[C320-list] Weeping Keel Bolt

[Dave Chase]

Another possibility is a crack in the aqua lift. We had a small crack in the forward port corner of the muffler, where it bolts to the hull. Started seeing a little water in the bilge, then more and more till we finally traced it to the muffler.

Dave Chase

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 26, 2021, at 1:41 PM, Bob Borelli <cassattc22 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Bilge pump running every 10 minutes would give me cause for concern.
> On my hull 209 leaking water tanks, holding tank or hoses would leak into the lower bilge, not the upper bilge pan.
> 
> I would suspect the keel bolts because they penetrate the upper bilge pan.
> I would towel dry, air dry around each bolt individually and sprinkle green Comet or a product specifically designed to locate tiny water leaks.
> 
> I have poured food colored water into the bilge area under the shaft/stuffing box, it drains to the upper bilge pan and the lower bilge,
> From the hole cut out for the elbow from the aft tank going forward to the water pump.
> 
> The Cold box drain, stuffing box, raw water pump and hoses, indirect coolant hoses would drain into the upper bilge pan.
> 
> I've ruled out leaks from the water, holding tank, hoses, rudder deck plate, by using food coloring.
> 
> Bob Borelli  1995 C320 no. 209.
> ________________________________
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of jackbrennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 12:15 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Weeping Keel Bolt
> 
> Another potential source is the seawater pump. There is a shaft seal that will drip into the pan under the diesel for a long time before becoming bad enough for you to notice.Jack BrennanSonas, 1998 Catalina 320Tierra Verde, Fl.Sent from my Galaxy
> -------- Original message --------From: John Morrison <sail-ability at sympatico.ca> Date: 5/26/21  11:02 AM  (GMT-06:00) To: C320-List at catalina320.com Subject: Re: [C320-list] Weeping Keel Bolt If the holding tank were the culprit your nose would probably let you know!!JohnM 1999#574Sent from my iPhone> On May 26, 2021, at 11:42 AM, P.F. Ross <pfrstl at gmail.com> wrote:> > Tom,> > I, too, have wondered about water collecting in my bilge around keel> bolts.  Like Dave, my boat is much older than yours and has the "shallow> bilge" so water leak paths are probably different between your boat and> mine.> > One thing I have done to "test" this water source is to wet the very tip of> my finger in the water and taste it on the tip of my tongue (and I know I> am not the only one who has done this).  Salty = bad news.  So far, I am> ok, both with not tasting salt and still being alive.  Also, prob not a> good idea if you suspect a holding tank leak.> > Not sure where you are, but obviously would not work if you were in fresh> water.  Good luck!> > Frank Ross> Beta Wave #206> > > >> On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 5:34 PM Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:>> >> I doubt a keel bolt is leaking unless your keel to hull joint is severely>> bad.  My boat is 1994, much older than yours.  I have had similar concerns>> in the past when I detected seepage that appeared to be a leaking bolt.>> Instead there was seepage from elsewhere that migrated into/below the>> structural grid toward such a low spot and only looked like a leaking bolt>> on first reaction.  One source of water was my shaft packing gland after I>> had replaced it and not tightened it much at first.  More recently, I had a>> leaking original water hose within the structural grid that went from my>> galley area to the head sink.>> Dave Hype>> 1994 C320 (#32)>> >> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android>> >>  On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 4:30 PM, RONALD HODEL<ronandgail2 at me.com>>> wrote:   I have no idea having not had that experience but, golly, I would>> have thought the marina staff 
> commissioning the boat would have said>> something right away.>> >> Ron Hodel>> #1070 Lokomaikai>> >> Sent from my iPad>> >>>> On May 25, 2021, at 1:24 PM, Tom Grass <tgrass462 at gmail.com> wrote:>>> >>> Our bilge pump has been running quite regularly (every 10 minutes or>> so, 6>>> seconds each time) ever since launch two weeks ago.  We assumed we might>>> have an internal water leak from one of our two water tanks.>>> >>> We just learned that during commissioning the marina staff noticed a keel>>> bolt which was apparently allowing water to “weep” into the bilge.  We do>>> not know the details of this condition, for example does the boat have to>>> be pulled to fix?>>> >>> Have any of you had similar experiences?>>> >>> Thanks.>>> >>> Tom & Tracy Grass>>> S/V Bucket List>>> 2008 Catalina 320 MK II>>> # 1135>> >>
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