Just bought a '82 27Cat. The bilge has remained completely dry until I recently motored it to a marina to have the bottom painted. What may have caused the bilge to fill underway ? Thank you.
Cat27 Bilge fills underway
- Thread starter NAUTIGULL
- Start date
Packing material? You may want to repack or convert to a dripless while you have it out. A thru hull should have leaked sitting still.
It is a common occurrence that water that was previously trapped in the stringers below the sole would become dislodged with boat motion releasing some of it into the bilge. The sources of this water could be rain leaks, leaks in water tank or plumbing, lake water spray when under sail, wash downs, etc. The points of entry could be deck fixtures, hatches, portholes, plumbing and drain hoses, keel bolts, packing gland etc. The reality is that there are likely to be a good number of gallons trapped down there and will continue to release slowly and could be ever present as long as there might be leaks. Check the packing gland or shaft seal as it is designed to drip a few times a minute but sometimes may drip more often and this water usually goes directly into the bilge.
Packing Gland
Water Pump weeping (if inboard)
Rudder post packing (depends on specific steering,etc that's there)
Leaking muffler/exhaust (if inboard)
Fresh water tank leaks in a seaway (water would be fresh)
etc..
I'd dry out the bilge. Go out with somebody else driving the boat. Grab a flashlight and start looking.
Water Pump weeping (if inboard)
Rudder post packing (depends on specific steering,etc that's there)
Leaking muffler/exhaust (if inboard)
Fresh water tank leaks in a seaway (water would be fresh)
etc..
I'd dry out the bilge. Go out with somebody else driving the boat. Grab a flashlight and start looking.
Does it do it under sail or only when you motor? Motoring could cause the stern to squat down, and certain through hulls which are normally above the waterline might be submerged, and perhaps are leaking. Likewise for the rudder post packing gland, assuming that your boat has one. This is something else to consider in addition to all of the other good suggestions that you have already received.
As a former dealer and what some mentioned, the boat is dry when it does not move. That is a key. The first thing is to see if the packing gland nuts which to tighten that is tight or loose. remember when running that style will allow for water drip thru the shaft about 2-3 drops per minute to cool the shaft from overheating when turning at high RPM. Being a 27 while out of the water, I would have the gland checked and replaced if needed unless you go with a dripless.
The next if not above is the diesel engine if one on board, rudder post, and transom in that order unless you cannot find water stains or trails of water from the rudder post or transom area.
The next if not above is the diesel engine if one on board, rudder post, and transom in that order unless you cannot find water stains or trails of water from the rudder post or transom area.
He said his bilge was "filled". That's a lot of water to come from a stuffing box or rudder packing just motoring a short distance. I am thinking more of a water hose or water pump leak. He is from Denver, NC and is most likely on Lake Norman.......not a big lake where he would have been motoring very long. Maybe he will chime in soon.
ps.....could be an exhaust line or muffler leak too.
ps.....could be an exhaust line or muffler leak too.
Last edited:
That may have been an exaggeration. If I was new to sailing, any water getting in would get me pretty excited! Further explanation is needed
Also look at your cockpit drain hoses. They are typically above the waterline but might be under water a bit while under way. Hoses will rot out over a number of years and they may have never been changed. For an 82 boat all your hoses could be 35 years old. I had a 79 Cat 25 and they used gate valves for through hulls for the sink drains, those should be changed out as well with proper seacocks or ball valves with an adapter.
Check your bilge/pump hose system. There is a stop valve in the manual pump.. but you should have another in line somewhere. Also, there should be an anti-siphon loop in the hose that takes it above waterline to prevent water finds its way back down the line through the discharge hull fitting.
Your through hull can be exposed to water if the boat heels when sailing, or squats when under power.
Your through hull can be exposed to water if the boat heels when sailing, or squats when under power.
Kito;
I was wondering that too. If the fellow is motoring to the marina to be hauled out, it would be All Seasons and the yard mgr. Tim McRory is very well educated with sailboat repairs and if that is the fellow he is dealing with, it would be to his best interest to get Tim involved. Tim use to be specifically a sailboat repairman and knows the Catalina 27. I should know as he worked on them for me on Lake Norman to include the older 27 and the 270 for me as a dealer there.
I was wondering that too. If the fellow is motoring to the marina to be hauled out, it would be All Seasons and the yard mgr. Tim McRory is very well educated with sailboat repairs and if that is the fellow he is dealing with, it would be to his best interest to get Tim involved. Tim use to be specifically a sailboat repairman and knows the Catalina 27. I should know as he worked on them for me on Lake Norman to include the older 27 and the 270 for me as a dealer there.
I never met Tim but talked to him on the phone. He is going to set the mast and maybe install my new furler when I get my H30 ready to launch. He seems to know his stuff. Maybe he got the OP squared away since he seemed to have disappeared.
Kito,
I have known Tim for many years at an old marina where Govenors Landing is now and he is highly respected for his knowledge and professionalism AS WELL AS HIS WORKMANSHIP. He knows sailboats. Sadly he had to put up with a crazy dude like me for many years and I call him my little brother. IF the OP went to him, I bet you he got squared away. Tell him big brother says hello..
I have known Tim for many years at an old marina where Govenors Landing is now and he is highly respected for his knowledge and professionalism AS WELL AS HIS WORKMANSHIP. He knows sailboats. Sadly he had to put up with a crazy dude like me for many years and I call him my little brother. IF the OP went to him, I bet you he got squared away. Tell him big brother says hello..