Leaking

[keithT]

New owner of catalina 27 1980 -
I opened the bilge over the keel and it was dry. I removed the ladder to the cockpit, and opened the door which leads to the area under the cockpit above the hull and voila . Two inches of water (maybe about a gallon). I used the bilge pump to empty it dried it off and found a very small trickle coming in one or two small pin ***** holes. About one thimble full every two hours so. This must have occurred over time. The odd thing was I did inspect the area when I bought the boat 4 months ago and it was dry so don't quite know what's going on here - the boat has been in the water for 2 years.

The route I was planning is to buy some waterproof epoxy filler and plug the two small holes which will keep it dry in cabin area. Then in the fall attack it from the bottom ... Perhaps hire a survey to inspect the hull with soundings and see if there are any hollow areas. I suspect the leak may permeate the hull eventually but nothing I can do at this point until fall. I will try and work the epoxy down as much as possible by force and perhaps might be able to solve the issue entirely with good luck. Maybe apply it into the hole with a syringe of some kind.

I did wash the exterior of the boat the day before so it could have been rinse water that found its way into that area as well. I will test that theory with a hose and see what happens.

I just had the bottom of the boat painted and keel had two blisters and crack which I had repaired (fibre glassed) I am surprised that with bottom coat it did not seal such a small hole. A survey that was done in 2012 was on lake okanagan and the hull passed the test so I know I am not looking at major issues here.

Any opinions - pointers - advice would be greatly appreciated. I am new to this and am just guessing proper route of repair. Many thanks for your time.

 

[caguy]

I'll be following this thread with keen interest. I have been trying to find the source of water in the bilge after a hard sail. If I bury the rail the bilge fills and leaks into the sole. I have sealed the rub rail all around and it seemed to slow. I also found water coming in from the bilge pump hose until I added a vented loop. That slowed it down some more. Then I found a small leak in the keel where the gel coat had separated from the keep. I filled last week with epoxy and applied a layer of barrier paint yesterday. If I am sailing under 15* there does not appear to be any intrusion of water. The curious thing is I find the water in tide side compartments as well and they are completely separated from the bilge. I also find water in the storage under the V-berth. Very frustrating.

 

[jrowan]

If you find water under the forward storage under the V birth then I would suspect leaks coming from the pulpit connections or station fittings, or perhaps a crack or leak in the anchor locker well basin.

 

[keithT]

tnx will check - my leak is coming from the hull in the stern under the cockpit in the storage area - small trickle which is getting smaller by the day as I continue to add more epoxy paste.

 

[keithT]

Thanks for comments. After a couple of heavy rains I soon discovered the leaks were from the threshold at the bottom of the cabin entry panel. The water ran from there and accumulated in the lip below the door and from there dribbled into the cubby hole underneath the port aft birth then from there entered a wire hole and into the central area directly underneath the cockpit. I note that the previous owner had done a rather sloppy silicone job so once I remove the old stuff I will reseal the cracks in the fibreglass that are quite large in that area. Thankfully it was not the hull, I am suspicious that the pin holes I was filling was not from beneath the boat but rather surplus water wedged into the inside-most layer of rough fibreglass.

 

[dive7mmwet]

the rub rail is over the deck hull joint and causes many leaks on older Cats, window leaks glazing and hull to trim seal are next, and life line stanchions bedding next, rear lazarette seat drain holes clog forcing water down steering gear all can be troubling to find and I have even sealed our boat and pressurized and bubble tested and missed a few areas!

 

[keithT]

not heeling

the rub rail is over the deck hull joint and causes many leaks on older Cats, window leaks glazing and hull to trim seal are next, and life line stanchions bedding next, rear lazarette seat drain holes clog forcing water down steering gear all can be troubling to find and I have even sealed our boat and pressurized and bubble tested and missed a few areas!

i have since found after a quick sail that the leaking continues - I did not heel the boat so rub rails were not soaked, I am starting to think that the rudder might be involved. Are there seals or bushings that prevent water from rudder assembly from entering the lazarette?

 

[dive7mmwet]

i have since found after a quick sail that the leaking continues - I did not heel the boat so rub rails were not soaked, I am starting to think that the rudder might be involved. Are there seals or bushings that prevent water from rudder assembly from entering the lazarette?

the rudder shaft is in a tube / log and for water to enter the stern would have to sit way low, you can see it sticking up half way in the rear compartment,

 

[keithT]

Rudder shaft found and in tact. I spotted the leak behind the rudder shaft where the motor mount is. So now it all makes sense - with motor wide open the transom drops about a foot and submerges the engine mount - There is a 8 inch square block of wood that holds the motor and as far as I can guess without removing the motor the hole is there behind the wood support.