I get intermittent water in my bilge. After being dry one or two weeks, it will suddenly get water in the bilge, not up to the boards, but more much than I would expect from condensation. It is under shrink wrap for the winter, not getting any snow or rainwater on the deck. The keels bolts are not leaking and the water tank is empty for the winter. I would greatly appreciate any ideas on the source of the water? Thank you.
intermittent bilge water
- Thread starter beneteau331 2000
- Start date
- Status
Fresh or salt?
Dip a finger and see. Obviously if its salt you have a problem. If its fresh, must either be run-off somehow getting in, or an undrained hose. Hope for fresh.
Dip a finger and see. Obviously if its salt you have a problem. If its fresh, must either be run-off somehow getting in, or an undrained hose. Hope for fresh.
salt water?
David, How does one get salty water in the bilge when the boat is on the hard? Leaching out from something? Do they wrap boat in Annapolis but keep the boat in the water? I've never been there so I won't know.
David, How does one get salty water in the bilge when the boat is on the hard? Leaching out from something? Do they wrap boat in Annapolis but keep the boat in the water? I've never been there so I won't know.
Rain Water?
It could be from the rain that is somehow getting past the step of the mast and down the compression post. Check the base of the compression post at the bilge. It is possible that the water is traveling down inside it.
It could be from the rain that is somehow getting past the step of the mast and down the compression post. Check the base of the compression post at the bilge. It is possible that the water is traveling down inside it.
Heater
We live aboard here in southern California so we don't have a need to winterize but...we too had water in the bilge of our Hunter 44 since we purchased it new in 2004. After a week of searching we found out it was the hot water heater. Have you checked that?
We live aboard here in southern California so we don't have a need to winterize but...we too had water in the bilge of our Hunter 44 since we purchased it new in 2004. After a week of searching we found out it was the hot water heater. Have you checked that?
Benet, If you can get into the boat
I will bet that rain water can. Find a willing helper, one of you gets on the boat and one stays on the ground with a water hose with a spray nozzle. After a little artificial rain you should be able to fine the leaks.
I will bet that rain water can. Find a willing helper, one of you gets on the boat and one stays on the ground with a water hose with a spray nozzle. After a little artificial rain you should be able to fine the leaks.
check your deck drain hoses
I had a similar problem and discovered i had a crack in one of my drain hoses. easy fix.
I had a similar problem and discovered i had a crack in one of my drain hoses. easy fix.
Like Ross said, but start from the rub rail
Underside the rub rail first and then the top of the rubrail second, then the hardware, then the ports, then the handrails then the tabernacle. Strat from the bottom and work up, a small section at a time. If you start at the top, you have no idea what is leaking. you can actually pin point it better if you use a hose with no nozzle and direct water at each given point. The willing helper that understands what you are trying to do! I would have the helper direct the water while I looked for the leak. r.w.landau
Underside the rub rail first and then the top of the rubrail second, then the hardware, then the ports, then the handrails then the tabernacle. Strat from the bottom and work up, a small section at a time. If you start at the top, you have no idea what is leaking. you can actually pin point it better if you use a hose with no nozzle and direct water at each given point. The willing helper that understands what you are trying to do! I would have the helper direct the water while I looked for the leak. r.w.landau
Good ideas
The boat is in the water and the bay in Annapolis is not very salty. But thanks for all of the ideas. I will put them to good use.
The boat is in the water and the bay in Annapolis is not very salty. But thanks for all of the ideas. I will put them to good use.
I agree with all the previous posts
and think that they deserve the bulk of your attention. To be clear then, your boat is in the water AND is shrink wrapped? Do you have an velcro entry door through the plastic? And air vents or slits in the plastic for ventilation? Is your mast still up with stays poking through the shrink wrap tent? Have you always shrink wrapped your boats while keeping them in the water? I assume that a Beneteau 33 has some nice cowl vents too. We shrink wrapped our boat up on the hard our first winter season and I really disliked the amount of condensation this caused inside the cabin and on deck. I think that shrink wrapping can really hold the moisture inside a boat instead of keeping it out of it. I also think it is a waste of materials and money not to mention time. Try the leak testing system that Ross and Landau mentioned on the shrink wrap and see if that does not produce a constant drip on deck from somewhere. Once inside the "tent" it will eventually find its way inside (think of osmotic blistering; water always tries to seek equilibrium, even in the air). We have done the tarps and electrical conduit system for winter haulouts since our first shrink wrapping and been quite happy with the results. It cost less than one seasons shrink wrapping and is reusable and there is plenty of ventilation to let the humidity in, AND out. My 2 cents (and I remember the thread on "Shrink wrap vs. not").
and think that they deserve the bulk of your attention. To be clear then, your boat is in the water AND is shrink wrapped? Do you have an velcro entry door through the plastic? And air vents or slits in the plastic for ventilation? Is your mast still up with stays poking through the shrink wrap tent? Have you always shrink wrapped your boats while keeping them in the water? I assume that a Beneteau 33 has some nice cowl vents too. We shrink wrapped our boat up on the hard our first winter season and I really disliked the amount of condensation this caused inside the cabin and on deck. I think that shrink wrapping can really hold the moisture inside a boat instead of keeping it out of it. I also think it is a waste of materials and money not to mention time. Try the leak testing system that Ross and Landau mentioned on the shrink wrap and see if that does not produce a constant drip on deck from somewhere. Once inside the "tent" it will eventually find its way inside (think of osmotic blistering; water always tries to seek equilibrium, even in the air). We have done the tarps and electrical conduit system for winter haulouts since our first shrink wrapping and been quite happy with the results. It cost less than one seasons shrink wrapping and is reusable and there is plenty of ventilation to let the humidity in, AND out. My 2 cents (and I remember the thread on "Shrink wrap vs. not").
- Status