[C320-list] Leak appearing under holding tank STATUS REPORT

[kskis at aol.com]

I tried to scope the area and my scope can't "see" water.  I will have a better scope to use tomorrow but after further observation I'm convinced more than ever that I have salt water ingressing from the outside of the hull, possibly at a keel seam.  The water seems to originate from an area that is like a "seam" where the forward part is thicker/more fiberglass than the after area, from a "crack/seam" about 1-2" long.  It is located a few inches from center towards the port side, 6 feet back from the mast post.  It is 3 feet forward of the bulkhead that lines up with the engine wall/hatch boards.  It is about in line with the seam between the wood and lineoleum floors about 4 inches off the stern/starboard corner of the galley cabinet corner.  A little less than a gallon per 24 hours.  
Rudder and shaft areas and through-hulls appear totally dry.  
My next steps:1)  Call Catalina 
2)  Call one or two Catalina dealers3)  Begin planning haul-out
Any other advice?
If hull repair is necessary has anyone gone through this?  Is this something a Catalina dealer would be better able to handle or just a good yard?
I imagine that this small hole might be hard to find and might require removing some hull paint to locate the hole.
Also, should I be concerned with my bilge pump or switch cycling every 15 minutes for 5 seconds at a time?
Thanks to all!  Neil




-----Original Message-----
From: Jamie Pett <JPett at jp2architects.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Thu, Sep 5, 2019 11:09 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Leak appearing under holding tank STATUS REPORT

Given the volume of water described, (bilge running every 20 minutes for several hours), I don't think this is a 'deck leak', unless you are in  pouring rain ?

If it's definitely salt water, and you ruled out the stuffing gland, the only things I can think of aft would be rudder tube (unlikely unless you grounded or did some other damage) or thru hulls and hoses for raw water engine or a/c intake. There are also the strainers associated with those.

If it might be fresh water, the other possibility is the swim platform shower.

Good luck, detective.


Jamie Pett
Bella Luna 1999 C-320 #614

 
-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Scott Thompson
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2019 10:08 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Leak appearing under holding tank STATUS REPORT

Possibly a deck leak?  You said the moisture was below the lowest holding tank hose connection. That’s probably the pump out hose. Possibly you have a leak at the pump out fitting on deck with water running down the hose. 

Scott

> On Sep 4, 2019, at 4:03 PM, Neil <kskis at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> Not resolved yet but much thanks to Scott, Joe, Ted, Graeme, Jack, Jamie, and all for great advice.  After taking apart everything including floor I have traced as far as 3” aft of the front edge of the linoleum in front of the companionway stairs.  The following were checked and are dry: Head, Galley including Hot water heater, forward bilge areas, waste tank areas(sigh of relief), cockpit lockers, freshwater pump area, aft tank connections. ( but can’t see underneath the aft water tan), engine and shaft areas. I also ran the shower drain sump and refrigerator.  An hour ago I put red die in the aft tank but so far no red.  I plan to bring my inspection scope to see if I can see further “upstream “ and maybe under part of the aft tank.  If anything I’m “learning the boat!  Am I missing something?  Thank you Neil Kornblatt #973 Harmony 
> 
> Neil Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 3, 2019, at 6:53 PM, Jamie Pett <JPett at jp2architects.com> wrote:
>> 
>> If you pumped the h. tank reasonably empty at 10, it can't be tank ? (My h. tank developed a hole several years ago and I had to replace it - the lower, forward, port corner had abraded against the hull due to small movement over years. (boat is 1999)  It was obviously the tank, as the holding tank contents are literally 'black water' and smell.  Cleaning and disinfecting the bilge was a task.  Fortunately for you, it doesn't sound like that to me.)
>> 
>> Given the 'path of water' you are seeing, I'd suspect something in the head under the sink - maybe the thru hull there (raw water intake, or sink drain).  Water under the head floor can path forward and appear to be coming under the holding tank.  
>> 
>> Jamie Pett
>> Bella Luna - #614
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Joe Luciano
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2019 11:46 AM
>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Leak appearing under holding tank
>> 
>> So can leaks from under the galley sink area.  The path a leak will take often times is indirect and can be a head scratcher.
>> 
>> Joe Luciano 
>> Second Wind 
>> 2005 C-320
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Sep 2, 2019, at 6:36 PM, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Before taking out the holding tank I’d check the aft water tank and all thruhulls in the head compartment. Leaks from those areas can show up under the holding tank. 
>>> 
>>>> On Sep 2, 2019, at 9:25 PM, kskis at aol.com wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hello.  This morning after a 3:00AM trip to the head I began to hear the bilge pump turn on for 5 seconds every 15 minutes. Although I know the holding tank was not full I pumped out at 10:00AM.  The bilge pump continued its serenade every 15-25 minutes until I left the boat at 2:00PM today.  Fresh water pump never went on.  All areas leading to the bilge are dry except the area coming from directly under the holding tank.  There is a small puddle under the port/bow corner of the tank, just below the lower hose connection.  I can't reach my hand in to feel where the wet is coming from but I see a few very small drops of moisture on the plastic hose connection of that lower holding tank hose.  Most obvious is to check that hose connection which I can't reach to try to tighten.  All other areas are dry-macerator, hoses, etc.  Any other thoughts?  Does anyone know how that hose connection works?  Catalina Direct lists it as a "female" connection but not sure which direction to try to tighten it.  I ordered long-handled pump pliers but not even sure that will reach it.  Thinking I might have to start removing hoses and loosen the tank itself to even reach down there.  Any advice would be much appreciated.  Neil Kornblatt, #973 Harmony, East Hampton, NY
>>>> 
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>>>> 
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>>> 
>> 
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