Leaking Back Locker

[Ed Upton]

Went to my boat today to check on it and found my aft locker was again full of water. By the way, the boat is dry docked for the winter. I also checked the bilge expecting to find that it was dry but boy was I in for a surprise. I am glad that I checked down there. The entire bilge was full of water on both sides. There was also water in the area in front of the steps. I got there just in time as any more water would have caused serious damage. Can anyone explain where all this water is coming from? I am totally at a loss. The water must be coming in from the back and then flowed into the bilge. Any help would be appreciated at locating this leak.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Inexplicable

The only water I've had in the aft locker is minor dripping when the outside shower line froze and broke. But nothing like what you're talking about.

 

[Andy]

Snow?

Did it snow in Annapolis? Sometimes a blowing snow will get in where a hard rain won't-especially around the companion way. Do you have a canvas cover on the companion way?Is it to much for condensation?Could you have had some fresh water in your tank and it has leaked out?Please let us know when you find out.

 

[Ed Upton]

Response To Andy

Andy:This is definitely rain water but it has never been this bad. We have a problem with the back locker getting filled up with water when the boat is in the water too but it is not as much because we have a lot of canvas on the boat and the water flows off the bimini and not all of it goes in the locker. We just pump it out every week. Apparently a lot of people have this same problem and it looks like we will have to probably re-caulk the swim ladder. We also had water get in around the companionway this time and that never happens. We have all the canvas taken off now for the winter. By the way, we are not located in Annapolis but at the NAS - Pax River near Solomons. Annapolis is our hailing port for USCG purposes.

 

[Tim McCarty]

Ed, check the archives...

I also have a 29.5, and, have had similar problems with the aft locker. I did check my swim latter fittings and found them very loose...I've tightened them for the winter, and, in the spring, I plan on re-bedding the swim latter. This is a common problem with the 29.5. I'm constantly going down to the boat to check for ice. Last weekend, I must have pumped about 10 gallons of water out of the aft locker. Check the archives though...lots of common info. re: this problem. Good luck...Tim