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

[John Frost]

We have had 3 Catalinas since 1985 (a 25, 270 and 320) and have followed the brand closely. Never heard of a sail drive on one

John
2009 C320MKII
Hull  #1118
Lake Guntersville, AL

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Jeff Hare
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2022 1:56 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Hi all - question about water in the bilge

I've never seen or heard of a Saildrive on a C320. It was never an option on this boat for sure. I remember Gerry specifically making an offhand comment about them back at an old factory tour where he said he will not use Saildrives from anyone in his designs. Too many opportunities to fail in a bad way. He didn't elaborate, or I don't recall a reason anyway.

If you do see any Catalina with a saildrive it must have been built prior to 1982 or a very old boat repowered with an OMC aftermarket unit? But I don't know for sure.  

Pretty sure it's just not a factory thing on any of the Gerry Douglas designs since '82 though.

-Jeff Hare



-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of David Wellerstein
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2022 10:20 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Hi all - question about water in the bilge

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