[C320-list] Chasing Leaks, yes starting that convo

[Allan Field]

Put different color food coloring in each water tank!
Allan S. Field


On Sat, Mar 23, 2024 at 8:12 PM Jacob Lang via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> This is all great info! I definitly saw the propane insert leaking, a lot
> during today’s down pour. Also I’ve been suspicious of my emergency tiller,
> I will be replacing the whole cover and trying to fix some of the hair line
> cracks coming from the port. Also, I will now be checking the emergency
> pump and I’m sure the outdoor shower is also leaking.
>
> How did you find out your fresh water system was leaking? I’m suspect on
> this issue, because it looks like my keel bolts are leaking which lead me
> down the rabbit hole of checking my keel for cracks and was even going to
> rebed the keel bolts, but I may be chasing the wrong issue.
>
> Jacob
> STUDY HULL #305
>
> > On Mar 23, 2024, at 18:07, Dave Hupe via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> > Here is my litany of leak discovery and repair..... primarily with
> regard to the aft section of the boat....and focusing on things that are
> not obvious! I am not repeating suggestions from other owners like water
> heater leaks, hatches that should be easy to see, etc.
> > Jacob ... I am not sure if you have the shallow bilge like me. If you
> do, water can get into the structural grid system and slowly seep out/up
> around your keel bolts.  This can definitely look like a keel bolt leak,
> but very likely is not ..... I know this from fixing surface water leaks as
> explained below and gradually seeing my keel bolts dry up several times.
> >
> > 1. The emergency tiller hatch is a bad design and prone to leakage. I
> replaced my entire hatch/port early on but the rubber seal is not great.  A
> coating of grease on the rubber o-ring can help seal out water for a while.
> 2. The seal around the top edge of the pan holding the propane tank on my
> boat leaked like crazy.  This compartment is not like the others in the
> cockpit.  There is no lip that the compartment cover seals over to prevent
> water intrusion. There were only 4 screws holding the pan down.  After
> removing the tank and unhooking the pan water drain hose, I lifted the pan
> up just enough to rebed it (didn’t need to unhook the propane lines) ...
> leak gone.3. The faucet of the stern shower leaked around the mount
> holes/water connections. There was no caulk at all beneath the faucet
> assembly. I bebbed it with butyl tape to stop the leak (a little tough
> since there us very little edge on the faucet assembly to seal).4. My Whale
> emergency pump in the cockpit was leaking around the outer seal.   I
> completely replaced the pump since it needed rebuilt anyway.5. I had a
> water line break hidden within my structural grid traveling from my Galley
> area to the head sink. This looked like a keel bolt leak due to water
> pooling in my structural grid,  but I replaced both hot and cold water
> lines which eliminated the seepage. I was unable to remove the old lines
> .... I just cut them and rerouted to install new lines.
> > Dave Hupe
> > 1994 C320 #32
> > Holland,  MI
> >
> > Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
> >
> >  On Fri, Mar 22, 2024 at 8:27 PM, Jacob Lang via C320-list<
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:   I may regret starting this
> thread but I’m curious. While my boat is in the water I believe my keel
> bolts were slightly weeping. The boat is out on the hard now and I’m
> addressing the slight cracks on the front of the keel using gflex and then
> additionally I’m resealing the washers around the keel bolts.
> >
> > However, my real questions start with what I’m still chasing. I seem to
> have a fresh water coming in during storms. It’s been about three months
> that it’s been on the hard so the accumulation of about 2 to 3 gallons is a
> bit concerning. I think I’ve traced a leak down to at least one window. (
> the one in the cockpit starboard side facing aft). However that can’t be
> the only source. Anyone have any ideas to start tracing? I’m wondering if
> the lockers are leaking to the bilge. Any thoughts to begin the hunt would
> be appreciated.
> >
> > VR
> > Jacob
>