I've been boating for years, but I bought my first sailboat last week and I think I got taken. When I was inspecting the boat before I bought it the owner said he had the bottom done 4 years ago. I looked in the hatches and saw a very small amount of water and he said some splashes up through the "volcano" on rough days. I tapped around a little and seemed fine. After 2 days of having fun teaching myself how to sail I opened the hatch and saw about 2 gallons of water in the hull. After bailing it out I started really pushing on the hull and it's making a squishing sound and moving a little. I know, I should have had it checked out by a pro, but the rest of the boat looked really nice for 3K so I assumed he was shooting me straight. The boat stays in fresh water if that maters, what should I do? Is it a total loss??? Thanks
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Cored Hull?
Hmmm. I doubt the hull is cored. Let's see, that's a retractable keel, huh? Perhaps some leakage long the trunk? Maybe some along the hull to deck joint (did you have the rail in the water?) Here is what I have done to ID leaks. I take a dry-erase marker pen and mark around all the suspect areas. You can get a pretty good idea where the leak is by just seeing where it's gone. The other thing is to put someone aboard with a good flashlight when you sail next and have them check out all over while you are underway. I'm sure others will have good suggestions. BTW, I doubt you have hull problems. I'd be real surprised if that hull is cored and if it's solid, it's not at all likely to have delaminated. The squishing you hear may be along the hull to bulkhead joint. Good luck. RIck D.
Hmmm. I doubt the hull is cored. Let's see, that's a retractable keel, huh? Perhaps some leakage long the trunk? Maybe some along the hull to deck joint (did you have the rail in the water?) Here is what I have done to ID leaks. I take a dry-erase marker pen and mark around all the suspect areas. You can get a pretty good idea where the leak is by just seeing where it's gone. The other thing is to put someone aboard with a good flashlight when you sail next and have them check out all over while you are underway. I'm sure others will have good suggestions. BTW, I doubt you have hull problems. I'd be real surprised if that hull is cored and if it's solid, it's not at all likely to have delaminated. The squishing you hear may be along the hull to bulkhead joint. Good luck. RIck D.
got a hose?
If all you have is 2 gallons in your bilge after 2 days I wouldn't be worried. I bought a venture/Mac 25(1976) a year ago and on my first trip out i noticed water in my bilge but it was much more.Come to find out i was missing a hose that I guess goes over the "volcano". After installing that its been clear sailing.I hope this helps! Capt. Jack
If all you have is 2 gallons in your bilge after 2 days I wouldn't be worried. I bought a venture/Mac 25(1976) a year ago and on my first trip out i noticed water in my bilge but it was much more.Come to find out i was missing a hose that I guess goes over the "volcano". After installing that its been clear sailing.I hope this helps! Capt. Jack
chalk
you can get some line chalk (red) and sprinkle it around the suspected leaks. the trails will point you to the source. I'm guessing you had not hauled the boat... before buying? hmm.... well first thing is it sea or rain water... hopefully just one source.
you can get some line chalk (red) and sprinkle it around the suspected leaks. the trails will point you to the source. I'm guessing you had not hauled the boat... before buying? hmm.... well first thing is it sea or rain water... hopefully just one source.
- Jan 22, 2008
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volcano?
I'm always interested in learning something new. What is the Volcano? I am assuming that you are talking about the hole where the cb/swing keel lifting line comes through either trunk or cockpit opening. Please clarify for my edification.
I'm always interested in learning something new. What is the Volcano? I am assuming that you are talking about the hole where the cb/swing keel lifting line comes through either trunk or cockpit opening. Please clarify for my edification.
