wet bilge

[brad minda]

I may be obsessing but I really don't like the ideas of water constantly standing on the binge fiberglass and keel bolts. I realize it has been doing so since the boat was new (85) but still... on my previous boat I used some of that as seen on TV spray on sealant and it seemed to work fine. Anyone ever used anything to brush on or spray on the bilge area to coat it and make it water proof.

 

[Apex]

bilgecoat

 

[Bill Roosa]

Pretty sure that keeping the water out first is the best course of action. The only place that water should be coming in is the prop shaft gland and then only when the prop shaft is turning. Unless you motor a lot that will evaporate on its own. At least that is what my experience was with my Cat 30.
Also the keel bolts are stainless steel so covering them with a water (and air ) proof coating will promote corrosion. SS needs oxygen to keep its rust less properties. FWIW

 

[JamesG161]

What do you use to protect the other fiberglas on your boat from water? What do you spray on your galley sink?

FWIW: Most of the water in my bilge is normally fresh water.
Jim...

PS: The "As seen on TV" stuff does not work to water proof anything. I am going to spray on the top of an ant bed, hoping they can't get out.

 

[JohnVTX]

I found my water ingress finally this summer. It was coming in through the coamings in the cockpit.. Re-caulked and it stopped. Bilge dry since.

 

[jeepbluetj]

As said above. I doubt the bilge has been wet since new. I finally got mine dry. The rudderpost leaked. The waterpump leaked. Socal, so it doesn't rain, but I'm sure something leaks from the deck. Last thing to do is the drain from the fridge, I need to run that to a box with a pump in it.

Find the source of the water and fix it. Then all will be dry.

 

[mortyd]

catalina 30's have hollow masts so some water in the bilge must be lved with. some water. if you have a lot, that's a different story.

 

[jeepbluetj]

The mast is deck-stepped, and where the wiring comes through the deck should be sealed, no? One of the advantages of deck stepped masts is less water than a keel stepped mast. If there was a lot of water coming down through where the mast sits I'd worry about rotting out the core of the deck and/or the compression post.

 

[mortyd]

early 30's did indeed have a rot problem, eventually catalina solved it by using 'non-wood' to step the mast. check the internaional catalina 30 website to see where your boat fits.

 

[Benny17441]

I happen to believe that the chances of having to replace keel bolts rest largely on the effects of an accidental grounding and not corrosion from standing water in the bilge. I would consider coating the bilge surface as a non-productive endeavor that will only generate adding another item to the maintenance schedule. After 30 years of use coating the keel bolts will not likely prevent nor reduce corrosion; it may actually hide the telltale signs of a developing problem. It may definitely make the bilge look better but that would be about it. In the end this is your boat so proceed as you see fit; I just don't know of any product that would guarantee the desired results.

 

[Franklin]

As Bill said, do not coat your keel bolts with anything. They need oxygen. Your bolts may develop superficial rust but they will not rust through just like your prop shaft does not rust through. What kills keel bolts is salt water getting in the space between the fiberglass and the metal of the keel if it reaches the bolts. That water becomes static and builds up an acid that is the cause of 'crevice corrosion'.

 

[Tucson Sailor]

Do you hear the fresh water pump cycling on as it loses its prime? Tanks always near empty? I found a small crack in an old clear water line leading to a trickle under the water line that was emptying my water tanks into the bilge...but only when the battery switch was on. I realized we were using too much fresh water. Replaced the section of hose and no drip now. Good luck!

 

[BillyK]

i've been chasing a dry bilge for 5 years.. leak on the fresh water system in the head, rain coming in behind the engine panel in the cockpit, water would blow out of the hot water heater pressure valve when the engine temp came up and got it hot (that was a tough one to figure out), AC unit would drip water behind where it's installed, and so far that's what i've found.. and i still have a wet bilge.. its fresh water and not salt, so i know its coming from inside.. BOATS!!!