Mystery Leak

[RAY]

I have mystery leak in my c27. I have checked the prop stuffing box (newly repacked with GFO) it appears to be dry. Where else should I look? Will rudder stuffing box create this leak? (bilge pump runs every 1/2 hr for about 10sec). Is rudder box adjustable & how do you access it? I am nervous about the leak since my boat is on a mooring. Any ideas of possible sources for the leak would be appreciated.Ray

 

[Dave Wilder]

Yes, the rudder has a stuffing box. I discovered this after a haul out where I put a dripless packing on the shaft. When I got underway I found that the shaft packing worked fine but I had lots of water pouring in through the rudder, which I had not checked. Not a big thing to take care of assuming you have packing left in it. Just tighten the two (as I remember) bolts through the plate on top of the post. As I remember, it wasn't much of a leak problem with no way on, so you could probably add more packing if need be without braving the fear factor for too long.Good Luck!

 

[Steve]

A Leak to Remember

Had the same problem with my 1981 Catalina 27 with outboard. Some of the water was coming down the mast, but unfortunately I found it was leaking through a keel bolt. First I cleaned out the joint between the keel and the keel stub using a router, dremel tool and carpet knife. Squirted 5200 into the seam, then faired the sean with epoxy. However, this didn't seem to work. So, next season, I used a dremel tool to clean out around the bolt and then poured a small amount of penetrating epoxy into the void around the bolt. Then filled the rest of the void with 5200, replaced the Stainless steel washer, and torqued the bolt down to spec. Seems to be holding so far.Good luck

 

[steve]

Cockpit drain hoses

I had a mystery leak on my 1986 C27. The port cockpit drain hose was rotted through. The starboard was close. The bilge and floor were filled/covered with water. I replaced both drain hoses and not another drop of water in the bilge (boat was on the cradle then).  You can check out the two hoses under the stern cockpit locker. I have a small piece of wood on the floor of the locker. Just reach down there and feel the length of the hose underneth for water/holes. Goodluck Steve s/v Barefoot

 

[CJ]

cockpit drain hose

As Steve said, the cockpit drain hoses can (and mine did) rot through. I spent hours searching for a leak topsides that would fill the bilge after heavy rains over the winter storage. Then when I was hosing her down 20 minutes after launching I saw water being pumped out the bilge. I thought "packing gland is leaking BAD", opened the engine compartment and saw water fairly pouring through the cockpit drain hose from my hose-down. As long as I was not heeled over or under full steam, or it wasn't raining, I was ok. Otherwise, water would run right in.Switching the hoses was...not too much fun. Starboard was easy, port had to go under and around the exhaust hose (and these hoses do not bend), which left a low spot for water to collect - hense the rotting.I plan on using a 90 degree elbow to make this setup easier to work. has anyone else done this?I now know to check these (almost unaccessible) hoses every season to make sure things are ok. Rain is one thing, getting a wave over the back would be a BAD THING with perforated drain hose!

 

[Don]

Leak. For CJ

I changed mine out on my 86. Note: earlier models have different type drains. Either factory or PO had a 45 degree elbow (1-5/8 in)coming thru the hull, with black exhaust hose (1-5/8 in) going to 1-1/2in fitting on the cockpit floor. I changed the hose barb on the elbow to 1-1/2 in and used white sanitation hose. Easier to bend and work with and no low spot. To clear the steering cable, I twisted the hose, then clamped it. It is not easy to access the bottom end of the hose. That is why I only wanted to fix it once and hopefully, never again.