...so back to other things that took a while to figure out. My very first solo exploration through the H30C, following purchase, occurred three weeks into December after the initial inspection with the PO. Nervously climbing the 8' ladder with a foot of melting snow encapsulating the uncovered ship I managed to find the correct key to unlock the companionway boards. As I entered the cabin, I noticed a wet spot around the edges of the bilge hatch. I lifted the hatch, and "what to my wondering eyes should appear", but a bilge full of water that nearly brought tears.
Now both house and motor batteries had been removed by the PO and placed in my garage. No power. I had in my collection of tools on the truck a cordless drill and a harbor freight garden hose pump, and two lengths of hose in the lazerette. Do you think I could get the SOB pump to prime...well I did, but could not get enough head pressure to overcome the height of the companionway and get the siphon down to the ground started. I must have spent 2 hours working this angle, and finally gave up.
The next process was to figure out the battery banks wiring, which as expected looked more like the Christmas light bundles I untangled yesterday. I opted to drive home, retrieve a lighter deep cell battery from the camper and next day splice into the bilge pump with the spare battery, rather than try to bring both big/heavy batteries back and hook the damn thing up correctly. Cutting pump wires, stripping back insulation, butt splices, heat shrink, attach to battery post, go find the bilge out-port, and then a close to Christmas miracle occurred.
It's the simple things that really make me happy. I did finally find the main leak in the spring. Apparently the anchor locker drain through the very apex of the bow had critters (mud daubers) building nests and it was plugged solid, there is an unobvious pathway through the stringers that floods the bilge. The boat's been dry since clearing that out. Go Figure!
