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

[Jeff Smith]

David,

Since your hull # is close to mine (#121), you might also consider your hot water heater. I have had problems with leaking water that I thought was either: a. The raw water pump, b. A leaking through-hull, or c. One of my water lines/water tanks. It was actually d., my hot water heater was rusted and leaking water. I finally figured it out when I left my water system pump (to faucets, etc.) on and it kept activating while all faucets were closed. Suspecting the hot water heater, I removed the galley cabinet (easy to do) and watched the water leak from the hot water heater (it was rusted at the seam). I chose to simply remove the hot water heater and not replace it.  

So, if you try the other usual suspects (emergency tiller cover, propane tank locker, and all of the other aforementioned areas) and you still have a leak, leave your water system pump on and listen to see if it is activating, seemingly for no reason. It might be an indicator that your hot water heater is the culprit.

Good luck,

Jeff
S/V Sailmates, #121

> On Jan 15, 2022, at 1:44 PM, Bob Borelli <cassattc22 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> On my hull no. 209.
> The 'cold box' drains to the bilge pan or 'upper bilge', drain opening in on the athwart ship fiberglass frame.
> Also there is an opening for the tube that runs under the diesel pan, from the frame just forward of the propellor shafts packing gland.  The tube runs forward to aft.  Carries water drip from the packing gland forward to the bilge pan or 'upper bilge'.
> And on my boat it also drains into the bilge under the pan, the 'lower bilge'.
> I slip a hand pump down through a hole I cut into the plywood base of the galley drawer cabinet and slip the pump along side the holding tank.
> I used food colored water, blue & red poured into the cold box and into the area below the packing gland to determine where the water drains to.  And to answer why I have water collecting in the lower bilge.
> 
> Bob Borelli C320 no. 209  Sassafras River, MD
> 
> ________________________________
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of pat reynolds <lorasalum at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2022 11:52 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Hi all - question about water in the bilge
> 
> David  My 1995 320 has two holes in the area you mentioned.  One for the sump pump and the other for the fridge drain, ,Possibly your fridge drains elsewhere and this hole was plugged.  In order to get a vac hose in the hole you mentioned I cut the board where the table rests at the narrow point between the settee and the head
>    On Saturday, January 15, 2022, 09:20:34 AM CST, David Wellerstein <dwellers at mac.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks for that tip Mark.  Is the only way to check that to do a haul out?  I seem to be vacuuming less water so it could be a matter of water making its way to the bilge.  We are going out for a sail today so we’ll see what we wind up with this evening.  I certainly don’t have that much water that the pump is running furiously.
> 
> Also, there is a hole between the rearmost area behind the bilge and the bilge that was previously covered with duct tape.  I wonder if that’s one of the holes put in by Jerry at the recommendation of Catalina?  Shouldn’t it have a plug (one of those expandable ones) in it?  Taking up the sole to get to that rearmost section is a pain in the rear as you have to remove the dining table.  My vacuum nozzle does not fit through the hole so I might have to make it bigger.  Or cut the sole so that the rearmost area is more accessible.
> 
> I guess the first thing to do is to see if it’s a leak, historical water or something else entirely.+
> 
> Again, thank you all for your suggestions.  It’s such a comfort to know you’re out there!
> 
> David
> Dream Catcher #118
> 
>> On Jan 15, 2022, at 6:44 AM, Mark Calisti <mjcalisti at msn.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 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
> 
>