Water in the bilge

[ultrahog]

I am considering buying a Ericson 1984 35-3 sailboat and as I was checking it out there was about 2-3 inches of water in the bilge. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Most boats I have looked at have the same problem. Just don't want to get into an expensive repair

Thanks

 

[Roger Long]

Fresh or salt?

 

[ultrahog]

salt

 

[Chuckbear]

Unless a boat has a dripless packing system and no way to allow water to enter, and there are not many of those out there, you will never buy a boat if you allow some water in the bilge to scare you off. Look for the source of the water, probably the stuffing box, which is usually supposed to drip to do its job. Chuck

 

[ultrahog]

Thanks That is sort of what I figured but was looking for other opinons.

 

[tommays]

Well

1984 35' boat and expensive is gonna happen at some point even if its just buying a sail

BUT you would have to define your idea of expensive

 

[Ed Schenck]

Where's Tim R.? He owns a 35-3. Isn't the mast keel-stepped? Then you will always have a mix of fresh and salt water.

 

[Tim R.]

Here I am. Watching the Olympics.

The mast is keel stepped and you will also have some fresh water coming down the mast into the bilges. When checking whether it is fresh or salt water, always wash your finger before dipping it. If not, you could be tasting the salt from your finger. I usually just have my dog lick my finger first

This salt water could also be from decommissioning the engine. I always run fresh water and then AF through my raw water side but not everyone does that. They could have changed the zinc and just let the water drain into the bilges.

There is always the chance that this water came in through the keel joint. Look for any sign of a crack or gap where the keel attaches to the hull. These keels do not flex much on the stub and it is possible to get them faired perfectly with no crack.

A great Ericson website is at www.ericsonyachts.org


Check out my link below and go to projects for some the work I have done on mine.

 

[Roy10289]

I agree with above opinions. Bilge water can come from so many different sources,and it may be a combination of salt and fresh water. Just because it tastes salty doesn't mean it isn't 45% from packing gland and the rest fresh water from mast drip,water tank leak or fittings leaking etc.If the boat seems sound otherwise, IMHO I wouldn't worry about it. All boats I have ever sailed on have had a little water in the bilge at one time or another.

 

[higgs]

Truth is you just don't know. What I would want to determine if it is from keel bolts. All the other stuff is not hard to fix.

 

[Steve Dion]

I believe that the Ericson's have an encapsulated keel!

 

[zeehag]

the packing gland is probably the culprit----the keel isnt a bolt on --is encapsulated. check all thru hulls make sure the hull interior has no sheen from incoming water....goood luck--is probably no big deal..my ericson 35 mII used to have that much water in bilge when i had regular packing--i have changed out my unit to dripless and i am very happy with it....goood luck...

ps--my ericson 35 MII has a deck stepped mast.....which is another entirely different problem--seems the deck step--is a dish that destroys self and makes water leak into deck...lol...so check that also...the repair is 2000 dollars......and replacement of the dish

 

[Tim R.]

The keel on an Ericson 35-3 is not encapsulated nor were many of the post 1983 Ericsons. The 35-2 is. Please do not post information unless you are sure.