1999 30 MkIII bilge FULL of water

[VF84Sluggo]

Hey all,

I'm a newb here - first post (and a new thread to boot) - and I'm looking at getting my first boat. I've pretty much narrowed my search to either the 26 MkII or the 30 MkIII.

Well, I looked at a 30 yesterday. 1999 boat. All seemed in pretty good shape. A little wear on the dodger from the boom, a few other cosmetic things as well. The teak companionway door panels are VERY weathered.

Once inside, I looked at the chainplate bolts. I did not notice any signs of water intrusion at all. Then, when I lifted up the floor boards, the bilge was full of water...I mean, FULL! Some water even dripped off of the underside of the board when I set them aside.

Now, I understand some bilge water happens, and I didn't expect the bilge to be bone dry (but that would have been a nice discovery ), but to be completely full has me concerned.

So, as a newb, I'm asking for thoughts on this, as well as other things to look for as I search for the right boat.

Thanks in advance!

Randy

 

[Meriachee]

Water runs down the mast into the bilge? Sounds more like the switch for the pump was set to 'off', or, the float failed. Something to look into a little more closely if this is the boat you're thinking about, and when it gets surveyed, make sure you tell the surveyor.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The more compelling concern is this is an indication of general lack of maintenance

 

[VF84Sluggo]

My thoughts exactly, gents. I got the impression the owner hasn't stopped by in a while to check on things.

We've had a bunch of rain, and I didn't give the water a taste-test, but it didn't smell 'salty.' So my hunch is that it is rainwater.

Still, there was dock power on the boat. Wondering why a bilge pump hadn't at least kicked on every now and then.

Now, what kind of problems could this amount of standing water cause a 30 MkIII? For sure if I move forward on this boat, I will tell the surveyor what I saw.

Thanks!

 

[Capt jgw]

Is the boat in the water or on the hard and if on the hard has it been for a long time? A boat uncovered on the hard can get a surprising amount of water just from rain water blown in through vents and louvers, especially of the stern is to the prevailing winds and the drop boards are louvered. Not necessarily a sign of poor maintenance, but lack of attention since she was stored. My present boat has a drain plug to prevent this.

 

[VF84Sluggo]

The boat is in a slip. Should have mentioned that.

 

[ebsail]

I think I would turn on the electric bilge pump, or have the owner or broker do it, and empty the bilge completely. Then come back in a day or two and see if any new water has accumulated.. If it hasn't rained, and there is new water, then the leak is from below the water line. If there is no new water, then repeat this when rain is predicted, so you can tell where the water is coming from. Below the waterline leaks are easier to find than rain water leaks. There is also the remote chance that the fresh water tank or hoses are leaking. Are the fresh water tanks empty?

 

[VF84Sluggo]

Good suggestion. I'll see if I can arrange to visit the boat after the bilge has been pumped, and then check back as you suggested.

I do not know if the water tank was holding anything.

 

[njlarry]

Same thing when first looked at our. It can show lack of maintenance or more likely neglect from ill, busy or long distance owner. Most likely it's rain water and the source will have to be fixed. How well maintained does the engine and electric systems look?
Spend some more time looking her over and of course get survey if your instincts are favorable.
Personally the brokers should be keeping a better eye on it. Remember "all boats leak"-Abraham Lincoln 1832 .

 

[VF84Sluggo]

Yes, I was surprised that the broker would not keep a closer eye on this, too. I'm not thinking this is a deal-killer right off the bat, but I am wondering if allowing this much standing water in the bilge would lead to keel, hull, or mast issues.

Overall the boat is not really in bad shape. It's just in need of a motivated owner. This was just kind of a "walk through", but the asking price is already near the top of my budget, so I'm a little concerned about lurking big-ticket maintenance issues.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Yes, I was surprised that the broker would not keep a closer eye on this, too. I'm not thinking this is a deal-killer right off the bat, but I am wondering if allowing this much standing water in the bilge would lead to keel, hull, or mast issues.

