Mystery Leak

[George Selkinghaus]

I have a leak coming from behind the bilge area on my Catalina 27. The packing gland is not visually leaking nor any of the through hulls. I have checked the keel bolts and they are not the source. The water is entering the bilge from the rear of the boat.It sends 2 inches of water into the bilge every 24 hours. The boat is now out of the water and there is nothing visible on the outside. Does anyone have any ideas ?

 

[Don]

More info req.

What year boat, engine model, steering (wheel or tiller)? Could be any number of things, but without more information, it would be a shot in the dark. That is a lot of water. Since you mentioned packing gland, it must be an inboard. I would check the engine exhause hose. Next would be cockpit drains. If wheel steering, then check the rudder stuffing box.

 

[Steve Dion]

Strut bolts.

Go with Don's lead on this. If you have wheel steering you may have a leak on rudder shaft. I do not know how a Catalina is constructed so I can't be of much help there. But, I would also check the strut for the shaft. There are about 4 bolts that are thru the hull, while the boat is out of the water, this is an easy fix. You would need to pull the shaft to do it properly. Then R/R the strut with high quality caulk. Remember don't use 5200 for this either (use Life Caulk or any other product that is recommended for underwater use). If it ever leaks again you need to be able to take it off.

 

[Clarity]

Cock pit drains

The source of the problem could be the hoses for the cock pit drains. This would indeed cause a leak if not replaced since the boat was built. Hoses rot over time.