[C320-list] Water in Bilge

[Welch, Myron D]

After several years of a dry bilge, I was surprised to find water beneath the liner, under the engine and in the three center bilge grids when winterizing the boat for haulout last week. Some observations were easy.  The muffler is again leaking (for the third time) and after two repairs, I think it is time for a new one.  Also, I found a slight drip from the water heater drain as I did not have it closed tightly.  I replaced the water heater about 10 years ago and am very careful when winterizing; I don’t believe the water heater is leaking.

The big mystery is the water found in that difficult to access inspection hole when I had the floor boards pulled for cleaning all the bilge area.  I vacuumed and dryed all the water I could, then left that floorboard loose so could check for water again.  The next day I cleaned the floor in the head and used the shower sump to drain the soapy water.  We have never used the shower and only run the sump when cleaning.  I closed the shower thru hull and a few minutes later about a pint of fresh water had backed up from the drain onto the shower floor.  I had to open the thru hull and run the pump two more times and then mop up the small excess before the water stopped seeping back up.

The next day I again found more water under the inspection hole.  When I vacuumed it out, I was surprised to find soapy water.  Could this be from the water pumped out after cleaning the head floor?  Is it possible that the pump connections are leaking or that the drain reservoir is cracked/leaking?  Do I access that area by removing the closet insert in the stateroom?

I plan to go back to the boat next week, remove the muffler and look for the mysterious water intrusion possibilities.  Thanks in advance for any insight.  

Myron Welch
Wind Instrument #238 (1995)
Iowa City, Iowa
Grace Memorial Harbor
Elk Rapids, Michigan


P.S.  FYI, Ken Roy, our contact from the Catalina parts department, has retired.  His replacement is Len Keller.