Water In The Bilge

[Allan B.]

I have an O'day 322 and never had any problems with water leaking into the bilge (their is always some water), but just recently something changed. When the boat went in last week, after being on the stands all winter, I noticed a more than unusual amount of water. In 24 hours I had approximately 4 inches of water. Sucking the water out with a shop vac and drying it with a paper towel I noticed an ever so slight amount of water coming from under the last keel boat (aft) or from the back of the bilge, what I would call the keel stub. I had the boat hauled and blocked, filled the bilge with fresh water and let it sit for a week. I cannot find any exteranl leak since then. Any ideas out there? Could it be wicking through the seam between the keel and the keel stud?

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Deformation

Question 1: are you sure the water was originating under that bolt? Sometimes water will flow in a thin enough sink not to be very noticable until it hits a depression or obstacle, then pool and become obvious. I'm assuming you've ruled this out but if not check it out.If its really coming from below, it makes sense that you would have no leak on blocks since the weight of the the hull bearing on the keel could seal it back up. I think you need to have a surveyor look for water in the keel stub from the outside. I might be tempted to remove the paint at the keel/hull interface to have a look but I'd leave it as it will make the surveyor's life easier if things are intact to begin with.Justin - O'day Owners' Web