Got a bad "springtime suprise" this week. I checked on my O'Day 22 in winter storage and my starboard side cockpit locker is full of water (now ice). It's a pretty outrageous water level, and i was trying to figure out what is leaking??? All I can figure is it is from snow melting/refreezing. I hope there is no permanent damage, though i can see that the unglassed wood panels in the locker are way warped... The boat is tarped, so I think I can rule out a foredeck leak (also no ice in the collection tube that enters the locker) The locker hatch still seems watertight - I poured some water over it, and saw to leakage afterwards. However, there is ice in the bottom of the cockpit, as the cockpit's scupper drain is frozen shut. I guess it could it be that the drain is cracked or unsealed, but could water backing up through the drain flood the locker to nearly full???? Has anyone else had this problem? Looking forward to any input!
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Leaks -
Ok - First - water cannot pool to a level above the level of the leak, though you can get some capilary action, so you know that its coming from above. The drain theory makes sense if the water in the locker is still below the level of scuppers. If there was water in the drains when the cockpit froze, it is likely the expansion of the ice cracked them. Are they glass all the way, or is there hose? Never looked closely at the arrangement on a 22. I would start dealing with this by putting a heater on the boat to melt the ice in the locker, then bailing it. I would not put salt in the locker to melt it - a friend tried that and was sorry about the mess later. Then, when the locker is empty, go to Walmart and buy a package of children's sidewalk chalk. Use a different color on each side, and draw a line on each side above the level you found the water at. You're going to need to do something about the wood anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the chalk much. The next time it rains, the area the water is coming in through will have part of the line washed away as the water goes over it. This will let you start to narrow the source of the leak. Good luck - let us know what you find. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Ok - First - water cannot pool to a level above the level of the leak, though you can get some capilary action, so you know that its coming from above. The drain theory makes sense if the water in the locker is still below the level of scuppers. If there was water in the drains when the cockpit froze, it is likely the expansion of the ice cracked them. Are they glass all the way, or is there hose? Never looked closely at the arrangement on a 22. I would start dealing with this by putting a heater on the boat to melt the ice in the locker, then bailing it. I would not put salt in the locker to melt it - a friend tried that and was sorry about the mess later. Then, when the locker is empty, go to Walmart and buy a package of children's sidewalk chalk. Use a different color on each side, and draw a line on each side above the level you found the water at. You're going to need to do something about the wood anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the chalk much. The next time it rains, the area the water is coming in through will have part of the line washed away as the water goes over it. This will let you start to narrow the source of the leak. Good luck - let us know what you find. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
May be...
water entered in as rain, when one of the windy warmer fronts rolled through this past winter, blowing back the tarp enough to let the rain/wet snow roll down the deck and pool in the cockpit. Or a heavier than normal dump of snow gathered in a sag in the tarp and eventually fell in or melted and leaked through small tears in the tarp. The cockpit drain may have a tear in the hose, or has cracked due to freezing as Justin says causing the water to dump into the locker bilge. Accumulated junk in the drain over the years may have blocked the tube enough to allow a build up of ice. I would doubt that volume of water came through a leaking portlight or hatch. When you have removed the water, check that drain tube. Hope its as simple as that. Don
water entered in as rain, when one of the windy warmer fronts rolled through this past winter, blowing back the tarp enough to let the rain/wet snow roll down the deck and pool in the cockpit. Or a heavier than normal dump of snow gathered in a sag in the tarp and eventually fell in or melted and leaked through small tears in the tarp. The cockpit drain may have a tear in the hose, or has cracked due to freezing as Justin says causing the water to dump into the locker bilge. Accumulated junk in the drain over the years may have blocked the tube enough to allow a build up of ice. I would doubt that volume of water came through a leaking portlight or hatch. When you have removed the water, check that drain tube. Hope its as simple as that. Don
Ideas,,,
Don's probably right. The cockpit drain clogs easily and is readily cleared with a twig or small probe. It should drain freely aft near the waterline, directly behind the rudder pintel. If you pour water in the cockpit, it should stream fully from that through-hull fitting. If the hose is severed then the water in the cockpit will drain into your bilge (and your locker). Is the interior wet also? If the bilge is getting the water, then the interior deck hatch (just at the companionway)might also have some ice (water) in it, as the water will naturally seek the lowest part of the boat. If not, perhaps the source of the water is closer to the starboard cockpit locker than elsewhere. It might be water that collects on the little bit of deck at the gunwhale by the winch. I find this little strip of deck is at the bottom of two slopes, and is always filling up when it rains. The water has no place to drain, so it pours over the rubrail. You might be getting capillary action through the rubrail which may lead to a wet locker. Just a thought. Take a peek at your gunwhales after a rain. Is there a little pool of stranded water? (even with a tarp on!) You might also have some small cracks in the cockpit deck that may exasperate the situation of the drain is blocked. Check that drain! Good luck and let us know what you find. Stu
