I've got this sinking feeling that I've got problems

[toddco]

Hi All,
I finally got my 1975 ODay 20 off the trailer. I still have a lot more work to do, but I couldn't stand it any longer. I went to the car wash and blew off the deck then grabbed some life jackets and went over to a close lake for a few hours. After about 45 min, the bilges started pumping, I had some soapy water in the bilge, that I first attibuted to the car wash. The cockpit drains into the bilge and the pumps take it out from there. The bilge pump never really quit. I could hear the pumps sucking air, but not going dry. I had the first mate work the float switch to the pump and they would stop for a little while.

There are three through hulls. The bilge outlet, the sink drain and lastly the line for dropping the swing keel. The sink drain is plugged off, and I don't think thats it. That leave one of two possibilities. Water is either working back through the bilge pumps, or there is a leak in the stand pipe from the swing keel. I don't know if bilge pumps can leak back, but the alternative soulds much worse.

I am not looking forward to pulling up the cabin floor just yet so my plan is to disconnect the bilge pumps and while on the hard, put water into the bilge. I am hoping to isolate the problem by crawling under the trailer and look for a drip. I just don't know if the leak will be that evident. The water preassure will be much less. If that doesn't work, plan B would be to use a bore scope in the bilge and back the boat into the water at the ramp.

Has anyone out there had a similar problem?

 

[toddco]

Ok worst case confirmed. I filled the bilge in the driveway and found a slow drip coming off the swing keel. The front pivot bracket looks accessible enough from the bottom, the through hole for the keel line, not so much. Should there be a through hull fitting for this into the keel well or is there a fiberglassed stand pipe underneath all this?

 

[Merlin Clark]

Toddco,
Kudos on finding your problem. Sorry I can't answer your Oday specific question but I will offer this: bilge discharge thru hulls should above the water line and have a loop in the hose to prevent water coming in when the boat is heeled.
I like your approach, fix what needs it to sail and use the boat while you fix/update the things that can wait.
I think that approach helps the owners figure out things that will work better for them.

 

[toddco]

Ok further info. I took up the cabin floor. Water is not leaking through the drop line to the swing keel. Instead it is leaking deeper in the keel well. The hinge pins that the swing keel pivot from are held in place with two brass plates on the fixed keel. These plates are held to the keel with two stainless screws each. The screws were loose, water was dripping from the screws.
My new plan is to get a can of air ( the kind you use to clean your computer) and look for bubbles in the cabin keel well. If that works, I'm thinking of injecting spray foam in the holes and then put the plates back in place. Rinse and repeat.
Does this sound resonable?

 

[toddco]

Can of air was useless. Air compressor makes bubbles. I'll let it dry and then see what I can seal.

 

[RichBone]

Sounds like you need to remove the plates and drop the centerboard and check inside the bilge to see where the water getting into the keel.

 

[toddco]

The water was coming out of all of the bolt holes once the plates were removed. Blowing air back through the holes made a nice stream of bubbles in the bilge directly above the holes. I'm going to let it dry out over night and then try and seal it tomorrow.

 

[LordNelson]

i don't think using spray foam would be a proper marine sealant. i would think it would be better to use something like a 3m adhesive chalk but would check with a marina to be sure.

 

[emergpa1]

i don't think using spray foam would be a proper marine sealant. i would think it would be better to use something like a 3m adhesive chalk but would check with a marina to be sure.

Agree

 

[drumbeater]

I agree with Nelson. Get a proper below the waterline sealant, don't use spray foam. That will just absorb or displace the water, not stop it from getting in.

 

[toddco]

Thanks for the response on the spray foam. I have marine sealant, but didn't know if I would be better off with something expandable.

 

[toddco]

I filled the holes with 3M 5200 marine sealant and kept applying air behind it until I could see a couple of white spots in the bilge. I've glued the hair on my forearms in a few places and I might have some on the back of my head, but I'm letting everything cure. We'll see.

 

[Herco Dunlop]

Great effort to save your Oday. I hope it works out.