Pump Leak?

[Jibs]

Hey all you fellow Hunter owners,
I'm new to the boat (boyfriend's, 2006 36' Hunter), love the layout and the ease of sailing. On that note, I am alone aboard the boat at the moment and trying my best to figure out the system. As of late it seems we have a fresh water leak. The bilge runs roughly twice a day - if I don't manually bilge it out - over the last two days. The water is fresh, and I've checked everything under the galley sink, all connections are dry. The water is definitely running from the starboard side, from galley back, based on the water trails. I just can't source it! Any ideas? There is some sign of leakage around the hot water tank, but nothing new...
Thanks for the help, sorry to delve right in!

 

[Panamax]

Where is the boat located? Has it been cold? Almost sounds like your hot water tank froze.

 

[seadaddler]

Tank

OK I have 2007 H-36 and guess you are thinking the hot water heater
under the bed is leaking,I would say the hard part is finding what or where is it leaking by checking all connections and cleaning all around it and putting down some thing that will help show the leak like newspaper or paper towel or anything you think will show the leak.
If the bilge needing to be emptied than the pump must be going on at some point and at the water tank leaking it will go into the bilge and while you are at it you may want to check the screens that are in the hot water heater connections,I just had a restriction at all hot water faucets like the shower head
and had to just clean gunk on the screens was easy to clean.

Nick

 

[Jibs]

Where is the boat located? Has it been cold? Almost sounds like your hot water tank froze.

We are actually in the Bahamas right now. The weather HAS been unseasonable, but not cold.

 

[Calif. Ted]

There is some sign of leakage around the hot water tank, but nothing new...

Most common leak at the WH is from the pressure relief valve, they sometimes get fouled and don't reseat completely.
I recently replaced a 12 yo WH that had a leak from the bottom of the tank, if you remove the cover rust stains will reveal most tank leaks.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I have heard that sprinkling talcum powder around suspected leak sources will show if the leak is present. I haven't tried that technique, but it sounds promising.

 

[John T1594]

Water pump?

If the source of the fresh water leak is coming from your domestic water supply I would expect that the water pressure pump should be cycling on and off during the day. As I just wrote that I realized that you may have shore water being piped directly aboard and if that is the case - follow the advice in the previous posts to find the leak.

 

[dingessj]

talc powder

I have heard that sprinkling talcum powder around suspected leak sources will show if the leak is present. I haven't tried that technique, but it sounds promising.

I have used foot spray power on cars to prove leaks. It will stay where put.
Most boats could use the fragrance anyway.
Jimmy

 

[Jibs]

Thank you!

Thank you all for your replies. The pump has been cycling, and we are not on shore water, I just never give it a chance to cycle enough for the water to start running. I'm a stickler for turning off anything on the panel that isn't in use.
It seems there are actually two sources, we drilled in to the arch for our solar wiring, and it seems the rain is draining through there in small amounts. Time for caulk!
But there is definitely something going on with the water heater. Will check the filters too, thank you!
Thanks so much for your help!