Realizing this may be a futile question I shall ask it anyways. I own a 1978 Hunter 27, relatively recently acquired, and it has been accumulating a small amount of water in the bilge while at rest in the absence of rain. After three days at rest it has accumulated around a half an inch to an inch of water. Any thoughts on how this may be getting in? Thanks in advance for any leads. I see nothing obvious and it is coming in very slowly.
1978 Hunter 27 water in bilge
- Thread starter Traylor67
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Hi,
You should taste the water in your bilge. If it's sweet water, then you must check the deck area for rain leaks. If it's salty water, you must check the shaft seal as it must not leak at rest. It leaks only a drop every 20 seconds when in motion. The worst case scenario would be keel bolts leaks.
Hope this will do
You should taste the water in your bilge. If it's sweet water, then you must check the deck area for rain leaks. If it's salty water, you must check the shaft seal as it must not leak at rest. It leaks only a drop every 20 seconds when in motion. The worst case scenario would be keel bolts leaks.
Hope this will do
Check for salt water.
Do you have an inboard? If you have one, check the packing gland on the prop shaft.
If it is fresh water and there has not been any rain, it is probably a leaking water hose or storage tank.
Do you have an inboard? If you have one, check the packing gland on the prop shaft.
If it is fresh water and there has not been any rain, it is probably a leaking water hose or storage tank.
It has an inboard. The stock 8hp yanmar diesel. Unfortunately the boat is moored in fresh water, so as much as I want to drink the bilge it wouldn't help much I think.
Also, if this helps the wise diagnose, the water intake seems to increase on days I take the boat out. Does this increase the chance of it being the prop shaft over a keel bolt? Does the boat need to be hauled out to repack that seal? Thanks again for any advice folks.
Sure sounds like the stuffing box. And no, you do not have to haul to repack. Just be sure your bilge pump works because you will get wet while repacking.
To prove the water is coming from the stuffing box just place a paper towel under it. Small drips are hard to see but show up quickly on the towel.
To prove the water is coming from the stuffing box just place a paper towel under it. Small drips are hard to see but show up quickly on the towel.
The sources of bilge water on the h27 are:
1) The packing gland on the prop shaft.
2) Drainage from the ice cooler.
3) Leak in water tank or pressure system hoses.
4) Rain leaks from portholes or deck joints.
5) keel bolts.
Leaks from engine cooling will be retained in the engine sump and will not reach the bilge unless overflowed. Water is retained in between the stringers under the cabin sole and will slowly leak into the bilge. Water taken in during a hard sail, rain or wash may show up in the bilge days later giving the impression there might be a constant leak.
1) The packing gland on the prop shaft.
2) Drainage from the ice cooler.
3) Leak in water tank or pressure system hoses.
4) Rain leaks from portholes or deck joints.
5) keel bolts.
Leaks from engine cooling will be retained in the engine sump and will not reach the bilge unless overflowed. Water is retained in between the stringers under the cabin sole and will slowly leak into the bilge. Water taken in during a hard sail, rain or wash may show up in the bilge days later giving the impression there might be a constant leak.
Thanks for all the suggestions my friends. I ran the boat when tied to the dock and found that the stuffing box is leaking at least a drop a second when in gear, so that will need to be remedied. I think I'm also taking in some water topside either through the cabin door (it's old and warped) or somewhere else. I'll just have to wait for some rain to figure that one out. I should not have to wait too long here in Portland, OR.
Packing the stuffing box.
This is easy project.
When you buy the fiber rope, it comes in two sizes. The dealer should be able to give you the right size. I think that 1/4" is correct, but maybe not.
It takes two large wrenches to loosen the fitting. I don't have a manual in front of me, but if I remember correctly this fitting comes apart with left hand treads.
You should be able to find step by step instructions. It has been 5 years since I did my stuffing box, and my memory is long gone.
Very satisfying project.
Good luck
This is easy project.
When you buy the fiber rope, it comes in two sizes. The dealer should be able to give you the right size. I think that 1/4" is correct, but maybe not.
It takes two large wrenches to loosen the fitting. I don't have a manual in front of me, but if I remember correctly this fitting comes apart with left hand treads.
You should be able to find step by step instructions. It has been 5 years since I did my stuffing box, and my memory is long gone.
Very satisfying project.
Good luck
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