[C320-list] Water collecting under the holding tank

[Larry Frank]

Warren,

I have #246 and even with my best efforts from time to time I get water into
the area we are talking about.

A number of years ago I drilled the drainage holes as shown on the diagram
from Catalina that is on the website.

However I couldn't or didn't drill them flush with the inside of the hull so
they really do not drain unless you have a heap of water there.

What I found out works is to use a web vac attached to a piece of clear
tubing that I can insert into the holes to get all the water out.  

When I am sailing on a port tack and think of it I check the space below the
holding tank for water and if I see any, do the wet vac trick when back at
the dock.

If it was wet I leave the settee cushions and the cover boards below them
propped up so the area can dry out.

I too was concerned about battery acid which is one of the reasons I now
have gel cells.

Larry
WindSwept C320 #246

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 5:40 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Water collecting under the holding tank

I think I found how the water is getting into the battery compartment and
under the holding tank. I still don't know the original source of this
water.

I had occasion today to look under the aft battery. This is where the cables
from the engine and panel exit the conduit that carries them through the
stringer. Under the conduit is an opening through the liner to the space
between the hull and liner. It appears to be a failure to fully bond the
liner to the hull below the cable conduit. This explains why the water
appears after a serious heel on a port tack. It gushes up from below and
settles under the holding tank where there is no exit when on an even keel. 

I think it is important to fix this condition as I surely do not want
battery acid from a blown battery finding its way into the space between the
liner and hull. I'll try and take some pictures next time I'm on the boat. 

I'll probably pull the battery sometime this Winter and remove the battery
shelf to assess the situation. Hopefully, I take more pictures and report on
the repair.

I hasten to add that this only applies to the early models before the bonded
sub-structure. From the history list on our web site these boats may be only
the ones with Perkins engines. Maybe some early Westerbekes. 

Thanks to those of you who replied to my original inquiry. Just knowing
there are other with the same/similar problem is comforting and helpful in
keeping an open mind.

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay