seawater in the bilge, new e33

[jbinbi]

So I purchased a 1 year old e33. After taking possession of the boat, I noticed water in the bilge. At first, I thought it was from the hose leading to the sink drain thru hull. The boat has 2 thru hulls, one for the sink drain, and the other for the head intake. When I did the inspection, the boat was on land, and both were green and somewhat corroded. I had asked that these be replaced.

however, the water in the bilge is sea water. I wet vac about 20 gallons a week out of the bilge(s). This is a lot, but doesn't show that way across multiple sections, maybe 1.5" of water.

I drained it all, dried it out, put out some newspaper strips, and it seems like it is coming from one of the keel bolts. I find that hard to believe, but seems the case. The inspection of the boat by the surveyor with me there showed no damage at all to the keel. The previous owner only had the boat 1 year, used a few times, I checked with the place he kept the boat and there were no repairs.

Just wondering if anyone else has seen this issue? My previous Beneteau never had a single drop of water in the bilge for 5 years.

Anyone else see anything like this? Do hunters accumulate water in the bilge?

 

[Steve Dion]

Have you inspected the packing glad?

The should NOT leak when the engine/shaft are not turning.

 

[kloudie1]

Probably should have no seawater in the bilge since that is a saildrive boat. Time to trace carefully. should be easy to find since that is a good sized leak.. If it truly is due to keelbolts, there is a problem that should be corrected.. It would be unusual to collect that much normally. The previous owner may have grounded the boat or hit something with the keel.. It is probably not a lot of damage if the survey didn't pick it up, and simply tightening the bolts may re-seat the sealant and correct the leak.. It may be that next time she is out of the water, you'll have to re-seal the keel-to-hull joint..
I would be surprised if you didn't have another thru-hull for the sink in the head.. also check around the saildrive diaphragm, the saildrive raw water hoses and pump around the engine.. Check the rudder post packing, and the transom-to-hull joint

 

[jbinbi]

kloudie, thanks. actually do have another thu hull in head for dishcharge of course!

have brought boat to local hunter dealer (whom I purchased it used from) to see if they can find the leak and fix.

 

[PaxiMoon]

Being Salt Water my thoughts (after tracing fresh water leaks on our e33)

a) Engine Bay - either the saildrive seal or the raw water pump/filter. Unlikely to be the saildrive seal. Do you turn off the raw water when leaving the boat? If yes then the quantity of water would rule this out

b) Toilet again seacocks off would rule this out

c) Seacocks - the ones next to galley should be easy to see any seepage. . The holding tank one is not so easy to see

d) Depth Sounder through hull again should be easy to see

e) Keels - you seem to be looking at these

f) deck to hull seal - our e33 sinks her stern when motoring. If you are in a roughish mooring slapping waves might find their way through any fault in the sealant?

g) Exhaust exit - just above the water line but if the pipe isnt fitted properly then...