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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Wing keel leak?

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David Scott
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/23/2005 : 17:12:48

My Catalina wing keel is taking on water. The leak shows up in the deepest part of bilge around the keel bolts, but I don't think it is actually leaking from the keel itself as there is no noticeable crack where keel meets hull. It does not seem to be coming from other areas of boat because it is dry when it rains and boat is on land.And another big clue was it became salt water when we were in San Juans/Gulf Islands this last summer. It doesn't leak large amounts but it does leak a cup full of water every few days. Any ideas?? And sorry for previously posting this in wrong section(swap meet)not sure how to delete it from swap meet section...Thanks

Dave Scott 89wk/sr #5973

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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2005 : 21:59:04

David,

Any salt water coming in is not encouraging.

You did not mention if you have any through-hulls for transducers (depth sounders, knotmeters, etc). These can be sources for leaks if the device is not properly inserted & secured into the holder or there is a disruption in the caulking surrounding the hole in the hull & the holder.

Also, did you whack the keel or hull against anything that might have created a crack or leak? This can happen at sea or during launching/retrieval. I'm going to split hairs a bit because you said "there is no noticeable crack where keel meets hull". Is this an absolutely accurate observation? If there is a hairline crack, the caulking between the keel & hull mounting surface might be the source.

As for the "oops" in the swap section, if you are the person posting the topic I believe you can delete it.

Good luck.

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2005 : 07:51:12

Hi David, sorry to hear about your problem. I had a similar situation, but probably not applicable in your situation. I had a wing keel conversion installed on my swing keel C25, and the installer botched the job. After being in the water my boat was literally sinking because the forward portion of my newly installed keel separated from the hull about an 8th of an inch. Water was shooting out of the now defunct swing keel cable pipe. My solution was to have an competent person de-install and then re-install the keel. I truly hope you do not have to have that happen. It cost me more than $2k and about half the sailing season. I'm not sure which was worse.

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2005 : 17:01:47

The leak will show up in the deepest part of the bilge since that's where any water that intrudes in to the hull will accumulate.

Why don't you mark off a circle around your through hulls with colored soft chalk and see if anything is running through it which would pinpoint the source. You might also lay down a chalk line across the area of the bilge (closest to where you found the water) which appears to be dry, which could at least tell you which end of the boat has the leak.

Could be a through hull, loose hose clamp, or even a leak through your gudgeons if they're not sealed well. I doubt if it's the keel bolts.

I hope this helps you find the problem.

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2005 : 22:03:03

A wing keel is just another keel, dont get excited. If your wing keel is factory installed model, then it is possible that you could have leakage at the keel bolts, just as with any other model of boat in which the keel is bolted on from the outside. The first issue is to determine whether or not the leaks are actually from the keel assembly. Thus the isolation of each bolt bay or location by chalk and by paper towels. If indeed it turns out to be a keel bolt issue, this means you have caulking and possibly wrench application to the bolts to take up to a recommended torque value. Many times keel bolts leak, they are not infallible. Many times it turns out to not even be the keel bolts. One step at a time. Sometimes you just bail until the next haulout. Keep the faith, ron srsk Orion SW FL #2343

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2005 : 00:05:52

Had a leak problem and did every screw and bolt with 3M. Deck light was problem and one window and they did not show problem until removed and resealed. Water traveled between liner and hull. Good luck. Jim

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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.