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water in my c 25

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chuckd
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/15/2005 : 23:09:16

Hi My name is chuck. My wife and I just bought a 1977 catalina 25 and are loving it. This is our first boat. This weekend we took pur first trip to catalina. as we were approaching the island, we noticed a little bit of water collecting near the steps. the bilge pump took care of this in less than a minute. Once home we had to run the bilge again (for about a minute. I have been told that these are dry boats. I can't seem to find where the water is coming from. should I worry? Is this normal. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2000 : 11:39:17

Chuck,

Can you tell us what kind of keel you have? Swing, wing, fin? When my wife and I purchased our swing keel C25, it began taking on water immediately. Not too much, and we were easily able to pump the water out, but the the source of the leak was determined to be coming from the keel trunk. Evidently, the PO had neglected the maintenance required on the swing keel assembly, and had an involuntary, high-speed keel lowering event.

(cable broke while keel was cranked up) This smashed the keel trunk and put a crack in it.

Long story short, if you have a swing keel C25, check around the keel trunk while underway. You should be able to spot the leak easily.

Good luck.

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2000 : 11:45:47

Which keel does your boat have - swing or fin? If it is a swing keel, one source of water in the bilge is the thru-hull where the keel cable comes through. In choppy circumstances, quite a bit of water can spurt up through that hose. When I had a swing keel (hull #1205), I used to keep the top of the hose plugged with a piece of sponge. If your boat is not a swing keel, and you are getting only very small amounts of water in the bilge but it is not rainwater, the lower gudgeon bolt holes are probably the source. The cabin windows, chainplates, genoa track, and toe railings are all likely sources of rainwater leakage on the older C-25's. If it's raining and windy, water will even blow up under the rim of the pop-top and drip in that way.

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2005 : 23:42:18

No. Water intrusion in a C25 definitely is not normal. That is not to say it is not common. You do not say whether it was raining during your trip. Let's assume it wasn't. Here are some of the potential sources of leaks in a C25 on the water with no precip from the heavens:

1) Thru hulls (or maybe you still have the original "to-hulls", contraptions glassed into the hulls rather than true thru-hull valves. The former can leak readily, and when they leak, it almost always is a signal of impending disaster (not to overstate the case). The only solution is to replace the to-hull with a real copper or marelon through-hull valve. And the boat has to be on the hard to do that.

2) There are numerous sources of leaks on the transom. First, where the bilge pump hose or Y-valved holding tank effluent hose exit through the transom. Check the hose, the hose clamps and the through-the-transom conduit. Second, the rudder is attached to gudgeons that can work loose and allow water intrusion. Neither of these is a hard fix (unless, of course, the leak has existed for some time and the plywood core has begun to rot. Even then, it's not a major job to correct the problem.

3) PO (previous owner) may well have installed some through the hull device (a depth sounder or speed/log paddle wheel which was not properly bedded, and may be bleeding water into the bilge.

4) PO may also have installed some less innocuous through the hull fitting. I'd suggest lifting all the floorboards and inspections hatches and getting thoroughly familiar with the inside of your hull.

Finally: encouragement. Most of us have gone through something similar. No used boat is perfect. But yours floats and is giving you pleasure. Time to begin to pay for that pleasure with a little elbow grease.

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chuckd
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2005 : 00:10:08

Thank You Dave,
it's nice to have some expert advice. The weather was great, no Rain. the leak occured while underway. I will check the ruder gudgeons and the bilge hose. I will post my findings. should I stop sailing until I know?

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2005 : 07:49:57

Near the companion way stairs is normally from rain or spray. But its also one of two or three collection places due to its height relative to the rest of the boat. Below are my main water sources (were my main water sources)

1. Rub rail - The track is put in with sheet metal or wood screws – over the years the caulk has gone bad.

2. Jib Tracks

3. Deck fittings – not properly caulked

4. Windows – leak like a sieve if not properly caulked.

In general, the almost 30 year old caulk is starting to degrade. Gradually, you should be able to remove and recaulk everything. If your boat is still afloat, its probably not going to be a through hull problem. - but you still need to check all of these just in case. I would start with the jib tracks after checking all of the holes below the waterline.

dw

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.