[C320-list] Bilge inspection port

[Warren Updike]

I've not pulled up any of the vinyl galley deck.  Once the cabinets are
removed you will find an inspection hole underneath aft of the thru hull.
This is the space between the liner and the hull.  With the several leaks
I've encountered, there is always a collection of water in this space.  I'm
able to remove it with a small shop vac the hose of which I push into the
inspection hole toward the center of the hull.  In this way I'm able to
remove most of the water.  The rest will dry with time.  Since I've resolved
the leaks, the whole sub-sole area has been dry, although, the whole
adventure over a period of years has been a major pain.  It's clear why
Catalina redesigned the whole under sole plan.  The original stunk!  Yet,
I've never been sorry with our purchase.  It's a great boat.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Russ [mailto:jsruss at msn.com] 
Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012 2:45 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge inspection port


I have hull 51 and also wondered about that.  So I lifted the corner of the
of the galley vinyl and found another layer of the vinyl flooring.  The top
layer is joined to the bottom layer by contact cement.  I have no idea if
there are other layers as I stopped looking for the inspection hole at that
point.  Funny thing is that the level of the cabin sole matches up perfectly
with the outer layer of galley vinyl.  Must have been done that way at the
factory.  My guess is to cover up an oops?  Anyway, if you remove the galley
cabinetry there is an access to the area under the galley sole, and it does
trap water.    
Jack

> From: goodmanalanlee at hotmail.com
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2012 12:17:11 -0400
> Subject: [C320-list] Bilge inspection port
> 
> 
> 
> I have hull 67 which is the 'shallow bilge' configuration (hulls 1 through
355).  The forum library has a Catalina Yachts technical bulletin discussing
the structural grid for these these hulls.  The bulletin identifies an
inspection hole in the cabin sole on the hull center line under the galley
vinyl flooring.  I want to make an inspection of this sealed bilge
compartment using the inspection port. Has anyone taken up the galley vinyl
flooring and are there any secrets or tips to pass along?  Hopefully the
flooring can be lifted and reinstalled without damage.  Alan Hull 67 Holland
MI
>