Calling all 40.5's:dry bilge?

[Ron Hughes]

My previous boat, a 35.5 had an almost dry bilge most off the time. My 1994 40.5 with a PYI dripless packing gland has a small amount of water there even in the dry months. I have not spent very much time looking into it, but wondered what the rest of you were experiancing. I think I have a tiny leak in the bottom of my anchor well and intend to fill the little puddle that is below the drain with marine -tex. I imagine that I have some water from running the fridge constantly. I also imagine that I might have some fresh water system leaks or maybe it's just the hull sweating. I just thought that you folks might have some collective knowledge that you might share. Cap'n Ron and Admiral Wendy s/v Best Revenge Portland, Oregon.

 

[Rich Stidger]

About 1.5" all the time

We have a 1997 h40.5 and the level that which the bilge pump will not pump out. I believe that the refridgerator, stuffing box, and AC units drain into that sump, as well as the seawater that enters when you clean the knotmeter transducer.I wash out the refridgerator each weekend and dump a couple of quarts into it in the process. The stuffing box addition is minimal (I think) and the AC units could put a fair amount in during humid weather - which is when we tend to run them.I don't really have any concern if it is dry or not. It doesn't stink, and if I get all of my more important jobs done, I will scrub out the 'bathtub ring' with a long handled brush and a little dish detergent.

 

[Patrick Magers]

Dry Bilge

I owed a 40.5 for five years and make several efforts to keep the bilge dry. The main reason was due to the difficulty in cleaning up the wet bilge with the sump depth of about four feet to get to the bottom of the bilge. First step is to place a wine bottle cork in the bottom of the frig into the drain hole . It will fit perfectly and give you a water tight seal. The condensation draining directly into the bilge will ALWAYS keep the bilge wet. This is a very easy and cheap fix (assuming you drink cheap wine). Every two weeks dry out the bottom portion of the frig and thats it. You already have a PSS dripless gland. You mentioned a possible leak in the anchor well. There is a small one inch in length tube running from the port side bottom of the anchor well compartment to the port side bow to drain the anchor well. The anchor well will take on water from rain, washing the boat or while sailing in that the bow wave wil kick up water which will run from the outside back into the anchor well filling a small amount into the bottom of the anchor well compartment. All of this of course is quite normal and any water ultimately drains out of the compartment. The problem presents itself when the small drain tube leaks either where it attaches to the hull or where it attaches to the anchor well compartment. This can result in water continually dribbling into the bilge. The fix is difficult because of the limited access by way of the storage compartment under the forward bunk. If you can reach the tube by hand try Capt. Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure sold at West Marine. Also give the drain hole in the bottom of the anchor well a liberal dose with the hope it will find the leak.

 

[Jim Vincent]

40.5 dry bilge

Ron, i have a '93 40.5, something else maybe to look at is the fill hose for freshwater tanks. if you "top-off" your tanks and the hose clamps from the fill hose to the tank is loose, it'll leak there and into the bilge,(mine did). also, the other post was right, the a/c will dump a good bit into the bilge. good luck! jim vincent, Toucan

 

[JOE]

CHECK THE HEAD LINES

I INSTALLED A PSS DRIPLESS AND STILL HAD WATER IN THE BILGE. AFTER LOOKING FOR THIS LEAK FOR A MONTH I FOUND BY ACCEDENT THAT MY "Y" OR AIR VALVE ON THE HEAD WATER LINE WAS LEAKING EVERYTIME I WAS PUMPING OUT. ALSO READ THE OTHER SUJESTIONS. GOOD LUCK..