Don's probably right. The cockpit drain clogs easily and is readily cleared with a twig or small probe. It should drain freely aft near the waterline, directly behind the rudder pintel. If you pour water in the cockpit, it should stream fully from that through-hull fitting. If the hose is severed then the water in the cockpit will drain into your bilge (and your locker). Is the interior wet also? If the bilge is getting the water, then the interior deck hatch (just at the companionway)might also have some ice (water) in it, as the water will naturally seek the lowest part of the boat. If not, perhaps the source of the water is closer to the starboard cockpit locker than elsewhere. It might be water that collects on the little bit of deck at the gunwhale by the winch. I find this little strip of deck is at the bottom of two slopes, and is always filling up when it rains. The water has no place to drain, so it pours over the rubrail. You might be getting capillary action through the rubrail which may lead to a wet locker. Just a thought. Take a peek at your gunwhales after a rain. Is there a little pool of stranded water? (even with a tarp on!) You might also have some small cracks in the cockpit deck that may exasperate the situation of the drain is blocked. Check that drain! Good luck and let us know what you find. Stu
Winter Water Wonderland
I had the same problem about three years ago up north with my 22. Even though she was stored under a tarp, heavy snowfall formed pockets in the tarp which then melted, froze, collected more, froze, melted and eventually found its way through the tarp and I ended up with 2-3 in. of water over the sole of the cabin. The strange thing is that she's been bone dry while tied up to my dock for the past two years (we had 4.5" of rain two days ago). Since I haven't rebedded any deck fittings in the interim, I can only conclude that contraction of materials (fiberglass, steel, bronze) in the cold must create openings for water to find its way below.
I had the same problem about three years ago up north with my 22. Even though she was stored under a tarp, heavy snowfall formed pockets in the tarp which then melted, froze, collected more, froze, melted and eventually found its way through the tarp and I ended up with 2-3 in. of water over the sole of the cabin. The strange thing is that she's been bone dry while tied up to my dock for the past two years (we had 4.5" of rain two days ago). Since I haven't rebedded any deck fittings in the interim, I can only conclude that contraction of materials (fiberglass, steel, bronze) in the cold must create openings for water to find its way below.
More info added
In response to your responses so far, I want to say THANK YOU! You guys are very helpful, I appreciate it! I should mention that the bilge is bone dry, with no other leaks apparent other than the locker itself. I will have to try the chalk thing, justin - that's simple and brilliant! Geez! Also, I do have a lot of pooling near the winch. Good possiblility there also. Thanks again for all your input!
In response to your responses so far, I want to say THANK YOU! You guys are very helpful, I appreciate it! I should mention that the bilge is bone dry, with no other leaks apparent other than the locker itself. I will have to try the chalk thing, justin - that's simple and brilliant! Geez! Also, I do have a lot of pooling near the winch. Good possiblility there also. Thanks again for all your input!
water problems
hey, Mike, I went down to my boat, another O'day 22, just today. I also found water . The cabin seemed dry enough, but several inches were in the storage lockers under the seats.It has never gotten any water in it at mooring, though.When I bought it it had at least a foot of water in it, and I had to replace the rubber hose in the cockpit drain.It has been fine since, untill now. I am going to pump it out and let it dry and see what happens now that I have taken the tarp off.I bet you'll find everything will be ok with yours.
hey, Mike, I went down to my boat, another O'day 22, just today. I also found water . The cabin seemed dry enough, but several inches were in the storage lockers under the seats.It has never gotten any water in it at mooring, though.When I bought it it had at least a foot of water in it, and I had to replace the rubber hose in the cockpit drain.It has been fine since, untill now. I am going to pump it out and let it dry and see what happens now that I have taken the tarp off.I bet you'll find everything will be ok with yours.
Another look
I just came back from the boatyard. After taking a closer look, it seems that the water/ice level in the locker, though quite full, is still below the level of the cockpit drain. So it is possible that the hose has ruptured. I guess I will have to look at and possibly replace the drain hose. Next question: John, how the heck do you do that? Is there a trick to it?
I just came back from the boatyard. After taking a closer look, it seems that the water/ice level in the locker, though quite full, is still below the level of the cockpit drain. So it is possible that the hose has ruptured. I guess I will have to look at and possibly replace the drain hose. Next question: John, how the heck do you do that? Is there a trick to it?