I assume the Volcano is the keel well..
correct? I think you need to do some serious work to save your boat. The swing keel (it is a swing keel?) is supported by wood beam. The wood beams are fiberglassed in to protect them from the water. The primary keel bolt is imbedded in this wood. You'll need to cut the fiberglass off to get to the wood. You'll need to remove the wood and the keel. You'll need to patch the fiberglass on the inside of the keel well. Then cut new wood support beams to match the old one you removed. Replace the wood beams and the keel. The fiberglass the beams back in. Your repair will last another 20 to 30 years. Call Catalina and ask for drawings. The may have pattern for the beams. Good luck. All keel boats lead. They are all a pain in the neck. More trouble then they are worth. There are problems with fixed keel that are bolted on too! Cheap boat are problems! You get what you pay for.
correct? I think you need to do some serious work to save your boat. The swing keel (it is a swing keel?) is supported by wood beam. The wood beams are fiberglassed in to protect them from the water. The primary keel bolt is imbedded in this wood. You'll need to cut the fiberglass off to get to the wood. You'll need to remove the wood and the keel. You'll need to patch the fiberglass on the inside of the keel well. Then cut new wood support beams to match the old one you removed. Replace the wood beams and the keel. The fiberglass the beams back in. Your repair will last another 20 to 30 years. Call Catalina and ask for drawings. The may have pattern for the beams. Good luck. All keel boats lead. They are all a pain in the neck. More trouble then they are worth. There are problems with fixed keel that are bolted on too! Cheap boat are problems! You get what you pay for.
gudgeon
Sounds like the bottom gudgeon needs to be re bedded, that's the first place I'd look. then look in the forward port locker (in front of the table) you will have to lean over to see it, but there is a keel locking bolt there, another area you'll likely to get a leak. There is a SS strap drilled and tapped glassed in, they rust out. My advice remove it, glass the hole up. Also check the drain tubes (you might want to pull the boat before you check these) the cockpit drain is black iron on some, it too will rust away. I doubt any water came up through the Volcano. At least I've never managed to do that. The water that's squishing would that be under the table liner? If so it can be got out.
Sounds like the bottom gudgeon needs to be re bedded, that's the first place I'd look. then look in the forward port locker (in front of the table) you will have to lean over to see it, but there is a keel locking bolt there, another area you'll likely to get a leak. There is a SS strap drilled and tapped glassed in, they rust out. My advice remove it, glass the hole up. Also check the drain tubes (you might want to pull the boat before you check these) the cockpit drain is black iron on some, it too will rust away. I doubt any water came up through the Volcano. At least I've never managed to do that. The water that's squishing would that be under the table liner? If so it can be got out.
just so you know
The keel is held on by two hanger brackets, there is NO WOOD THERE! Geesh... There are four inserts embedded into the hull, four 5/16" bolts hold the keel on, the bolts are put on under the boat from the outside, the keel pin is a one inch Bronze pin not a bolt.
The keel is held on by two hanger brackets, there is NO WOOD THERE! Geesh... There are four inserts embedded into the hull, four 5/16" bolts hold the keel on, the bolts are put on under the boat from the outside, the keel pin is a one inch Bronze pin not a bolt.
Is it a Swing Keel?
I have a Catalina 22 with a swing keel. I discovered that when I would back out of my slip and to a point where I could switch into forward gear, water would come up the 2" rubber hose and into the bilge. I purchased a 2" rubber 'FERNCO' cap at the hardware store. I drilled a 1/4" hole in the center of the cap, then used a knife to split the cap so I could fit it around the keel cable and onto the top of the hose. I tightened the stainless clamp just enough to hold it in place. End of the water coming up the hose, and the keel cable won't get damaged by the soft rubber.
I have a Catalina 22 with a swing keel. I discovered that when I would back out of my slip and to a point where I could switch into forward gear, water would come up the 2" rubber hose and into the bilge. I purchased a 2" rubber 'FERNCO' cap at the hardware store. I drilled a 1/4" hole in the center of the cap, then used a knife to split the cap so I could fit it around the keel cable and onto the top of the hose. I tightened the stainless clamp just enough to hold it in place. End of the water coming up the hose, and the keel cable won't get damaged by the soft rubber.
Thanks!!!
