Help!
IN the past month I started to detect a small amount of sea water ingress (1/2 cup per day) in the bilge (transducer access hatch in forward cabin) and I can't determine the source. The boat is alongside, has not grounded or struck anything, there is no leakage through any through hull fitting or through the transducer/log area which could have contributed due to the relative height and forward position of this part of the bilge. I've run my hand as far forward through the deck hatch as I can and the decking is slightly moist (not soaking), but I can't find the source which slowly accumulates before dripping into the "lower bilge" (where the keel bolts and bilge pump are located). There is no obvious ingress from any deck fittings, from the fresh water tank (under the forward berth) or from condensation. The water is clear and and tastes like undiluted sea water. To see if it is fresh water, I've cleaned and dried the entire bilge surface with fresh water to see if the water might have been mixing/diluting with dried salt water residue on the inside of the hull, but it still tastes salty.
Any ideas where the water is coming from? Could it be a fresh water leak but the dilution is taking forever??
IN the past month I started to detect a small amount of sea water ingress (1/2 cup per day) in the bilge (transducer access hatch in forward cabin) and I can't determine the source. The boat is alongside, has not grounded or struck anything, there is no leakage through any through hull fitting or through the transducer/log area which could have contributed due to the relative height and forward position of this part of the bilge. I've run my hand as far forward through the deck hatch as I can and the decking is slightly moist (not soaking), but I can't find the source which slowly accumulates before dripping into the "lower bilge" (where the keel bolts and bilge pump are located). There is no obvious ingress from any deck fittings, from the fresh water tank (under the forward berth) or from condensation. The water is clear and and tastes like undiluted sea water. To see if it is fresh water, I've cleaned and dried the entire bilge surface with fresh water to see if the water might have been mixing/diluting with dried salt water residue on the inside of the hull, but it still tastes salty.
Any ideas where the water is coming from? Could it be a fresh water leak but the dilution is taking forever??