I'm very new to sailing and just purchased a catalina 22, end of year. I see a lot of nooks and crannies with little puddles of water. And there are two drains from the cockpit that drain into a tube with a valve, which I havent figured out where the water goes yet. Could there be any damage from freezing in these places? Thanks, Dan
water in bilge freezing
- Thread starter Dan Vitale
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Dry it out
Hi, I would suggest finding as many of the leaks as you can. These can be from anything fastened topsides. The chainplates, the winches and clutches....you name it. one way to find these leaks is to use a hose while you look for water comming in. After you have done your best in repairing the leaks, tarp it with a substantial tarp and use some of that chemical dryer stuff that you can get at a home improvement center. If you have a swing keel, I would also check all the hardware for lifting and pivoting of this keel. Water can enter through what is called the volcano where the cable runs from the winch to the keel. The cockpit drains on the "old-style" run through the bilge and out of the bottom of the hull. Since these drains can get clogged (More often with fall leaves or animal hairs) some people add transom scuppers to help it drain back there. Check out Catalina Direct for some of your OE replacement parts and up grades. They also have a manuel/catalog that is a big help.
Hi, I would suggest finding as many of the leaks as you can. These can be from anything fastened topsides. The chainplates, the winches and clutches....you name it. one way to find these leaks is to use a hose while you look for water comming in. After you have done your best in repairing the leaks, tarp it with a substantial tarp and use some of that chemical dryer stuff that you can get at a home improvement center. If you have a swing keel, I would also check all the hardware for lifting and pivoting of this keel. Water can enter through what is called the volcano where the cable runs from the winch to the keel. The cockpit drains on the "old-style" run through the bilge and out of the bottom of the hull. Since these drains can get clogged (More often with fall leaves or animal hairs) some people add transom scuppers to help it drain back there. Check out Catalina Direct for some of your OE replacement parts and up grades. They also have a manuel/catalog that is a big help.
C22 in northern winters
Dan: My 1974 C22 has never had a freezing problem through Wyoming winters. It starts out with the bilge dry and is covered with a "haystack cover" and left alone outdoors and unattended October thru May. I also blow out any water from the "galley" water tank and sink drains. I try to support the tarp in the cockpit area from beneath with plastic garbage cans, and I put in wooden blocks between the spreaders and the cabin top to avoid snow loading problems. During winter, some precipitation water does get into the cockpit area during thaws, but most drains OK and much evaporates in our climate. The rest,if it freezes cuases no damage because it is not contained in a tight space. I used to remove the battery, but have not during the past 4 winters, rather leaving it well charged and all wiring leads removed. I think a trickle chaarge solar cell would be nice too as voltage does drop overwinter and if it ever gets too low the electrolyte may freeze and break the plates and/or case. One winter was spent in Oregon in this "winterized" condition without freezing problems, though the extra moisture was good for molds in the cockpit area requiring more spring elbow grease than I'm used to. RK
Dan: My 1974 C22 has never had a freezing problem through Wyoming winters. It starts out with the bilge dry and is covered with a "haystack cover" and left alone outdoors and unattended October thru May. I also blow out any water from the "galley" water tank and sink drains. I try to support the tarp in the cockpit area from beneath with plastic garbage cans, and I put in wooden blocks between the spreaders and the cabin top to avoid snow loading problems. During winter, some precipitation water does get into the cockpit area during thaws, but most drains OK and much evaporates in our climate. The rest,if it freezes cuases no damage because it is not contained in a tight space. I used to remove the battery, but have not during the past 4 winters, rather leaving it well charged and all wiring leads removed. I think a trickle chaarge solar cell would be nice too as voltage does drop overwinter and if it ever gets too low the electrolyte may freeze and break the plates and/or case. One winter was spent in Oregon in this "winterized" condition without freezing problems, though the extra moisture was good for molds in the cockpit area requiring more spring elbow grease than I'm used to. RK
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