After reading these threads about water in the bilge, here is my related question that perhaps someone can give me some ideas or direction to go. When I bought my 1973 C22 last spring, it was filled with water throughout the bilge and every compartment (previous owner left the companionway door off for a season as it sat in his yard on a trailer, incredible buy anyway). I pumped/sponged the water that I could see out, but it continued to weep out of the cracks (like gelcoat cracks, with some sections missing too) for a few weeks. I'm not sure why this surface is all cracked; I assume the boat's age and expansion/shrinkage over the years. Eventually I got everything dry after lowering the bow, then the stern, on the trailer, so it drained out of the lower sections I couldn't see. I want to seal this finishing layer again, whatever it is, so that if I have water inside again for some reason (like cleaning), I don't want to go through this same routine. I also worry what it could do to my hull, if the water soaked in long enough. Any thoughts? What is the layer made of that lines the bilge/compartment areas anyway? Thanks for the any input! Laurie C22 #2250- "Carpe Diem"
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Gelcoat cracks
Hi Laurie, Well if you have gelcoat cracks then something has caused it, and quite possibly the water being inside with the companion doorway open and hatch off in your part of the country could have caused that water to freeze inside the boat thus causing expansion, that the boat wasn't built to take.( pressure like that from the inside) and having it result in crcking the gelcoat on the interior and as the weather warmed up and the water began to thaw "it" meaning the water seaped or siphoned in behind the gelcoat and possibly began to delaminate the gelcoat from the fiberglass. It does happen. I am curious if you happen to have found any blistering of the gelcoat or surfaces inside the cabin? . If that indeed did happen then the bargain boat may not be that much of a bargain down the road unless you are prepared to deal with constant gelcoat and glass repair for a LONG time. Every time you feel you found and repaired the very last crack or blister a few months go by, and here we go again. A few more appear. It can be disheartning or you can look at it as on the job training. You will be an EXPERT at this by the time you are ready for your next boat.
Dave LaPere
Hi Laurie, Well if you have gelcoat cracks then something has caused it, and quite possibly the water being inside with the companion doorway open and hatch off in your part of the country could have caused that water to freeze inside the boat thus causing expansion, that the boat wasn't built to take.( pressure like that from the inside) and having it result in crcking the gelcoat on the interior and as the weather warmed up and the water began to thaw "it" meaning the water seaped or siphoned in behind the gelcoat and possibly began to delaminate the gelcoat from the fiberglass. It does happen. I am curious if you happen to have found any blistering of the gelcoat or surfaces inside the cabin? . If that indeed did happen then the bargain boat may not be that much of a bargain down the road unless you are prepared to deal with constant gelcoat and glass repair for a LONG time. Every time you feel you found and repaired the very last crack or blister a few months go by, and here we go again. A few more appear. It can be disheartning or you can look at it as on the job training. You will be an EXPERT at this by the time you are ready for your next boat.
Dave LaPereDave, I agree, I think freezing over time might have been what caused it. When I first looked at the boat in June, there wasn't any water. Several rainstorms in July and the compartments were filled when I went back to look at it again. I don't see any sign of blisters anywhere either inside or outside. Perhaps they are deep where I can't see them, but I'm an optimist. My theory is to keep the inside dry so I am sure all water is gone, then seal it and see what happens. Since it is all bilge sort of area, I am not fussy as to what I use; if gelcoat is the best bet, then I'll seal with that. Yes, I may have some work ahead of me, but in defense of my boat, I've seen much worse for more. The boat cost 1000; 2 good mainsails, along with a 150 and a 110 in about the same shape; a trailer that is enough to get it to its winter storage a mile away. No outside gelcoat cracks or damage to the hull; keel hangers, bolts, pin & cable were in incredible shape. I installed a new winch. Everything was in pretty decent condition for a 73, save the tiller, which was a "customized" baseball bat (replaced!). It has been in the water for 2 months with no leaks save for some topside stuff I have at the top of the winter project list. Hey, it even sails pretty well....!
Let it dry out
Before you do any kind of sealing, you should make sure it's *really* dry. If you have covered storage, that would be best - let it sit over the winter, completely dry & by spring, it should all be gone. Are you sure it's necessary to "seal" it? If you don't leave the companionway open during a rainstorm, or clean up immediately afterward, any water shouldn't be there long enough to soak into the liner. Might save you some hassle??? LaDonna
Before you do any kind of sealing, you should make sure it's *really* dry. If you have covered storage, that would be best - let it sit over the winter, completely dry & by spring, it should all be gone. Are you sure it's necessary to "seal" it? If you don't leave the companionway open during a rainstorm, or clean up immediately afterward, any water shouldn't be there long enough to soak into the liner. Might save you some hassle???
LaDonnaLaDonna, Yes, I will have covered dry storage so it should be really dry come winter; it's dry right now. I don't anticipate any other way for the water to get in (any NORMAL ways at least), but in case it does, like cleaning it out, or some accidental spillage of some kind, I don't want to worry about what it might be doing to my hull. The water runs right down like a drain to the center under the floor (I assume). Sealing it should do it, it would seem to me. I take it this is not a common problem even in a boat of my age....?
Bargain Boat
Hi Laurie, I don't want to give you the impression you didn't get a good deal. I believe you did and I believe it sails very well. I was amused at the baseball bat tiller<lol> maybe you should keep and frame it. It certainly would make a great conversation piece. West Marine makes a very good gelcoat repair kit for polyester fiberglass. You can find them online at westmarine.com Dave
Hi Laurie, I don't want to give you the impression you didn't get a good deal. I believe you did and I believe it sails very well. I was amused at the baseball bat tiller<lol> maybe you should keep and frame it. It certainly would make a great conversation piece. West Marine makes a very good gelcoat repair kit for polyester fiberglass. You can find them online at westmarine.com
DaveBargain Boat
Dave, I guess I did sound a little defensive didn't I. Sorry about that. I appreciate the advice both you and LaDonna gave me. I guess I am still convincing myself I "done good" on a deal I couldn't pass up. I mean, SOMETHING has to turn out to be wrong with it, doesn't it? So far so good though. I even put a couple of photos up in the Gallery. And I'm saving the baseball bat...never know when I might need a spare tiller. Thanks again!
Dave, I guess I did sound a little defensive didn't I
. Sorry about that. I appreciate the advice both you and LaDonna gave me. I guess I am still convincing myself I "done good" on a deal I couldn't pass up. I mean, SOMETHING has to turn out to be wrong with it, doesn't it? So far so good though. I even put a couple of photos up in the Gallery. And I'm saving the baseball bat...never know when I might need a spare tiller. Thanks again!- Status