Bilge pump
John, I had a boat that had the bilge pump connected to the cockpit drain. The flappers were worn and water backed up through the pump and drained into the bilge. I put a high loop in the drain and changed the flappers. r.w.landau
John, I had a boat that had the bilge pump connected to the cockpit drain. The flappers were worn and water backed up through the pump and drained into the bilge. I put a high loop in the drain and changed the flappers. r.w.landau
headstand
mike, You may want someone to stand by while you dive head first into the starboard cockpit storage locker. If you get stuck they can wrap the halyard around your ankles to drag you back out! There was a flimsy piece of quarter inch plywood at the very rear end of the locker, and I punched it out and reached through;I was almost all the way in, and if you are claustophobic you may want to skip it! I also had to replace the through-hull fitting back there. The hose was just a straight piece of radiator hose,about one and a half by eight inches if memory serves me . If you can't get it that way you could cut an access hole just above the drain well and cover it afterwards. Good luck!
mike, You may want someone to stand by while you dive head first into the starboard cockpit storage locker. If you get stuck they can wrap the halyard around your ankles to drag you back out! There was a flimsy piece of quarter inch plywood at the very rear end of the locker, and I punched it out and reached through;I was almost all the way in, and if you are claustophobic you may want to skip it! I also had to replace the through-hull fitting back there. The hose was just a straight piece of radiator hose,about one and a half by eight inches if memory serves me . If you can't get it that way you could cut an access hole just above the drain well and cover it afterwards. Good luck!
Been there, done that,,, sort of.
(In response to John's comments Hey John, Glad to hear I'm not the only person who tried to venture into the stbd. cockpit locker. I was in there not long ago trying to tighten the bolts on the new motor mount I put in. I cannot imagine just how to get under the cockpit though, as I am 6 feet 3.5 inches in height, and my 36 inch waist has a real hard time twisting through that narrow opening. Trying to manipulate tools, hose clamps all the while dealing with the blood pooling in the head must be a real feat of acrobatics. You have my simpathies Mike if you have to "go down under". I advise removing as much as you can out of the locker before going in and don't wear clothing that can catch up on things (belts, tools, hooks whatever. Also having someone standing by is a good idea, as I almost got snagged up in there myself once. Good Luck. Stu Timm "Karakahl"
(In response to John's comments
Hey John, Glad to hear I'm not the only person who tried to venture into the stbd. cockpit locker. I was in there not long ago trying to tighten the bolts on the new motor mount I put in. I cannot imagine just how to get under the cockpit though, as I am 6 feet 3.5 inches in height, and my 36 inch waist has a real hard time twisting through that narrow opening. Trying to manipulate tools, hose clamps all the while dealing with the blood pooling in the head must be a real feat of acrobatics. You have my simpathies Mike if you have to "go down under". I advise removing as much as you can out of the locker before going in and don't wear clothing that can catch up on things (belts, tools, hooks whatever. Also having someone standing by is a good idea, as I almost got snagged up in there myself once. Good Luck. Stu Timm "Karakahl"I FIXED IT
Whew! What a time I had yesterday! I squeezed myself into the Starboard cockpit locker (eww, it's dirty down there), and at 6'2", 210 lbs there was not too much room to maneuver! Apparently, I am bit claustrophobic... Who knew! Taking all the advice that was given me, i punched through the flimsy, rotted plywood to find that the radiator hose connecting my through-hull fittings had split! Also, the plastic nut on the outer-hull fitting had cracked through. So, two new fittings and one new hose later - problem solved! It's funny to see all the styrofoam flotation planking just thrown in there. Thanks again for all the great advice! This forum really works. Now, if I can just get the crimps out of my neck and back... - Michael R
Whew! What a time I had yesterday! I squeezed myself into the Starboard cockpit locker (eww, it's dirty down there), and at 6'2", 210 lbs there was not too much room to maneuver! Apparently, I am bit claustrophobic... Who knew! Taking all the advice that was given me, i punched through the flimsy, rotted plywood to find that the radiator hose connecting my through-hull fittings had split! Also, the plastic nut on the outer-hull fitting had cracked through. So, two new fittings and one new hose later - problem solved! It's funny to see all the styrofoam flotation planking just thrown in there. Thanks again for all the great advice! This forum really works. Now, if I can just get the crimps out of my neck and back... - Michael R
re leak
If the cockpit floor is cracked, water may be leaking through there. If it is , the core may delaminate, so check that thoroughly! The cockpit drain on my 22 is by a hose. Check that first. You'll obviously have to remove the plywood partition to access the hose and remove the styrofoam flotation to get all the water out. Good luck!
If the cockpit floor is cracked, water may be leaking through there. If it is , the core may delaminate, so check that thoroughly! The cockpit drain on my 22 is by a hose. Check that first. You'll obviously have to remove the plywood partition to access the hose and remove the styrofoam flotation to get all the water out. Good luck!
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