mysterious bilge water

[Bill Eskew]

I recently purchased an o-Day 39 and took a winter trip to the Bahamas with her. She will collect about 1/2 gallon of salt water every 4-5 days in her shallow bilges. I am unable to find the source. Anyone out there seen similiar problems? give me a call billeskew@yahoo.com. thanks

 

[Ben Bishop]

Stuffin Box

Without more info, I would check the stuffing box first.

 

[bill eskew]

stuffing box

Dear Ken, Thanks for the reply. The stuffing box empties into it's own bilge, and has not been a problem. Bill

 

[Wayne Rigby]

bilge water

I had a stubborn problem with a gallon of water per day in the bilge. Finally traced it to a strainer on a seawater inlet that was dripping one drop every 10 seconds or so. I can imagine your leak will be even harder to find. Suggest drying the bilge completely using a hair drying and carefully checking to see where the leak is coming from. I did this because I was afraid it was a keel bolt. Tightening the top on the filter stopped the drip and the problem, now I have a dry bilge except for a cup of water that comes down the mast when it rains hard. Good luck.

 

[Neil Scoltock]

Mystery h20

Check your above h20 thru hulls that can become submerged when motoring or sailing, these are usually plastic (marelon) and are suseptable to damage. My propane locker thru hull vent had a slight crack, probally from crawling back there to grease my rudder.I was getting similar amount of water every couple days.Tape a paper towel or use chalk on any suspect spot, go sailing and check after to see if wet.Good luck!