HELP,,, can't find the leak.

[Small Seed]

We have a 1990 Beneteau First 285, new to us this year, and have a leak somewhere in the boat that we cannot locate. Bilge will fill up to near overflowing in a matter of days. We thought it was the fresh water tank at first but nearly emptied it the last time we left the boat and just found the bilge at near overflow in 4 days. We have closed all through hatches and checked what we could see of the water line to and from the bilge pump (which is also not working but that's a separate issue). Stuffing box is dry. Does anyone have any ideas??

Mary

 

[Small Seed]

Additionally, my husband is asking whether it might be the prop shaft, and how can he inspect the through hull valve under the head floor?? Any suggestions???

 

[Small Seed]

Okay, the good news is that he found the leak. It's at the rudder post, now how to fix it???
Any ideas???

 

[SoSound]

…Too bad that you didn't get more activity on your post… No brilliant ideas on how to solve the problem if it is in fact coming from the rudder post. Sorry.

We had a 1990 First 285 with a leak that "looked" like it was coming from the rudder post, but there were two other sources and actually no leak at the rudder post. I always thought that the rudder post was slightly above the water line anyway. If not on your boat, I'd ask why it is under water.

On our boat; one problem was with the propane tank locker on the transom. The sealant had disintegrated, and when it rained heavily or we had wind driven rain from astern, we would get water coming in around the flange. The other problem was with the swim ladder… At faster speeds under motor the swim ladder mounting point would be submerged. When the swim ladder was submerged, we'd get water in the boat. At our last haul out, I rebedded the swim ladder. Another 'workaround' was to limit our top motoring speeds so that we kept the swim ladder out of the water.

You could also check the engine control panel, I think its design is similar to the propane locker.

Good luck!

 

[Small Seed]

Thank you for this information. As it turns out there was the rudder post leak, another at the swim ladder as you described and worst of all, a breach at the keel, which is where the nulk of the water was coming from. We are now researching how best to have the keel removed, cleaned and rebed. We may tackle the job on our own. I am also looking to find any technical drawings for the First 285. Ours is a 1990 year,,, any ideas on that???

 

[SPCSail]

Thank you for this information. As it turns out there was the rudder post leak, another at the swim ladder as you described and worst of all, a breach at the keel, which is where the nulk of the water was coming from. We are now researching how best to have the keel removed, cleaned and rebed. We may tackle the job on our own. I am also looking to find any technical drawings for the First 285. Ours is a 1990 year,,, any ideas on that???

I realize this post is someone old but trying out of desperation...where and how do you access the internal bolts on the swim ladder? A dock line broke during a recent storm and the swim ladder hit the dock causing damage to it and the mounting area through the boat. I will need to do some epoxy work for sure. I started to remove the propane locker but seeing that they used 5200 to seal it that will be a job. Can access be gained through the aft stateroom or perhaps the starboard storage locker under the seat?


Thanks in advance.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Priority #1: Fix--better yet, REPLACE--the bilge pump(s)!! From your description of the water level in the boat, it would have been on the bottom if you'd stayed away even for a couple more days. You NEED a working bilge pump...or two..or three (whatever the specs for your boat call for)!

 

[SPCSail]

Thank you for the comment. I should've mentioned the boat is on the hard so the priority is to remove and fix the damage to ladder which
Will fix the leak. Prior to this I didnt leak a drop.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Whew!