Leak in Port side of bilge!

[Gene Kinney]

Finally rewired my new bilge pump with built in float switch so that the automatic line is tied to the battery directly bypassing the DC Main. The DC Main is the manual switch now. In the process I found a leak in the bilge.  It's coming through an indentation in the fiberglass on the port side near the front of the bilge. Where is this water coming from? Gene KinneyS/V Kin-Ship

 

[alan fair]

bilge leak

Gene, Hello again.Just saw your article on the bilge leak.At the front,I assume, means toward the v-berth. If so, have you checked the water tank under the v-berth. I believe it flows to the bilge if a leak occurs in the tank.Also, is it just clear water that's leaking in? Alan

 

[Gene Kinney]

Clear Water

Hi Alan, Yes it's clear water. And it tastes salty. But then bilge water would. I pulled up the floor board in the vee berth. It was dry. I know I have a leak in my stuffing box when the engine is running. The bilge under the engine is always full. IS there a limber hole from there to the bilge? Or is there a possibility that it goes somewhere else?I'm glad a finally have an ouotmatic bilge pump that actually automatic with the DC main switch and batteries in the off position.Gene

 

[John]

indentation

Dont recal an indentation on my 40. I did once have a fresh water line leak which managed to find its way slowly to the bilge. As you may have noticed it is possible to have a thru hull leak which does not go directly into the bilge but between the hull and liner. Check all your thru hulls. My forward A/C drins condensation into the port side between the liner and hull and eventually makes its way to the bilge. Usually when under power the water between the hulls will move to the bilge. And NO the bilge under the engine should not drain into the bilge. It is seperate to prevent oils and fuels from being pumped overboard. You might want to check the packing in your stuffing box.