Bilge water mystery

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Old Sailor 2

Old Sailor 2

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Oct 19, 2011
181
Hunter 42 Passage San Diego, CA
When I bought my 1992 42 Passage two years ago I had a dry bilge and thought how lucky I am! But I bet it was because the PO did not sail her much. It seems now I have water in the bilge and I am not sure of it's origin. I tasted it and it does not contain the strong salt taste but it certainly is not fresh either. I have put food coloring in my water tanks (darned aluminum original water tanks anyway!) and will see in two weeks if that is the source of the water. BUT, in reading the book "Imperfect Passage" (great book of 60 year old man sailing out of San Diego!) he speaks of a leak he had that was unfound but repaired by caulking the boat. I have noticed that some of the caulk between the hull and deck of my boat is protruding so I just peel it from the seam and move on. Could THAT be the source of my bilge water, small leak between the deck and the hull??? Anyone with any experience here?? As usual, thanks! Sandy
 
D

dcfleming

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Sep 6, 2011
14
Hunter 25.5 Fort Worth
If you are in salt water and the water didn’t taste salty, and your food coloring doesn’t show up in your bilge, then the source must be coming through the deck and running around the hull and ending up in the bilge. Over the past two years I've re-bedded all my deck fixtures and hardware and about half a dozen mysterious and untraceable leaks have dried up and never returned. If this is the case though you should be seeing at least a slight increase in bilge build up after heavy rain or dew.
 
KD3PC

KD3PC

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Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
Do you run the air conditioner...? The two units on my 1991 accounted for 90% of the water in the bilge, not fresh and not salty...AC units.

Best of luck...
 
Old Sailor 2

Old Sailor 2

.
Oct 19, 2011
181
Hunter 42 Passage San Diego, CA
dcfleming said:
If you are in salt water and the water didn’t taste salty, and your food coloring doesn’t show up in your bilge, then the source must be coming through the deck and running around the hull and ending up in the bilge. Over the past two years I've re-bedded all my deck fixtures and hardware and about half a dozen mysterious and untraceable leaks have dried up and never returned. If this is the case though you should be seeing at least a slight increase in bilge build up after heavy rain or dew.
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thanks for the insight. By deck fixtures are you meaning your hatches, cleats and winches or other? I will pay particular attention when I wash down my deck. that could be an indication of whether that is the culprit! Thanks again, Sandy
 
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