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Slow Leak Under VBerth (2024 Discussion Revisited)

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3521 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/19/2026 : 21:48:56

I definitely now know the source of that leakage!

Background: 1-2 cups of water would pool under the VBerth area. Thought it might be the anchor locker drain line deteriorating. I had tried using a spray adhesive to see if that helped a bit. Never really had that much leakage, so,,,I just checked the area every so often.

Fast forward to now! We had a few rain storms the other week and so I was checking the boat and the VBerth area. A lot more water! I then checked the bilge - Water was present there as well. Altogether, perhaps a little over a gallon. After emptying the water, I was pretty sure this all originated from the anchor locker drain line but this time there was so much more water. Came back the next day to ensure the bilge was dry which it was and then I took a better look under the VBerth area and not just thru that little door under the VBerth area where the seacocks are located - This time, I removed the VBerth cushions and removed the plywood covers so I could take another look at that anchor locker drain line.

The anchor drain line had separated from the plastic hull drain connector/thru hull fastener - I believe that over the past few years, the plastic fastener had developed a crack and it finally gave way! So, all rain water now just empties iunder the VBerth area!

I sealed off the the front of the anchor locker deck cover so rainwater will not enter and I also plug up the starboard thru hull connector/hole.

I checked our archives on how others repaired/replaced the fittings. I decided to buy 2 new 3/4' SS Thru hull connectors w/barbed ends and 3/4" reinforced tubing. My thought is to drill out the plastic connectors and replace with the new SS fasteners and tubing.

However, I am not getting any younger and that area under the VBerth area is real hard to get into and so I am considering having one of the visiting boat mechanics do the work. Going down tomorrow to discuss what needs to be done.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 08/19/2026 21:51:03

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4038 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2026 : 06:28:51

Oh I hear you on the not getting any younger and crawling around on the boat. Hope that's the leak and it gets fixed.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3521 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2026 : 21:17:04

Today, I drilled out and removed the thru hull anchor drain connector from starboard hull side....Took 5 min. Then met the technician that is going to complete the repair. He removed the anchor drain connector from under the anchor locker. I had already ordered the SS connectors and replacement tubing and after checking diameters, it appears I ordered the appropriate parts - Should have them tomorrow or Saturday. Depending on the weather and......next Wednesday having cataract surgery on my second eye.....repair will probably be completed by end of next week. Installing the fittings really needs two people just so one can insert a large screwdriver into the fitting from the outside as the other tightens the nut onto the connector from the inside.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1812 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2026 : 06:30:01

On my 1980 C25 the culprit(s) was always either the hatch boards or the windows. After a heavy rain the bilge had water. The only time the v-birth had water was if I had not closed the forward hatch tightly. The good news is that it was always fresh water; the hull and through holes never caused an issue. The bad news is there was water - not enough to pump out but enough to be on my knees with a sponge!

Peter Bigelow
PO - C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3521 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2026 : 21:52:20

I rarely ever had water in the bilge but sometimes had a cup of water pooling around the seacocks, depthfinder and knot meter thru hulls under the VBerth. But those connections were never the source of the leakage - On my boat, the anchor locker drain tubing and fittings were always suspect. Initially thought leakage was from the drain line but it was from a cracked plastic hull fitting that eventually separated allowing all rainwater entering the anchor locker to empty into the VBrth area and the bilge - Luckily, when I inspected, the water amounted to a little over a gallon and once cleaned up, then just temporarily sealed off the anchor locker with some duct tape.

This week had my 2nd eye cataract surgery on Wednesday and then with assistance of a boat mechanic, the anchor locker drain line and fittings were replaced on Friday. Replaced the plastic fittings with SS fittings. Then ran a water hose into the anchor locker to ensure water drained satisfactorily and no leaks present.

I have worn glasses since I was in grade school. So, this is a big change for me - Getting used to not having to wear glasses any longer....well not quite. I used to wear photo-grey (transition) prescription glasses. But now have to wear sunglasses. Obviously better when in full sun but also my eyes are just not use to the brightness and also finding that true when in some stores with bright lights. I was okay for driving after my post-op appt a day after the surgery just that I have some restrictions for a week - No lifting over 25#, no bending down, no mowing or gardening. So, it was just as well I had a boat mechanic help with the repair work. I only had to hold the fitting in place from the outside by inserting a needle nose pliers into it and ensuring the fitting did not turn as the nut was tightened from the inside. (Squatting down and sitting on the finger slip was okay - was not actually bending over.)

Two things noteworthy:
1) The old drain - the tubing was actually in fine shape. No real deterioration at all. The plastic fittings were the weak link. The plastic hull fitting had developed a crack and that resulted in an occasional cup of water leakage under the VBerth area, Then the plastic fitting completely cracked off inside the hull.
2) The 3/4"tubing I purchased via Amazon, happen to come with 2 metal clamps. The description did not indicate the specific material and so I asked the AI engine requesting more details - Indicated no details provided but acknowledged that some reviews indicated the clamps had developed some rust, So, I did not use the clamps that were provided - I had SS Clamps at home, so I intended to use them, however, the old clamps were in fine shape and so re-used them.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 08/28/2026 21:55:50

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