I read an article in the archives about putting pepper in the the ballast tank to stop slow leaks? Does this acually work? The problem i am having is water in the bilge and i have no idea where its coming from. I have checked numerous areas and all seem to be fine. Rudder hardware, motor mount, ladder bolts, sink and bilge drains, anchor locker box, resealed rub rail, checked centerboard bracket bolt,potta potti screws, step mounts, outside table mount, and probably some other things i cant think of at the moment. The only thing left is the ballast tank and the lifeline stensions. I'm pretty sure its not from topside since it hasnt rained alot lately and when i check the boat every other day i have about 2 to 3 gallons in the bilge. I installed a new 500gal bilge pump on the battery side since the factory one was no good and the water always collected on the opposite side. I used the same through hull and just ran an extension hose around to the other side. Works great and has been gettin alot of use too. Anyway-- i am out of ideas and tired of lookin. I cant think of any other place where water can come from. I havnt tried the food coloring trick yet but have noticed that when i open the ballast tank valve the tank fills with more water. Any ideas??? I am thinking about dumping some pepper in the tank to see if that seals up any slow leaks i may have.
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Rick Webb
It Works in a Radiator
Not sure if it would work in the ballast tank without the same sort of pressure to force it into the leak. I can't figure out any harm it would do so what the heck. I used to get quite a bit of water in my 23.5 just from condensation and through the hatch boards but never as much as you describe. A solar powered vent and a companionway cover have cured most of my leaks one of these days I'll get around to the leak from the anchor well latch.
Not sure if it would work in the ballast tank without the same sort of pressure to force it into the leak. I can't figure out any harm it would do so what the heck. I used to get quite a bit of water in my 23.5 just from condensation and through the hatch boards but never as much as you describe. A solar powered vent and a companionway cover have cured most of my leaks one of these days I'll get around to the leak from the anchor well latch.
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alan
Need more info.
Does the boat accumulate water when sitting at a dock or do you need to be underway? When underway (heeling) water can be rammed up the bilge pump drain into the bilge. Also, any water that winds up under the sinks will wind up on top of the ballast tank when that sink is windward and make its way to under the other sink. What are you calling the bilge? I belive that the bilge proper is only under the rear berth and the factory pump should cover it. I would try the food coloring thing first. Good luck! alan P.S. water flowing into the tank after full is worrysome, however, if the seal at the inlet is bad, it could allow water out when heeling and not allow it in when sitting level. Of course one would have to assume two seperate problems. Along the same line, you could have a leak at the tank controls and vent which would explain the water inside also. For that I would wrap paper towels around the tank control and vent.
Does the boat accumulate water when sitting at a dock or do you need to be underway? When underway (heeling) water can be rammed up the bilge pump drain into the bilge. Also, any water that winds up under the sinks will wind up on top of the ballast tank when that sink is windward and make its way to under the other sink. What are you calling the bilge? I belive that the bilge proper is only under the rear berth and the factory pump should cover it. I would try the food coloring thing first. Good luck! alan P.S. water flowing into the tank after full is worrysome, however, if the seal at the inlet is bad, it could allow water out when heeling and not allow it in when sitting level. Of course one would have to assume two seperate problems. Along the same line, you could have a leak at the tank controls and vent which would explain the water inside also. For that I would wrap paper towels around the tank control and vent.
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Greg
More searching...
