[C320-list] Water in bilge issue: 1995 Catalina 320

[Larry Frank]

Clay,

I have 1995 # 246.  I have also battled the water in the bilge problem.  I
think the drawing that Dave Hupe is directing you to will show the
locations for drilling some additional drainage holes in the athwart ships
beams (they are hollow) which will allow water trapped in the storage
areas under the settees or in the hollow interior of the beams to drain
into the bilge.  The holes don¹t really work that well because they are
too high however they are quite handy for sticking a small hose (1/2²)
attached to a shop vac to vacuum our the water that is trapped there.  I
find that I need to do this occasionally when I have some type of water
leak which is usually either from a failed muffler, leaking mechanical
shaft seal, or leak in the fresh water system.  You can also use the shop
vac approach below the galley drawers (you may do better if your remove
the assembly) and in the area around the holding tank.  I would not
recommend plugging any drain holes because after all you water to drain
into the bilge and get pumper overboard!  The key is to keep these areas
dry in the first place.

I would also recommend taking up all for the floorboards as there are some
areas there that can trap water.  You shouldn¹t have to do this more than
one time.

Larry
WindSwept
1995 C320 #246

On 4/17/19, 6:54 PM, "Clay Carter" <fclaycarter at yahoo.com> wrote:

>Just purchased a used 1995 in what appears to be in good condition.
>Before purchase, owner disclosed that the fiberglass aqua muffler had
>once failed filling the shallow bilge and cabin sole with water.  I found
>the sole screws removed and pulled up for inspection.  All of the
>compartments of the bilge still had some water, as well as the settee
>compartments as well.  The bilge "pan" appears to hold the bulk of any
>water from the shaft packing gland, but I have noticed this bilge pan
>also has some 3/4" to 1" holes drilled in it for various wiring, and some
>holes for unknown purposes.  The water in the bilge pan from the muffler
>failure clearly also made it into these holes and now is somewhere down
>below the bilge pan.  I have no idea how much water is down there or how
>to get it out if it still exists.  Does anybody have experience with this
>issue?  Should I be concerned?  Thanks for any input.
>³Be kind,for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.² ~Plato
>