[C320-list] Hi all - question about water in the bilge

[David Wellerstein]

Ha yes, we broke a Forespar seacock under the galley sink one night as we were leaving the boat.  I’ve never had water come onto a boat like that.  After freaking out a bit and getting the handle back in enough to close the valve about 90%,  we had a diver come out to plug it up until we could haul and replace with a new (non-plastic) one.  Big difference.  Had several other things done at the same time including the head system.  The thru hulls/seacocks were all checked and I can find no evidence of water intrusion.  But I’ll keep checking.  

I do have two open holes between the bilge pump area and the space right behind it (under the ladder).  That seems to be where the water comes in.  We haven’t been out in a blow yet so haven’t had her heeled over well so I’m not sure what that will bring!  

I’ll keep checking (and sailing!).

Thank you all so much for your responses.  It makes us feel much less alone out there!!  :)

—David

> On Jan 13, 2022, at 1:50 PM, Mark Hood <mark at hoodcanvas.com> wrote:
> 
> With an older Catalina 320 it could be many things. Check the seacocks, the
> seals could of deteriorated and might need to be replaced or just tighten
> the four screws, they might be loose. Check hoses for cracks or  possibly
> just loose hose clamps. We broke the handle on a seacock this summer and
> water poured in requiring a short haul to fix. Mark Hood
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jan 13, 2022 at 4:42 PM Ken McCrimmon <kenmccrimmon at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> Welcome to the group.  This is a great place to get information.  Anything
>> you experience, somebody has dealt with it before, usually multiple people
>> ________________________________
>> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of
>> David Wellerstein <dwellers at mac.com>
>> Sent: January 13, 2022 3:43 PM
>> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
>> Subject: [C320-list] Hi all - question about water in the bilge
>> 
>> Hi there,
>> 
>> I am not sure if this is going out and to whom, but I thought I would give
>> it a go.  I am a member of the 320 association.
>> 
>> We recently purchased a ’94 C320, hull number 118, and after a lot of
>> updating to the Perkins diesel, batteries and many other things, we are
>> ready to sail here in the SF Bay!
>> 
>> The current annoying issue is water in the bilge that seems to be coming
>> from the area under the sole immediately behind the section of the bilge
>> with the pump.  I’ve removed the sole (the dining table included) piece
>> that reveals that section of the bilge.  I can post a picture but there’s a
>> hole that leads to the pump area.  The water seems to be seawater but I can
>> not figure where it’s coming from.  We recently replaced the dripless and
>> had all the thru-hulls checked at a recent haul out.
>> 
>> I’ve vacuumed out all the water but it returns.
>> 
>> If this is the right place to send questions, I’m sure I will have
>> others.  We are really excited to get going and love the boat so far.
>> 
>> Thank you!
>> 
>> —David
>> 
>> David Wellerstein | dwellers at mac.com | 925.301.6581 (m)
>> 
>>