[C320-list] Fwd: Mysterious water leak C320 Hull 78

[John Meyers]

This might be rare, but did your boat get hit by lightning? Sometimes the
place where the bolt goes through the boat is under water and can cause
anywhere from very minor to very major damage to the hull.

Maybe you could go down with a mask and inspect the hull while it is in the
water.

Good luck

John Meyers
In Michigan

On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 12:23 PM, Jeff Brown <oceanblues at mac.com> wrote:

> Sam,
> Thanks for the note, that's what I was afraid of.  I've narrowed it down
> to this particular problem and the most likely culprit, tried everything
> else that others have pointed out.  But since it is glassed over, it
> appears to be a big project.  Did you have yours fixed or did your mechanic
> just point this out?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Jeffrey Brown
> (949) 350-5123
>
>
>
>
> On Oct 3, 2012, at 8:44 AM, Sam wrote:
>
> > I had my boat pulled recently and the marina mechanic stated he has
> noticed problems with Catalina shaft stuts. Sam
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > Begin forwarded message:
> >
> >> From: "Dennis Harris" <dharris02 at suddenlink.net>
> >> Date: October 2, 2012, 4:39:00 PM CDT
> >> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> >> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mysterious water leak C320 Hull 78
> >> Reply-To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> >>
> >> An additional thing to check is the cutless bearing/shaft stut.  It
> bolts through the hull with four bolts.  As I recall, this area has glass
> over it on most boats, but some may not have been covered.  Also, vibration
> over time might have opened up this area.
> >>
> >> Dennis Harris C-320 #694
> >>
> >> -----Original Message----- From: Dean Vermeire
> >> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 5:09 PM
> >> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> >> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mysterious water leak C320 Hull 78
> >>
> >> Hi Jeff,
> >>
> >> Just a thought, but I would dry everything out as best as I could, and
> >> then put newspaper down everywhere I could get to inside. Wait a while
> >> and then look to see where it is wet.
> >>
> >> Dean Vermeire
> >> #847
> >>
> >> On 10/2/2012 3:42 PM, Jeff Brown wrote:
> >>> Hi C320 Group:
> >>> Our C320 is located in the marina of Dana Point, California.  So I've
> been battling a mysterious water leak (not fresh water so it's not coming
> from top or fresh water tanks).  We're taking on about 2 gallons of water
> per day, so it's significant.  So here's what I've checked:
> >>>
> >>> 1. All through holes are dry and not leaking, closed all of them and
> leak continued
> >>> 2. Checked under floor boards, no leaks from any of the bolts that
> hold the keel to the bottom
> >>> 3. Checked depth gauge and knot meter fittings, no leaks
> >>> 4. Replaced packing gland with "dripless" packing and its not coming
> from here
> >>> 5. I've opened every floorboard, took everything out of cabinets and
> darn near torn open the whole boat, no detection of water entry.
> >>>
> >>> So, my analysis of the general area of the leak, at least what I am
> able to see, it's coming from somewhere on the bottom of the boat from the
> bilge pump back to somewhere under the engine.
> >>>
> >>> There are two areas I am unable to visibly see.  The space under the
> kitchenette floor back to under the engine, there is a space but it's not
> accessible.  I've called several boat mechanics, explained the problem and
> can't find anyone who thinks they can figure it out.  Called Catalina, Kent
> in California and Kurt in Florida, and they are as stumped as I.
> >>>
> >>> So, if anyone has had a similar experience, please let me know. If you
> haven't had the same issue but can provide guidance on how we would go
> about finding the problem (i.e haul it out and look for cracks) or any
> help, it's greatly appreciated.  As you can imagine, everyday I fear going
> to the boat and finding it under water.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Best regards,
> >>>
> >>> Jeffrey Brown
> >>> (949) 350-5123
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
>
>