I'm out to look some more... my boat is a 23.5, the bilge area wraps all the way around the boat (underseats etc). I thought for a while that maybe water had been trapped somewhere and finally showed up after sailing... but i'm getting too much water for that. I get water even as the boat sits in the slip. I did check the sink and bilge drains... they were loose, i resealed and tightened them and still more water. Like i said above at the dock where the through hulls wouldnt be a prob. As for the bilge pump.. in the 23.5 its located on port side and raised up a little. It was wired improperly too. Plus the water always collects on the battery/gas side of the boat due to the wieght. So i picked up a 500g automatic pump from walmart and placed it just behind the battery. Works good. I used 5200 to secure instead of screws. I'm suspecting the water ballest since i am getting that slight refill as i open the tank valve.. i just dont know where in the tank it would come from. I did find that the hole where the anchor box latch secures was rather damp. I sealed that too but then again i have too much water gettin in for it to be just that. Oh well.. off to the boat, i will update Greg
I'm out to look some more... my boat is a 23.5, the bilge area wraps all the way around the boat (underseats etc). I thought for a while that maybe water had been trapped somewhere and finally showed up after sailing... but i'm getting too much water for that. I get water even as the boat sits in the slip. I did check the sink and bilge drains... they were loose, i resealed and tightened them and still more water. Like i said above at the dock where the through hulls wouldnt be a prob. As for the bilge pump.. in the 23.5 its located on port side and raised up a little. It was wired improperly too. Plus the water always collects on the battery/gas side of the boat due to the wieght. So i picked up a 500g automatic pump from walmart and placed it just behind the battery. Works good. I used 5200 to secure instead of screws. I'm suspecting the water ballest since i am getting that slight refill as i open the tank valve.. i just dont know where in the tank it would come from. I did find that the hole where the anchor box latch secures was rather damp. I sealed that too but then again i have too much water gettin in for it to be just that. Oh well.. off to the boat, i will update Greg
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Rick Webb
Keep Us Up To Date
I notice on mine that on a hot day if I open the plug on the tank I get a whoosh of air from the expansion in the tank guess it would be the same on a cold day have you ever noticed this on yours? Food coloring in the tank would make the definitive diagnosis. Something else you may want to consider how far down in the stern does the boat sit? If the edge is under water and yours has that crack that a lot of others do could that be the source? I have two batteries on mine and I moved them up under the V berth I just glopped a bunch of 5200 on top of the ballast tank right in front of the compression post and slapped a piece of starboard on top of it made a big difference in how the boat is balanced for to aft and port to starboard. The other big advantage is it frees up that spot where the batteries used to be for stuff you get to more often. I'm hoping it is something simple.
I notice on mine that on a hot day if I open the plug on the tank I get a whoosh of air from the expansion in the tank guess it would be the same on a cold day have you ever noticed this on yours? Food coloring in the tank would make the definitive diagnosis. Something else you may want to consider how far down in the stern does the boat sit? If the edge is under water and yours has that crack that a lot of others do could that be the source? I have two batteries on mine and I moved them up under the V berth I just glopped a bunch of 5200 on top of the ballast tank right in front of the compression post and slapped a piece of starboard on top of it made a big difference in how the boat is balanced for to aft and port to starboard. The other big advantage is it frees up that spot where the batteries used to be for stuff you get to more often. I'm hoping it is something simple.
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Greg
Still Nothing....
I looked again at the rudder hardware, ladder, motor mount, etc. That whole compartment back there is dry and no signs of water from before. I did have the crack on the stern; i just repaired that with some marinetec and painted it with bottom paint. Also I resealed the through bolt for the mast crutch. I didnt have as much water this time but still there was probably about 1/2 to 1 gal. I used my shop vac and got it out of there. Next step is to do the food-coloring thing, and or just add some pepper and see if that seals it up. I have looked at every possible place that i can see from the bilge all seems ok. Moving the batteries forward sounds like a good idea. I was planning on adding a second battery soon, maybe i will put both up front. Other than that.. the search goes on.
I looked again at the rudder hardware, ladder, motor mount, etc. That whole compartment back there is dry and no signs of water from before. I did have the crack on the stern; i just repaired that with some marinetec and painted it with bottom paint. Also I resealed the through bolt for the mast crutch. I didnt have as much water this time but still there was probably about 1/2 to 1 gal. I used my shop vac and got it out of there. Next step is to do the food-coloring thing, and or just add some pepper and see if that seals it up. I have looked at every possible place that i can see from the bilge all seems ok. Moving the batteries forward sounds like a good idea. I was planning on adding a second battery soon, maybe i will put both up front. Other than that.. the search goes on.
