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

[Mark Calisti]

Back in 2020, we had a mysterious salt water leak. We had water under the sole, aft of the bilge. Engine area was completely dry. Turns out we had a small breach in the hull just forward of the straight shaft. As I understood from the marina, apparently some (all?) 320s were built with the option for a sail drive. Over time, that area can weaken and cause a breach. What was odd is that the leak would come an go and generally start coming in when underway. Marina thought it was jellyfish getting in there at the dock sealing the small gap which then exited or forced out when underway. This went on for a few weeks, before it started to get dangerously worse (had to start using the manual bilge pump to avoid the pump continuously running), and we hauled out. Unfortunately, no insurance coverage as the adjuster labeled it wear and tear.

Mark Calisti
Wayward 749
Solomons, MD

> On Jan 13, 2022, at 10:50 PM, Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> David-
> 
> Welcome aboard!  You are definitely in the right place and congratulations
> on buying a great sailboat!
> 
>  Since you have an early model I’m a bit hazy on how the fridge drains on
> your hull, but on hull #514 the fridge does drain to the area behind the
> bilge.   If the water is freshwater then that’s the most likely suspect for
> sure.  You can put a gallon down the fridge and see what happens if you
> aren’t sure.  Some hulls have a Y valve in the head that hooks the fridge
> up to the shower sump.
> 
> You asked who these emails go out to.  The answer is anyone who is
> subscribed to the mailing list and anyone who looks on the association
> webpage or google group.   This is not a private forum and not restricted
> in any way I’m aware of.  Jeff H correct me if that has changed.
> 
> Also be sure to use the search function in groups, works very well and you
> will get to know various things about your model (earlier hull,  Perkins
> engine,  shallow bilge) that you want to keep an eye on.
> 
> Regards-
> 
> Troy Dunn
> Hull #514
> Wonky Dog