Beneteau 38 moorings bilge filling up????

Status
Not open for further replies.
Oct 27, 2008
16
Beneteau 38 marina
I have a 38 moorings 1991. Have it at the yard for the last 5 weeks. Water keeps filling up in the bilge. Had the keel resealed, bolts tightened and water is still coming in. Put food coloring in the 3 tanks and water still coming in but not from tanks. Have a scematic of the water lines of the 38 and they will try to pressurize the lines to see if one is leaking. Checked everywhere else and no leaks. any thoughts with this model. went sailing over the weekend light breeze and got back and the water filling in the bilge started again.
 

mowens

.
Jun 4, 2009
1
2 343 NY
cjgrabell said:
I have a 38 moorings 1991. Have it at the yard for the last 5 weeks. Water keeps filling up in the bilge. Had the keel resealed, bolts tightened and water is still coming in. Put food coloring in the 3 tanks and water still coming in but not from tanks. Have a scematic of the water lines of the 38 and they will try to pressurize the lines to see if one is leaking. Checked everywhere else and no leaks. any thoughts with this model. went sailing over the weekend light breeze and got back and the water filling in the bilge started again.
I had this problem on my 343. Might want to just turn off the fresh water pump when your out sailing and see if you still get water. Also, you might want to taste water.....at least you'll know if it's salty you have a bigger problem. I finally found a leak in the hot water line under the floor boards of the starboard locker. Good luck. Matt
 
Jun 4, 2004
287
Beneteau Oceanis 352 NYC
I agree with mowens, you first need to find out if it's salt water or fresh water. I turn my fresh water pump if the water is not in use. If it's salt water, you have to check all your thru hulls valves and if you have a speedometer, check the daisy well and transponder seals.

I had a water tank that would leak from the view port in rough seas or healing of 10 -15 degrees. The carpet in the front cabin would be wet and it took me a while to figure out what was actually leaking.
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
If you've tightened ALL hose clamps, that's a start. Maybe sprinkle some baby powder around, then see where it gets washed away. Otherwise, get off the helm seat and onto your knees with a flashlight and look in every cubbyhole there is. That much water is coming from somehwere and should be seeable.
 
Jan 22, 2008
250
Cherubini 37c HULL#37 Alameda
I had a mysterious leak and after tracing the whole water/plumbing system, through hulls, packing gland, head, tanks, keel bolts and every other conceivable place water might coming in. Found out it was coming from under the water heater. Turned out the plastic T-fittings on the water lines were brittle and had developed cracks only after ten years. You have to take out the water heater to get at em. Replaced them with brass fittings. Bilge was dry as a bone from then on.
 
Oct 31, 2011
1
Beneteau M500 Hampton
Filling up with water

I have a 38 moorings 1991. Have it at the yard for the last 5 weeks. Water keeps filling up in the bilge. Had the keel resealed, bolts tightened and water is still coming in. Put food coloring in the 3 tanks and water still coming in but not from tanks. Have a scematic of the water lines of the 38 and they will try to pressurize the lines to see if one is leaking. Checked everywhere else and no leaks. any thoughts with this model. went sailing over the weekend light breeze and got back and the water filling in the bilge started again.
Hello
have you checked your mast step, water fills up inside the mast then seeps out at the bottom, I spent all day one time looking for the same thing only to discover it was coming from where the mast met the keel
 
Oct 27, 2008
16
Beneteau 38 marina
Thank you had the boat hauled out again all keel bolts looked good had the keel dropped a re padded I think it was 5200. Found a leak by the water heater replaced that. Now need to hope that the 6 gallons that probably leaked out of it will eventually all make it to the bilge. Bilge has been filling up on a regular basis but I hope it is residual. Many thanks,
Craig
 
Jun 3, 2004
16
Beneteau 381 Oceanis Harborage/St. Pete
Water line leak

I just found my leak! It turned out to be the water line behind the stove. Hard place to get to! Had to cut an access port in the side that seperates the seated area fron the galley. Found the hose had a 16th of an inch slit. That can really put water in the bilge.
 

Tom J

.
Sep 30, 2008
2,325
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
water leak

I just found my leak! It turned out to be the water line behind the stove. Hard place to get to! Had to cut an access port in the side that seperates the seated area fron the galley. Found the hose had a 16th of an inch slit. That can really put water in the bilge.
Congratulations! Such a relief, isn't it? BTW, a leak in the fresh water system will often make the water pump cycle on and off, for no apparent reason. Ask me how I know this.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.