Help Before I Drown - Hull Water Leak

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Scott Bernhard

1985 Hunter 31. The bilge pump is going off every 5 minutes, worst when heeled to starboard. Can see running water inside hull from very rear of boat, aft of the rudder and just to starboard. Water splits with half running to bilge and some to engine compartment pan (which does not pump). Have checked and adjusted stuffing box, fresh water intake thru hull, exhaust hoses at thru hull, rear lazaratte (dry), emergency tiller, rear cockpit drain thru hull, etc. Can see running water from rear access hatch behind batteries. Help..... this is driving me nuts, where is the water coming from???
 
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m. joseph

hull water leak

I had a problem with water leaking into the boat when heeled to starboard. Found that a waterline thru-hull was cracked and only leaking water when heeled, causing the outer flange to pull away from hull. when on even keel the leek was almost impossible to find because the plastic positioned itself perfectly. Found it by following every hose to its thru-hull and applying vertical & horizontal pressure.
 
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Scott Johnston

Fresh or Salt

Did you check to see if it was salt or fresh water? (of course if you are sailing on a lake it would be a big suprise to find salt water) If fresh - could be your aft water tank has a leak? Scott 83-H34 Island Hops
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Could it be....ah ah?

Scott: Could it be that you have water comming in the rudder shaft where the rubber collar attaches with the hose clamps to the housing? Does it happen when you are at the dock or only under sail/power? Aren't boats fun?
 
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Scott B

Still Stumped - Glug Glug

Good replies all. I have inspected the H20 tank and pulled the cover. Doesnt seem to be it. Also checked the hose at the rudder, no apparent leak. When at rest it doesnt leak, but put three or four people in the back, and motor or sail and WHOA BABY!!! Any more ideas? I'm going back to the thru hulls and push on them like suggested... Also thinking of dye?
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Difficult, must be a teenager

Scott: This would seem to indicate that something is causing pressure when moving. I would remove the cushions in the aft compartment and get a couple of bright laterns. Have someone sail the boat on different tacks and see if there is something going on. Also check the strut for the prop. It seems that this would leak all the time but who knows. I would think about wrapping some paper around the rudder shaft and see if it is getting wet. What about water comming from the muffler and following the hose into the engine compartment. HOW much water are you getting? Are you in salt or fresh water. If salt you can at least taste it to see if it is comming from the outside.
 
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Jock Muir

Similar problem right now.

I have my boat out of the water right now. It appears that the rudder post tube, a glassed in part of the hull, has a void in the fiberglass. The dealer mechanic pulled off the rudder, cut out the rudder bearing and the rudder post tub is pitted. At this point is looks like the original fiberglass had an air bubble or void. Is you water coming in from near the rudder post?
 
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