Water in Bilge

[CathleenCassidy]

Hunter 28.5 - 1986

About a week ago, went aboard and Battery #1 was dead and the bilge was full. Flipped to Battery #2 and pump kicked on. The next day, bilge appeared to be steadily filling, causing the pump run continually.

Since then we have been trying to find the source of the water (and charging the batteries) - nothing obvious. The water does not pour in - more like a seeping/weeping, but steady.

We inspected all of the hoses, nothing seemed cracked and all were dry. Nothing in the lockers, ice box, lazerette, anchor area. Same for the head.

We drained the water tank - after that, the water filling the bilge seemed to slacken. To the point where we were comfortable assuming that it was a water tank leak and any additional water was whatever remained in tank and hose.

Now it is a few days later and we are back to square one. A dead battery, full bilge.

We have not hit anything since splashing her this Spring and she was in great condition all winter.

Any advice would be MUCH appreciated.

 

[Deadline]

Vexing

I spent all winter is a similar search.

1. Dry the bilge, blow with hairdryer too. Observe.
2. Check the packing nut at the shaft for weeping.
3. Check the engine raw water hoses.
4. Scatter blue contractor talc to find drips.
5. Stand inside as someone gentle hoses boat.

 

[CathleenCassidy]

Re: Vexing

Thank you!

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Is it salt or fresh water, and I'm assuming you are on salt water ?

 

[CathleenCassidy]

Both actually, the Hudson River in New York - tidal estuary.

 

[jibes138]

Check your through hull seacocks to see if any water is seeping around the joints. Also check if you have a depth sounder to see if the sealant has failed. If you have a knotmeter with the little paddle wheel the seals in the tube that mounts it could be leaking. Get a torque wrench, an extension bar, and a deep socket and see if your keel bolts are tight. If they are loose you could be getting seepage through the keel bolts, tightening them might stop it and you could rebed the keel next winter if you haul out. A lot of toilets are installed without an anti-siphon break in the raw water line so you could be getting a leak in that hose connection too, so check that also.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Assuming you have an inboad engine ...

the leak is most likely from the packing nut on the shaft beginning to leak too much. You will have to loosen the locking nut in order to tighten the packing nut, then back the locking nut down again. I have to admit that I didn't feel like standing on my head to get the job done when I had that problem and I didn't have the right wrench anyway, so I had a boat yard do the job. You have to be careful not to tighten it down too much because a packing nut that is over-tightened will score the shaft.

Before I had the job done, I had the same problem that you have, where I could drain the batteries by just letting the bilge go on and off between the weekends. I got into a routine where I was blocking the auto-float and visiting the boat every day after work for a while to run the bilge pump and empty the bilge.

Afterwards, we slowed the drip so that the bilge wouldn't need pumping nearly as often, but I never liked having a couple inches of water in the bilge on a continuous basis, so I bought a PSS shaft seal from this chandelry and love the way it works flawlessly for the past 2 seasons. Now I only have water in the bilge when it rains and water finds its way from the interior of the mast to the bilge. :cry:

 

[s sauer]

Cathleen,
The 28.5 has a separate bilge under the engine that should catch any shaft log dripping or any leaks from the seawater intake valve and strainer right behind the transmission; however you seem to be describing water only in the main bilge. There is one thru hull with a gate valve for the galley sink drain in the portside compartment under the Origo stove; there are also two thru hulls to starboard in the head, one water intake and one sanitary outlet for overboard discharge. The freshwater tank lines and pump are in the compartment under the starboard setee in the main cabin and would fill up that compartment before spilling over a stringer into the main bilge.

Shut off all valves and dry both bilges; sprinkle talcum powder in a continuous trail around the top edge of the main bilge, and see if (and where) a water track appears thru the talcum powder.

On some 28.5's the fuel tank and waterlift muffler in the starboard sail locker; some are 'built into the boat and have been the source of leaks when the engine is operating; however, you seem to be describing a leak when the boat is staitionary.

Check in on www.huntertwentyeightfive.com if youwantt o share the problem specifically with other 28.5 owners who may recognize the problem areas.

 

[Prime Time]

Rudder Post?

Do you have a packing gland at the rudder post? That can also be a source of leaking.