Salt water in bilge

[kjmessner]

I've had my C34 a few years now, and I seem to constantly have salt water in the bilge. If I suck it all out with a shop vac, I can leave the boat sit forever without any water accumulation, but once I get underway, I build up about 1-2 inches of water in the bilge. The bilge pump does not run very often, so its not a very fast accumulation. Can't see any leaks from the thru-hulls or anywhere on engine. I have a dripless shaft seal, so it isn't coming from there. Any suggestions?

 

[droopy]

Lots of places

bathroom sink? frg? does it come in under sail or power? When you sail do you shut your seacocks?

 

[Don]

Leak

Look for things that are normally above water line when not moving, but are below water line when under way. Rudder shaft stuffing box and cockpit drains are the most likely.

 

[Ken]

Bilge Leaks

Are all your vented loops in good shape? Is an anti siphon valve stuck open (shower drain)? How about the bilge pump drain, does it have a loop? Does it have a hole in it? Since it only happens underway, something that is above the water line at rest is going below the water line when in motion.

 

[Stu Jackson]

If it's saltwater

it may be the rudder packing gland.See http://www.c34.org/faq-pages/techdata-rudder-packing-gland.html from the C34 website. Please join us there, anytime.

 

[William Welsch]

We own a 350 and recently had a lot of sea water in the bilge from a faulty exhaust elbow. Changed the elbow, problem went away.

 

[kjmessner]

Thanks for all the responses!

Thanks everyone for the input! I'll check out all your ideas.