water in bilge

[rex]

Our hunter 22 has recently had more water in the bilge than normal. Possible sources? Bilge used to stay nearly dry, now I have to pump nearly everytime i use the boat. Seems to happen even if just left in marina.

 

[Mike]

centerboard bracket bolts

The only source that i can think of would be either the (4) 1/4 inch centerboard bracket bolts. Other than that, it would be a leaking transducer or depth sounder. It could even be a leaking sink drain ball valve or something

 

[Brian]

Possible Places to check

I have just gone through my 81 from bow to transom. Is the boat in salt water? If so is the bilge water salty? Do you find water only after it rains? Is it only after it rains? Do you have water in the fresh water tank? I found a seam where the anchor locker attaches to the inner hull that need to be resealed. I found leaking stanchions, The small tubes that lead from the scuppers to the hull sides just aft of the companionway were both split and leaking. The through hull for the sink under starboard quarter berth, was in poor shape (not leaking though), The 4 bolts that hold the the swing keel are also known to leak. (I just reworked my entire swing keel mounting). And of course there is the cockpit drains and associated tubing in the stern.Brian

 

[Rex]

thanks

Thanks, How do I check the bolts? That makes sense, have beached the boat in the last couple of months.

 

[Steve677]

Places to check...

Hello Rex,Be sure and check the lower pintle as well as your cockpit drain hose. Both are at the water line and can leak more than you might suspect. Check out the lazarette... Rock your rudder back and forth and see if the pintle moves. I had to remount my lower pintle and replace my cockpit drain hose to eliminate a problem much like you are describing...

 

[Brian]

Swing keel bolts

My opnion is if you suspect the bolts. Then you should check out the entire mount. Pull the boat out of the water, drop the keel, inspect all the components, inspect the trunk itself and then reassemble. I bought my 81 minus a swing keel. The previous owner lost it while sailing. (it is somewhere at the bottom of the long island sound). The axle rod had rotted away. I installed a new swing keel, new bolts, new axle. I also found areas in the trunk that had chipped away and were paper thin. I repaired those with West epoxy. I have extra axle material and bolts if you need. (all 316 stainless steel) the screw I used require an allen wrench. ( I feel I can get them tighter than the stock phillips head) My boat was on a trailer when I did the work. I had to remove an axle from the trailer but I was able to do the install it all by myself.