weeping/small leak--what to do?

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May 1, 2007
3
- - Jackson, MS
Hi, I recently purchased an older Catalina 22 and I am just learning how to sail it. I have it docked at a marina at a fresh water lake in Mississippi. I have recently noticed that there appears to be a small leak in my boat. Water is seeping into the starboard side of the compartment underneath the keel winch. It's not a lot of water--maybe a a cup or two a day, but it is lake water, not rain water (we're in a drought here). It looks as if the water is coming from around where the swing keel pivots into the boat. It is not coming from the 'volcano'. I am wonder where the water is coming from. Could it be the screws that hold the keel in place are weeping water? Can that happen? Can there be a blister allowing water through the hull where the keel goes up into the boat? Does anyone have any experience with this? It doesn't appear to be a big leak (right now) and my intention is to keep the boat in the water until September, provided the leak doesn't get any worse. I don't have any experience in such matters and any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,077
Several Catalinas C25/C320 USA
Leak

I had a similar leak on a smaller boat, mine was around the keel...here's what I did. Pulled the boat out of the water on it's trailer. Dumped in a couple of gallons of water into the boat, when it started coming out, I could see exactly where the leak was originating. Cleaned up the area around the leak (as well as I could) and got some caulk/sealant, the type that can be applied under water. Put on lots of caulk/sealant, being careful not to impede the movement of the keel. End of leak.
 
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