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Brigg Franklin
Ballast tank leaks
I have found a couple leaks on my 260. One under the galley was through a pin size hole. I was sitting at dock one day wondering how water was getting under the sink when I noticed a drop of water where I had just wiped the surface dry. Then wipe, drip, wipe, drip, etc. the tank top is just another molded fiberglass sheet sealed to the sides of the hull. If too little resin gets into a spot, water can work its way up through the glass to any spot where the finish has a blemish. The second place was at the screw hole at the top of the tank where you open the bottom plug. The fiberglass surface was just a little rough and the rubber faced washer just a little too thin and presto, water seeps out the top hole. Even siting still, if the boat is loaded, the top of the tank is below the water line. I just cut another rubber washer from an old tire tube, glued it to the first washer and no more leak. I also sanded the top of the tank just a little with very fine grit and repainted/resealed the top. The food color in the tank should tell you if that is where the water is coming from. LOL Brigg
I have found a couple leaks on my 260. One under the galley was through a pin size hole. I was sitting at dock one day wondering how water was getting under the sink when I noticed a drop of water where I had just wiped the surface dry. Then wipe, drip, wipe, drip, etc. the tank top is just another molded fiberglass sheet sealed to the sides of the hull. If too little resin gets into a spot, water can work its way up through the glass to any spot where the finish has a blemish. The second place was at the screw hole at the top of the tank where you open the bottom plug. The fiberglass surface was just a little rough and the rubber faced washer just a little too thin and presto, water seeps out the top hole. Even siting still, if the boat is loaded, the top of the tank is below the water line. I just cut another rubber washer from an old tire tube, glued it to the first washer and no more leak. I also sanded the top of the tank just a little with very fine grit and repainted/resealed the top. The food color in the tank should tell you if that is where the water is coming from. LOL Brigg
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Rick Webb
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Greg
thx...
Hey Rick-- I have checked the centerboard bolt, seems to be dry. The only thing i cant really get to is where the hose for the centerboard goes down below that hump. Looks like its sealed though with a hose clamp at the bottom. I suspect a small pin hole leak somewhere as Brigg mentioned. I will check it out today. Thanks for the response...Greg
Hey Rick-- I have checked the centerboard bolt, seems to be dry. The only thing i cant really get to is where the hose for the centerboard goes down below that hump. Looks like its sealed though with a hose clamp at the bottom. I suspect a small pin hole leak somewhere as Brigg mentioned. I will check it out today. Thanks for the response...Greg
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Bob Thome
centerboard bolt leak
My centerboard bolt started leaking recently. It only leaked when the boat was in motion and the centerboard moved around. The boat had been out of the water for a month and the caulk around the bolt must have dried out and contracted. After the boat was in the water for a couple days the bolt stopped leaking. I am planning to recaulk with 5200 when I get the chance.
My centerboard bolt started leaking recently. It only leaked when the boat was in motion and the centerboard moved around. The boat had been out of the water for a month and the caulk around the bolt must have dried out and contracted. After the boat was in the water for a couple days the bolt stopped leaking. I am planning to recaulk with 5200 when I get the chance.
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Crazy Dave Condon
suggestions
Try the food coloring in the water tank. If there is no indication, then go back to the area beneath the compression post. pull up the cover plate and look to make sure the 5200 seal between the plate and the top of the fiberglass is sealed. You may want to motor fast and see if any water is coming in. Another area is the wing nut to open and close the valve. There is a washer and beneath the washer on the backside of it is a gasket. Is that worn allowing water to come in? What about the plug for the air vent. Is it tight? an easy way to find out is to get about 4-5 guys and stand on front of the boat. Look over boat. Move the guys to the center and repeat. Move the guys to the back and look again. If nothing, I would think the leak is topsides. Close up boat and seal everything and use a leaf blower to force air into the boat. Take soapy water with a brush and brush all fittings, openings and so forth and if it bubbles, you have a leak at that point topsides. Good luck and if you finally get nowhere, call Greg Emerson at Hunter to get my phone number and let me talk with you. Crazy Dave Condon
Try the food coloring in the water tank. If there is no indication, then go back to the area beneath the compression post. pull up the cover plate and look to make sure the 5200 seal between the plate and the top of the fiberglass is sealed. You may want to motor fast and see if any water is coming in. Another area is the wing nut to open and close the valve. There is a washer and beneath the washer on the backside of it is a gasket. Is that worn allowing water to come in? What about the plug for the air vent. Is it tight? an easy way to find out is to get about 4-5 guys and stand on front of the boat. Look over boat. Move the guys to the center and repeat. Move the guys to the back and look again. If nothing, I would think the leak is topsides. Close up boat and seal everything and use a leaf blower to force air into the boat. Take soapy water with a brush and brush all fittings, openings and so forth and if it bubbles, you have a leak at that point topsides. Good luck and if you finally get nowhere, call Greg Emerson at Hunter to get my phone number and let me talk with you. Crazy Dave Condon
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Greg
Thx Dave...
I will be trying the coloring trick today or this weekend... I will let you know what happens and what next. Thanks... Greg
I will be trying the coloring trick today or this weekend... I will let you know what happens and what next. Thanks... Greg
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