1979 Catalina 27. it seems I have a very slow trickle of water creeping into my bilge area at the far aft end about a foot past the last keel bolt. when i completely dry out the bilge area with a towel, the ever small trickle is visible. It may only be a quart per day, but it adds up fast. Has anyone experienced this, and if so, can it be repaired from the INSIDE? I'm guessing it may require a haul out to allow it to dry out, but still not sure. any replys welcome.
water leaking into bilge
- Thread starter Joe23603
- Start date
- Status
Stuffing Box - propeller shaft
I would guess you need to adjust the stuffing box or replace the packing. Check the archivies - there is a ton of info on this.
I would guess you need to adjust the stuffing box or replace the packing. Check the archivies - there is a ton of info on this.
you did say, any reply welcome.......so
I will tell you where my tiny leak was coming from. The rudder post. It also has a small packing gland that needs replacing every so often. I have wheel steering so it may be differant with a tiller set-up. Sorry that I can't help more, good luck, jack
I will tell you where my tiny leak was coming from. The rudder post. It also has a small packing gland that needs replacing every so often. I have wheel steering so it may be differant with a tiller set-up. Sorry that I can't help more, good luck, jack
Well
Where is the leak coming from. If you can see it trickling, is it coming from the stuffing box, the rubber post, a through hull fitting or a hole in the bottom... Some things can easily be fixed from the inside, however others may require hall out. IMHO - If I could not find the source of a trickle on my boat, I would pull my boat immediately as you may have a catostrophic occurance getting ready to happen. Greg
Where is the leak coming from. If you can see it trickling, is it coming from the stuffing box, the rubber post, a through hull fitting or a hole in the bottom... Some things can easily be fixed from the inside, however others may require hall out. IMHO - If I could not find the source of a trickle on my boat, I would pull my boat immediately as you may have a catostrophic occurance getting ready to happen. Greg
I think that I
understand that the leak appears to be through the structure of the boat. NO it can't be repaired from the inside and yes you must get it dry before you attempt any repairs. If you have the boat taken out while there is still some water in the bilge then when the rest of the hull is dry the water should leak back out and keep a spot wet in the area of the leak. That will help you identify the problem area.
understand that the leak appears to be through the structure of the boat. NO it can't be repaired from the inside and yes you must get it dry before you attempt any repairs. If you have the boat taken out while there is still some water in the bilge then when the rest of the hull is dry the water should leak back out and keep a spot wet in the area of the leak. That will help you identify the problem area.
Catalina smile?
When I was shopping for my boat (bought an O'Day 272) two years ago, I found a Catalina 27, about the same vintage as yours, which had a very small leak in the bilge. As I explored the leak, and then did lots of internet research, I came across a condition known as the "Catalina smile." Seems that the foundation under the keel bolt heads is plywood encased in epoxy, which is subjet to rot if water seeps up into the bilge due to loose keel bolts that might have been aggravated by a grounding or other bump to the keel. As the bedding under the keel bolt nuts in the bilge softens, the keel sags enough to create the "smile," a small opening between the front of the keel and the hull stub where it attaches. There are good references to this on the web if you just google "catalina smile." Fix seems to be to open up the bilge, remove epoxy cover, all wet plywood below, and rebuild. Not killer, but definitely a job to be done on the hard, not in the water. Good luck.
When I was shopping for my boat (bought an O'Day 272) two years ago, I found a Catalina 27, about the same vintage as yours, which had a very small leak in the bilge. As I explored the leak, and then did lots of internet research, I came across a condition known as the "Catalina smile." Seems that the foundation under the keel bolt heads is plywood encased in epoxy, which is subjet to rot if water seeps up into the bilge due to loose keel bolts that might have been aggravated by a grounding or other bump to the keel. As the bedding under the keel bolt nuts in the bilge softens, the keel sags enough to create the "smile," a small opening between the front of the keel and the hull stub where it attaches. There are good references to this on the web if you just google "catalina smile." Fix seems to be to open up the bilge, remove epoxy cover, all wet plywood below, and rebuild. Not killer, but definitely a job to be done on the hard, not in the water. Good luck.
thanks
thanks for that info... i am still in the research stage and will google "the smile" with a frown. joe
thanks for that info... i am still in the research stage and will google "the smile" with a frown. joe
Bilge water
I guess I'll post it here as well. Are you saying it is coming up from the keel bolt? Or do you think it is coming from some other area and draining into the bilge sump. I just sealed a minute moisture problem around my aft keel bolt. I never saw any water at all, just signs of moisture (rust) around the bolt. Anyway, if the keel bolt(s) are leaking, it's a little more serious, long term, in your boat, because boats of that vintage used wood in the keel sump and it may rot over time, I think. You don't have to have a "Catalina smile" to have a leak. I'm not sure what the best fix may be in that case, but I have read a lot of information over the years about people digging out the sump area, and filling it in with resin products. Were you able to search the archives? Try searching for “bilge, water, rot” in the Ask A Catalina Owner forum for 2004’. Or try the link This is a start. There is a lot more information available.
I guess I'll post it here as well. Are you saying it is coming up from the keel bolt? Or do you think it is coming from some other area and draining into the bilge sump. I just sealed a minute moisture problem around my aft keel bolt. I never saw any water at all, just signs of moisture (rust) around the bolt. Anyway, if the keel bolt(s) are leaking, it's a little more serious, long term, in your boat, because boats of that vintage used wood in the keel sump and it may rot over time, I think. You don't have to have a "Catalina smile" to have a leak. I'm not sure what the best fix may be in that case, but I have read a lot of information over the years about people digging out the sump area, and filling it in with resin products. Were you able to search the archives? Try searching for “bilge, water, rot” in the Ask A Catalina Owner forum for 2004’. Or try the link This is a start. There is a lot more information available.
- Status