Overall the boat is not really in bad shape. It's just in need of a motivated owner. This was just kind of a "walk through", but the asking price is already near the top of my budget, so I'm a little concerned about lurking big-ticket maintenance issues.

The other thing I wonder about is whether the water level may have been high enough to have the lower part of the engine's oil pan immersed for a period of time. The bilge on the C30 is pretty shallow and there is very little clearance between the bottom of the pan and the hull. I'm not sure how much water it would take before it touched the bottom of the oil pan but that's something I'd want to check into. Replacing a rusted oil pan, while not that difficult in and of itself, would involve removing the engine, which is a fair amount of work.

As for the presence of the water itself: I used to have a 1987 MK-II. I managed to maintain a dry bilge on mine, though from what I could tell my boat was the exception. I say this based on several years of being active on the C30 list and comparing notes with many other owners. Water can collect in the bilge from any number of places, including rain water leaks, a dripping packing gland, weeping through the keel bolts, water ingress through the mast wiring and down the hollow compression post and from there into the bilge, etc. etc. So what I am saying is that most C30s tend to have at least somewhat wet bilges but you certainly would want to find out the specifics in this case, especially given the large amount of water involved.

 

[VF84Sluggo]

Thanks much for that info. I think I'll keep on looking. Sounds like this could be a potential major headache.

 

[newboatowner]

I have the same problem and agree that the source of water can be from a variety of places. The stuffing box is one but saw a stream of water that made its way under the navigation table to the bilge right under the engine. I tasted it and it was sweet water. It is coming from a leaking water tank that is situated under the starboard side benches in the cabin. It must be either the tank or the line that goes under the battery box to the water pump.

Water, water everywhere.

 

[VF84Sluggo]

Lol...true!

Thing is, not being the owner, and thus not able to troubleshoot the leak, how do you know if it's just a 'nuisance' issue or an indicator of much more serious (i.e. Big $$$) things?

 

[Bob S]

First, i agree the bilge pump is either off or has a faulty float switch. I sometimes get water from the steering quadrant. Check to make sure the scupper drain is clear. I've used a thin piece of nylon rod to snake back into the quadrant from the transom then used a wet vac to suck out any debris. Also look for any brown staining behind the seating compartments. This can be a sign the chain plates or deck hardware is leaking. Have the boat surveyed if you're really interested.
Good Luck

 

[mortyd]

have the seller explain the water in the bilge and get rid of it: if he can't, walk away.

 

[VF84Sluggo]

Well, I found another 30 MkIII in the area. It's a 1995 - 4 years older than the subject 30 here - BUT, this boat looks to be in much better shape. Better equipped, too. And $13,000 less on the asking price.

I spent about an hour crawling all over it before the broker arrived. Heck, he said go onboard and look her over. From my 'amateur' survey - tapping here and there, opening up the engine bay, bilge covers, and anything else I could inspect, nothing jumped out as an outright deal-killer. Found evidence of leakage around the forward port chainplate, and a porthole window leak (broken latch), and maybe some minor wear here and there.

The teak was in great shape, clean inside the cabin, canvas covers, full Bimini and dodger, companionway cover. It was a rainy day, but other than that window drip, the cabin did not feel damp or smell musty.

Boy, I've looked at some boats this past month that sure looked better in the pictures than in real life. But this boat is legit as best I can tell. I think it's time to work out a deal, and get a survey.

Thanks for the input, folks!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Sluggo, that sounds great. Good luck.

Chainplates?

BTDT:

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1113127&highlight=chainplates

 

[VF84Sluggo]

Read your post, concur: the leak has to be fixed. To pretend it doesn't exist, or to ignore it, is to invite bigger trouble later. Kind of like the ol' Fram filter commercial: you can pay me now, or pay me (a lot more) later.

I have to admit, it looks to me like the C28 MkII has plates/tie rods like the C34. That looks like a better setup than what the 30 has.