Wow, thanks for all the help fellas! Roger, the volcano, as explained to me, is the glassed funnel coming out of the hull that the swing keel cable comes through. Capt. Jack, there is a piece of radiator hose the previous owner put on with two hose clamps. He said if you take the hose off water would come out since it would be below the waterline, hence the name volcano. Ken, the seller told me the keel pin and cable were replaced 4yrs ago when the bottom was done, but I didn't pull the boat so I really don't know. He showed me where that locking bolt is. It has already been broken and re-glassed in, he said from raising the keel without loosening it. It sounds like no mater what I need to pull it. Let me explain the squishing sound a little better. If I'm looking in the step hatch at the volcano, I can push on the hull just about everywhere I can reach and move the hull in and out maybe 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch. When I’m doing this it makes a squishing sound like I'm forcing water out between 2 pieces. I can also do this same thing pushing on the hull in the middle hatch where the locking bolt is. I'm not a fiberglass guy, I've always had steel and aluminum houseboats so if I could have ever moved my hull by hand, I'm looking for a life jacket. I really hate to spend more money to pull it only to find out it's going to cost thousands to fix it and be out half the summer. I'd rather bust the guys lip that sold it to me and sail it till it sinks. Sorry for the long winded message and thanks for everyone’s input!!!
Wow, thanks for all the help fellas! Roger, the volcano, as explained to me, is the glassed funnel coming out of the hull that the swing keel cable comes through. Capt. Jack, there is a piece of radiator hose the previous owner put on with two hose clamps. He said if you take the hose off water would come out since it would be below the waterline, hence the name volcano. Ken, the seller told me the keel pin and cable were replaced 4yrs ago when the bottom was done, but I didn't pull the boat so I really don't know. He showed me where that locking bolt is. It has already been broken and re-glassed in, he said from raising the keel without loosening it. It sounds like no mater what I need to pull it. Let me explain the squishing sound a little better. If I'm looking in the step hatch at the volcano, I can push on the hull just about everywhere I can reach and move the hull in and out maybe 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch. When I’m doing this it makes a squishing sound like I'm forcing water out between 2 pieces. I can also do this same thing pushing on the hull in the middle hatch where the locking bolt is. I'm not a fiberglass guy, I've always had steel and aluminum houseboats so if I could have ever moved my hull by hand, I'm looking for a life jacket. I really hate to spend more money to pull it only to find out it's going to cost thousands to fix it and be out half the summer. I'd rather bust the guys lip that sold it to me and sail it till it sinks. Sorry for the long winded message and thanks for everyone’s input!!!
Is it the keel skirt or gaskit?
water pumps up the keel trunk when sailing. They used to put a vinal gaskit around the keel to slow the rate of water pumping up the keel trunk. I am not sure if Catalina had one or some other method. All centerboat boats leak. Many keel boats leak too!
water pumps up the keel trunk when sailing. They used to put a vinal gaskit around the keel to slow the rate of water pumping up the keel trunk. I am not sure if Catalina had one or some other method. All centerboat boats leak. Many keel boats leak too!
Drifter
Drifter, You are lucky to live around some of the best C22 guys in the business, I don't remember which marina they go too but ask around they are there. Dennis Slaton knows the boats as good as anyone period! He is in the business of rebuilding them. There are four 1/4"X 12" X 6-7' stiffeners in the hull of the early boats, Sounds like water has gotten to yours. They can be repaired, some folks have cut holes in the thin glass over the plywood then poured acetone in to drive out the water, they then used epoxy for the the repair. For what its worth your boat isn't going to sink. I will include a link that you can clearly see where the plywood was, there is a piece on each side of the keel trunk and two one on each side in the aft about where the boat bunks would rest. If you look at J M Kiel's swing to keel conversion you can plainly see where they were. If you fix the bedding on the bottom gudgeon you will most likely fix your leak. All swing keel boats do NOT leak!
Drifter, You are lucky to live around some of the best C22 guys in the business, I don't remember which marina they go too but ask around they are there. Dennis Slaton knows the boats as good as anyone period! He is in the business of rebuilding them. There are four 1/4"X 12" X 6-7' stiffeners in the hull of the early boats, Sounds like water has gotten to yours. They can be repaired, some folks have cut holes in the thin glass over the plywood then poured acetone in to drive out the water, they then used epoxy for the the repair. For what its worth your boat isn't going to sink. I will include a link that you can clearly see where the plywood was, there is a piece on each side of the keel trunk and two one on each side in the aft about where the boat bunks would rest. If you look at J M Kiel's swing to keel conversion you can plainly see where they were. If you fix the bedding on the bottom gudgeon you will most likely fix your leak. All swing keel boats do NOT leak!
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