i.e. water splashing up through the swing keel cable hose. Similar to Dubedoo/Steve's suggestion, some of the swing keel owners have found that stuffing a sponge down the tube stops the water.

'Hope that helps ... 'sounds like you had a GREAT sail!

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2004 : 17:08:04

Willy, was the ballast valve closed and sealed well? I've sailed in conditions far greater than you describe... and the only time I've had a problem was when I forgot to close the valve properly and the valve shaft leaked.

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2004 : 21:26:20

Arlyn,
I checked the valve as it was the first thing that entered my mind and it seemed to be well sealed. The only other thing that I can think of that may have significance is that I had the boat on a lift a week earlier to replace the centerboard cable. I did not find it necessary to remove the hose the CB purchase travels through as I fed a line down the tube taped to the old cable and then attached that line to the new CB line and pulled it back up.
On what I am thinking is a separate issue I have been finding water in the bilge and under the benches in the storage compartments. I have not checked the thru hulls for the depth transducer or the knotmeter which will be first thing on my agenda for Friday evening. Anywhere else you think I should check?
Willy

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mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2004 : 01:43:24

Willy,

Since you said "following seas", could the water have been coming in through the stern somewhere? I know my rudder arm boot for pedestal steering is a weak area there, as would any port for motor controls and gas lines. Just a thought ......

Max

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2004 : 07:06:27

Max,
No leaks around the transom as the aft berth was dry. I have a tiller so no chance for leaks associated with the pedestal. The fuel line on the tiller model runs from an isolated external locker to the motor so that couldn't be it, and the charging line from the motor to the battery is well sealed and mounted to high to be the culprit.

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s3tbuell
1st Mate

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47 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2004 : 14:02:27

Willy how much water did you take on? Like did it over flow the bilge?. What were the seas on the day in question?

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zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2004 : 11:06:58

have you checked for the leak at the through hull bolt for the ballast tank. This was a big topic some time ago. I had that problem and the fix was cheap, easy and permanent.

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2004 : 21:34:11

Ballast bolt was sealed and dry...water was on the floor from the aft section of the small cabin table to the riser for the stern berth. It was about 3/4" deep at the stern and tapered toward the bow. Maybe in the opening of this string I shouldn't have said a LOT of water but the truth is when your offshore it's alarming.
I honestly think it was the centerboard purchase tube and will replace it with a longer section this weekend and also start carrying a sponge.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 01:24:36

Next time your out try making a line with chalk, like kids use on sidewalks, around the suspect areas. If the leak is there it will wash the chalk away. On my wing keel there are two through hulls that vent the LP locker on the stern. The bottom one is close to the waterline and if the hose came off wave action could spill water into the bilge.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 07:30:41

Willy, I didn't note at first that you were getting water on the cabin sole. That changes things up a bit. Examine for possibility that its coming from fresh water supply.

You don't post your hull number in your signature file which is always quite helpful. Early hull numbers used a galley mounted fresh water tank. These tanks required that the supply line for the head sink be shut off (valve under lav) as on a starboard tack, the fresh water tank could be elevated by heeling above the lav spicket and produce water onto the cabin sole from the fresh water supply. There could be other fresh water problems.

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 08:46:32

Arlyn,
WB#655 has been a part of my signature file from the beginning. I was beginning to think one of us was crazy until I noticed that if you scroll down to reread the string after you have the message reply box open they don't show.
Willy

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 23:54:46

Willy...you got me.

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2004 : 11:02:08

Thats Ok Arlyn, I may get the prize for the biggest dummy around on this one... Here is where my water was actually coming from and it was fresh. The bilge. Probably an entire years worth of rain water is what I am thinking. I would regularly pump out the bilge, getting two squirts of water out of the port side through hull and then air. I would look in the area where I would occassionally see water, the bottom step compartment, and note that it was dry, and move on to my next task for shutting down the boat. I HAD NEVER PULLED THE STERN BERTH CUSHIONS AND LOOKED IN THE ACTUAL BILGE COMPARTMENT. Shame on me for thinking I know it all and not reading the manual cover to cover. It turns out that the bilge pump hose floats after two strokes so does not pick up any more water and I was sailing around with a pretty much completely full bilge. Its bone dry now but I ended up having to empty the boat completely, De-mildew everywhere with <i>Simple Green</i>, dry out my stern berth cushions, put everything back etc etc etc. UGGH! Anyway she sure sits in the water better! HA!
Willy

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