Water Leak under fuel tank

[Rick Green]

I tracked down a water leak and found it was coming from underneath the fuel tank of my 1982 Catalina 30. Although there is not much room under the fuel tank I was able to see that there are four bolts that go through the hull. (I suppose they are holding the strut for the propeller shaft.) Water was definitely leaking past the bolts. I tried tighting the bolts but no joy. I now have the boat out of the water. Looking at the strut I can't see how any water can be seeping past the strut! It seems sealed to the hull.Anyone had this problem or got any ideas on how to fix it??

 

[John Mercator]

Rebed

I had to loosed the 4 bolts, rebed the strut plate from underneath (with 5200), then retighten the bolts and fiberglass and resin over the bolts again. There was a mound of fiberglass and resin about 3 inches high and 8 inches in diameter over the bolts when I took the fuel tank off. I had to cut and grind down through the fiberglass to get to the nuts. Nasty job. Then after retightening the bolts I built up another mound of fiberglass and resin over them. So far no problem. Aligning the drive shaft of course is important.

 

[Jim S.1435]

Strut Leak

I had the same problem with my C30. It may have occured when I hit a submerged object. I was able to tighten each of the four bolts slightly. I then carefully made a small groove (1/16-3/32")in the bottom material all around the strut and filled it with two applications of flexable expoxy from Marine Tex. Make sure everythng the epoxy touches is cleaned properly. It work well and my bilge is once again dry.Jim s. S/V Sea Nymph

 

[Windwalker]

Check Rudder post before doing more work!

Best to check your rudder post & see if you get any water through the packing before you do any major work. The water can push up through loose packing and drain down under the fuel tank, making it look like it is from the strut. Like the other posts, the strut bolts are usually glassed in & not too susceptable to leaking (a nasty job no one wants to do if they don't have to). My rudder tends to leak when I'm under way, more when motoring. Replacing the packing on your rudder post is a much easier fix & might warrant doing just to be sure before delving into refastening the strut.