Leak in V berth

[Jeffrey]

When I was cleaning the boat I found water, several inches, in the bilge under the V-Berth. How do people decide if it is fresh or salt? I didn't want to taste it to find out. Any ideas where it is coming from and how to stop it?

 

[Paul Akers]

Here's how

Fill a clear container with the water from the bilge. Then take fresh water and very slowly pour it into the bilge water in the container. If both are fresh, they will readily mix. If they are unlike, you'll see what almost looks like an oil & water mix (or a variation) of the two.

 

[Dave Condon]

leak

Sometime it is difficult to find that pesky leak. Ok, here we go.First pour red food coloring or cool aid down into the water tank. If you see reddish water, then the tank is leaking.Check the gasket under the washer that is beneath the wing nut and the drain bail plug to see if coming in. If not, look beneath the compression post by removing the plates at the base of the compression post and observe while sailing and/or motoring. To find out if the water is coming from topsides, close off everything well except for applying plastic over the main hatch way with a leaf blower taped around the plastic forcing air into the boat. Take a brush using soapy water and brush everthing topsides to see any airbubbling out of the boat which will tell you where the leak is topsides

 

[Jim Parks]

Leaky Anchor well hose

I have a 1987 23. Last year, I consistently found water under the Vee berth. The leak was traced to a defective drain hose for the anchor well that is located on the deck. Every time it rained, water would enter the bilge area under the Vee.I replaced the hose with a length of heater hose - fixed it.

 

[Dave Condon]

Jeff and Jim

I could not tell if you were speaking of the 23 wing keel or 23.5 water ballast boat. I reaponded to the water ballast but still closing up the boat helps. Also follow Jim,s advice as this could be a very possible source which I over looked to mention. Thank you JIm> We all learn from this forum.In fact, Jeff do mention if you have connected the motor to the rudder in any form. Happy sailing to the both of you.

 

[Cliff Ruckstuhl]

Check the bow eye

I had the same problem and found the bow eye was the problem. Just need to reseal it. You can check it when sailing sail across some power boat chop and have some one watch it with a flashlight.