With all the rain we've been having here recently, I am getting a lot of water in my bilge. My boat (C36, MK II) has a keel stepped mast with in-mast roller furling. The water seems to be coming down the inside of the mast. This makes me think it's not from where the mast passes through the deck. Is this rainwater coming down the mast normal - especially for in-mast furling masts? Is there anything I can or should do about it? (I get to the boat several times a week to fiddle around and just to check on it.)
keel stepped mast & water in bilge
- Thread starter John
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check the C 36 IA website at the attached link. I tend to get some water in my bilge from water that comes down the mast (not a boot leak).
check the C 36 IA website at the attached link. I tend to get some water in my bilge from water that comes down the mast (not a boot leak).
water in the bilge
HI, John The answer is yes water comes in from the openings on the top of the mast. In here in maine we take the mast down every season and stack them on a aframe and shrinkwrap and seal up any openings on top. I have some water in my bilge all the time always not enough to make the pump to go on. Fred
HI, John The answer is yes water comes in from the openings on the top of the mast. In here in maine we take the mast down every season and stack them on a aframe and shrinkwrap and seal up any openings on top. I have some water in my bilge all the time always not enough to make the pump to go on. Fred
I am sure...
you have checked to see if it was rain or salt water. I think you are going to have to be on board during one of these heavy rain events. Water could be coming in ANYWHERE. Bring a good book and a flashlight. I have a Seldon after-market furler on my main... so the set up is different. Happy Hunting, Rich
you have checked to see if it was rain or salt water. I think you are going to have to be on board during one of these heavy rain events. Water could be coming in ANYWHERE. Bring a good book and a flashlight. I have a Seldon after-market furler on my main... so the set up is different. Happy Hunting, Rich
rainwater
yes, it's rainwater. I've done the "taste test" plus also I can see a wet spot at the base of the mast and, when it's raining heavily I can see the water coming in. It seems to me that water would inevitably enter through the opening in the mast for the furling main. Is this true?
yes, it's rainwater. I've done the "taste test" plus also I can see a wet spot at the base of the mast and, when it's raining heavily I can see the water coming in. It seems to me that water would inevitably enter through the opening in the mast for the furling main. Is this true?
Not just
This is not just a problem with the Catalina, nor with roller furling mains. I have this same problem with a S37. No roller furling on the main, but a keel stepped mast. There was another post on this same subject not long ago, but no definite answers. If anyone has a good fix for this, would sure like to hear it. Some seem to think it is from where the halyards exit the mast, others think from the top. But no one has a positive answer or positive fix.
This is not just a problem with the Catalina, nor with roller furling mains. I have this same problem with a S37. No roller furling on the main, but a keel stepped mast. There was another post on this same subject not long ago, but no definite answers. If anyone has a good fix for this, would sure like to hear it. Some seem to think it is from where the halyards exit the mast, others think from the top. But no one has a positive answer or positive fix.
Applying some logic to this problem. If the water was entering the mast at the t
the quantity would be limited to the total amount of rain in inches and the size of the hole at the top. If the water is entering through the halyard exit holes it will be limited by the quantity of rain that strikes the mast and runsdown and into the hole, most will run off. if the rain is from astern then all of the rain that hits the slot will find its way to the bottom. If the water is coming in around the mast then all of the water that hits the mast will come in. Is there a way to drain the slot above the deck? Is there a way to install a hood above the halyard exit ports? Is there a way to install a rain cap on the mast head? Has the actual volume of water been determined? This week in Maryland we got about three inches of rain. If the hole was one inch in diameter we would get about an ounce and a half of water inside. But if we had a big funnel then the quantity would be much larger. Look for the obvious. There is an adage: when you hear hoof beats look for horses not zebras.
the quantity would be limited to the total amount of rain in inches and the size of the hole at the top. If the water is entering through the halyard exit holes it will be limited by the quantity of rain that strikes the mast and runsdown and into the hole, most will run off. if the rain is from astern then all of the rain that hits the slot will find its way to the bottom. If the water is coming in around the mast then all of the water that hits the mast will come in. Is there a way to drain the slot above the deck? Is there a way to install a hood above the halyard exit ports? Is there a way to install a rain cap on the mast head? Has the actual volume of water been determined? This week in Maryland we got about three inches of rain. If the hole was one inch in diameter we would get about an ounce and a half of water inside. But if we had a big funnel then the quantity would be much larger. Look for the obvious. There is an adage: when you hear hoof beats look for horses not zebras.
Plug the mast?
Where is the wiring in the mast? My keel-stepped Kenyon mast has a separate track for the wiring. Below all the halyard exits I could plug the mast and install a small drain hole. Then the only water would be what comes down the sail track and the wiring track. If your wiring is loose in the mast then this is obviously not an option. I have always had rain water in the bilge and never worried too much about it. Only enough to have a small pump with a short hose to the shower sump. This keeps the level much lower than with the regular big pump.
Where is the wiring in the mast? My keel-stepped Kenyon mast has a separate track for the wiring. Below all the halyard exits I could plug the mast and install a small drain hole. Then the only water would be what comes down the sail track and the wiring track. If your wiring is loose in the mast then this is obviously not an option. I have always had rain water in the bilge and never worried too much about it. Only enough to have a small pump with a short hose to the shower sump. This keeps the level much lower than with the regular big pump.
Ross, you're very close
John's boat faces north, so his exposed mast section faces south, which is where our bad weather and winds come from! Astute observation
John's boat faces north, so his exposed mast section faces south, which is where our bad weather and winds come from! Astute observation
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