Hi,
I've had my 1977 Lancer 30 since September. Before I ran its motor, there was very little in the way of seepage into the bilge. The deck was designed without any real channel for drainage from rainwater or heavy dew, and water would accumulate on the aft section of the deck. The deck has an anodized aluminum tow rail which would allow any serious water to drain. But over the years, there has been enough sitting water to penetrate. I have removed stanchion posts and sealed them, and think the integrity of the deck is fine--no soft spots, but suspect the toe rails need to be removed, the deck edge sealed, and then replaced. There are additional small leaks along the two handrails above the cabin, as well as both hatches to the deck. These are all minor leaks. I sealed a bunch of minor leaks along the eight cabin windows, which are now water tight. It's an old boat--no complaints about some work.
What I need help with is the water that accumulates when I motor the boat. At first, I would motor out of the harbor for about 15 -20 minutes, raise the sails and sail for a few hours, and then return to harbor, drop the sails and motor back for another 15-20 minutes. The boat would accumulate 10-12 ounces of water, which I would wet vac out and measure before I dumped it. The water has no oil residue.
I sail out of Marina Del Rey, and this November, our Santa Ana winds have started. For everyone who is outside of Southern California, our prevailing winds for 10 months of the year come from the Pacific Ocean, and for two months from the desert. The Santa Ana winds usually calm down in the day and are very gusty at night. Daytime winds are very unpredictable in direction and speed. I try to take my boat out 2 or 3 times a week, so lack of wind just means we run the diesel when the wind stops. (The diesel is an original one-cylinder Yanmar 12 hp that has had a recent over-hall with all major gaskets replaced)
At first the diesel was extremely loud, and I was told by the mechanic that it would run a lot better as we ran it more and more. I thought this was pre-sale bull (the previous owner had the diesel mechanic who performed the over-hall at the boat when I made the purchase). But he was telling the truth. During the Santa Ana winds, there wind stopped a couple of times and we motored for 2-3 hours at a time on 4 occasions. The motor is much quieter and also runs much smoother.
Here is the reason for the post. Now the bilge accumulated more like a quart or more after motoring, but also now leaks overnight. It is leaking about 15-18 ounces per 24 hour period. The only other thing that changed during this period where the leaking increased, is that I replaced both batteries. I was concerned that maybe I kicked one of the thru-hulls, which could be leaking. I am not a very good mechanic, and the bilge is very tight. So I inspected what I could, and the only dampness is under where the drive shaft exits the hull. I have attached pics of the bilge. Being a newbie, I don't know what I am looking at.
How do the thru-hulls look? To a novice, they look unbelievable corroded and green.
I am planning on repainting the bottom in a few months and addressing any thru hulls that need replacement. I also want to perform and needed rudder maintenance. There are no manuals for my boat and Lancer went out of business about 30 years ago, so any guidance would be much appreciated. What is a normal amount for the packing gland to leak and what should I do?
I've had my 1977 Lancer 30 since September. Before I ran its motor, there was very little in the way of seepage into the bilge. The deck was designed without any real channel for drainage from rainwater or heavy dew, and water would accumulate on the aft section of the deck. The deck has an anodized aluminum tow rail which would allow any serious water to drain. But over the years, there has been enough sitting water to penetrate. I have removed stanchion posts and sealed them, and think the integrity of the deck is fine--no soft spots, but suspect the toe rails need to be removed, the deck edge sealed, and then replaced. There are additional small leaks along the two handrails above the cabin, as well as both hatches to the deck. These are all minor leaks. I sealed a bunch of minor leaks along the eight cabin windows, which are now water tight. It's an old boat--no complaints about some work.
What I need help with is the water that accumulates when I motor the boat. At first, I would motor out of the harbor for about 15 -20 minutes, raise the sails and sail for a few hours, and then return to harbor, drop the sails and motor back for another 15-20 minutes. The boat would accumulate 10-12 ounces of water, which I would wet vac out and measure before I dumped it. The water has no oil residue.
I sail out of Marina Del Rey, and this November, our Santa Ana winds have started. For everyone who is outside of Southern California, our prevailing winds for 10 months of the year come from the Pacific Ocean, and for two months from the desert. The Santa Ana winds usually calm down in the day and are very gusty at night. Daytime winds are very unpredictable in direction and speed. I try to take my boat out 2 or 3 times a week, so lack of wind just means we run the diesel when the wind stops. (The diesel is an original one-cylinder Yanmar 12 hp that has had a recent over-hall with all major gaskets replaced)
At first the diesel was extremely loud, and I was told by the mechanic that it would run a lot better as we ran it more and more. I thought this was pre-sale bull (the previous owner had the diesel mechanic who performed the over-hall at the boat when I made the purchase). But he was telling the truth. During the Santa Ana winds, there wind stopped a couple of times and we motored for 2-3 hours at a time on 4 occasions. The motor is much quieter and also runs much smoother.
Here is the reason for the post. Now the bilge accumulated more like a quart or more after motoring, but also now leaks overnight. It is leaking about 15-18 ounces per 24 hour period. The only other thing that changed during this period where the leaking increased, is that I replaced both batteries. I was concerned that maybe I kicked one of the thru-hulls, which could be leaking. I am not a very good mechanic, and the bilge is very tight. So I inspected what I could, and the only dampness is under where the drive shaft exits the hull. I have attached pics of the bilge. Being a newbie, I don't know what I am looking at.
How do the thru-hulls look? To a novice, they look unbelievable corroded and green.
I am planning on repainting the bottom in a few months and addressing any thru hulls that need replacement. I also want to perform and needed rudder maintenance. There are no manuals for my boat and Lancer went out of business about 30 years ago, so any guidance would be much appreciated. What is a normal amount for the packing gland to leak and what should I do?
