how much water do you take on in a given time in your bilge while at dock or mooring? In addition what boat do you have?
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A Well Maintained Boat ...................
............ should not take on any water while not under way. The most common source of water ingress is through the shaft gland which should not leak when the shaft is stationary. Best regards, s/v Island Hunter
............ should not take on any water while not under way. The most common source of water ingress is through the shaft gland which should not leak when the shaft is stationary. Best regards, s/v Island Hunter
None
None if you remove the 19th century technology stuffing boxes that yacht producers still fit as original equipment. Any mechanical face seal will do the job.
None if you remove the 19th century technology stuffing boxes that yacht producers still fit as original equipment. Any mechanical face seal will do the job.
Possible Sources
Agreed that a well maintained boat should not take on water. But since not all of us have the time to have a perfectly maintained boat, some bildges do have water. Three possible sources: -Thru hull leak or other below water line issue -Topsides rain water leak - Internal leak from fresh water system Plenty of disscussion on all three in the archives. My 85 Hunter 31 has topsides leaks. Given moderate rain conditions for the Northeast I usually accumulate 2-3oz of bilge water per week. Originally I had a leaking through hull, that filled the bilge until activating the pump about once an hour, faster when underway. I also had a leaking fitting in the freash water tank, about one drop per minute. In time I strive to have a dry bilge, maybe when I retire and have more than 20 hrs a week to spend aboard. Chasing leaks on the older Hunters is a way of life. Think logically and read the archives. Good luck.
Agreed that a well maintained boat should not take on water. But since not all of us have the time to have a perfectly maintained boat, some bildges do have water. Three possible sources: -Thru hull leak or other below water line issue -Topsides rain water leak - Internal leak from fresh water system Plenty of disscussion on all three in the archives. My 85 Hunter 31 has topsides leaks. Given moderate rain conditions for the Northeast I usually accumulate 2-3oz of bilge water per week. Originally I had a leaking through hull, that filled the bilge until activating the pump about once an hour, faster when underway. I also had a leaking fitting in the freash water tank, about one drop per minute. In time I strive to have a dry bilge, maybe when I retire and have more than 20 hrs a week to spend aboard. Chasing leaks on the older Hunters is a way of life. Think logically and read the archives. Good luck.
Bilge water depends
on how well your boat is maintained. As Bob G. indicates, a perfectly dry bilge can be obtained but at an expense. Some water movement is healthy on your vessel, it rinses out the stagnant stinky stuff. Your stuffing box should be your only source of leak and that should be a couple of drops a minute while motoring and none while not. That said, if you have a couple of drops a minute not motoring, that's still not bad. Your Hunter 34 has a liner that loves to trap water and it takes a while for it to find it's way to the bilge. This liner water that takes time to find its way to the bilge may give you the impression that you are leaking while docked but in reality, your leak was from motoring. You would especially have this problem if you are moored because of the extra motion and water movement. I would strive for one bilge cycle every 3 or 4 days. Mine is over a week so I intentionally add a bucket of water to the bilge to rinse things out.
on how well your boat is maintained. As Bob G. indicates, a perfectly dry bilge can be obtained but at an expense. Some water movement is healthy on your vessel, it rinses out the stagnant stinky stuff. Your stuffing box should be your only source of leak and that should be a couple of drops a minute while motoring and none while not. That said, if you have a couple of drops a minute not motoring, that's still not bad. Your Hunter 34 has a liner that loves to trap water and it takes a while for it to find it's way to the bilge. This liner water that takes time to find its way to the bilge may give you the impression that you are leaking while docked but in reality, your leak was from motoring. You would especially have this problem if you are moored because of the extra motion and water movement. I would strive for one bilge cycle every 3 or 4 days. Mine is over a week so I intentionally add a bucket of water to the bilge to rinse things out.
Cooler water ?
The ice that I throw in the cooler ends up in the bilge when it melts. That's my biggest source of water. I'm tempted to run a hose from the cooler drain into a removable bucket/container that could live under the cabin sole. That way, I'd know which water was coming from where. Chris
The ice that I throw in the cooler ends up in the bilge when it melts. That's my biggest source of water. I'm tempted to run a hose from the cooler drain into a removable bucket/container that could live under the cabin sole. That way, I'd know which water was coming from where. Chris
I had mine stuffing box repacked and now
the boat has no water in the bilge at all while on the mooring. Only 2 to 4 drops while the motor is runnng.. I think this is as good as it's going get.
the boat has no water in the bilge at all while on the mooring. Only 2 to 4 drops while the motor is runnng.. I think this is as good as it's going get.
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