We just purchased our catalina 30 and it seems to be taking on water at about 3/4 gallon a day. I've done my best to trace the source of the leak and it seems to be coming from directly under the fuel tank. I can't find any signs of it travelling down the hull anywhere, it just seems to be coming up through the hull. When we first bought it the base of the shaft strut had cracks in it which I ground down a fair ways and filled it with marine fairing compound and when we hauled it out to have some other work done (2 weeks after initial launch) the crack did not re-appear. But it seems to be coming from that area, any ideas? Thanks...
Where's it leaking from?
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Similar leak
I noticed leakage in (I believe) the same area of my Catalina 30 and traced it to a loose hose clamp on one of the cockpit drain hoses underneath the stern lazerette
I noticed leakage in (I believe) the same area of my Catalina 30 and traced it to a loose hose clamp on one of the cockpit drain hoses underneath the stern lazerette
Stern tube
My 1982 C-27 had a slow leak, and it looked like it was coming from beneath the stuffing box, but it turned out to be the stern tube,which eventually broke causing a an emergency haul and an expensive repair. It seems the shaft was a little out of line and wearing on the tube. Hard to check out, but take a close look at the stuffing box/stern tube area. Roger
My 1982 C-27 had a slow leak, and it looked like it was coming from beneath the stuffing box, but it turned out to be the stern tube,which eventually broke causing a an emergency haul and an expensive repair. It seems the shaft was a little out of line and wearing on the tube. Hard to check out, but take a close look at the stuffing box/stern tube area. Roger
Mine leaks too. Here's what I know...
I have the same/similar "leak". the Stern tube was original on my 81' C30, so I had it replaced hoping that would do the trick. Unfortunately it didn't. The yard did look at the rudder stuffing box as well & said it looked O.K. Also, they inspected the shaft strut & it is actually glassed in, so not much potential there. My cockpit drain tubes are above the waterline, but haden't considered drainage from the cockpit causing the issue. Anyone have detail on how to access the cockpit drain tubes for inspection?
I have the same/similar "leak". the Stern tube was original on my 81' C30, so I had it replaced hoping that would do the trick. Unfortunately it didn't. The yard did look at the rudder stuffing box as well & said it looked O.K. Also, they inspected the shaft strut & it is actually glassed in, so not much potential there. My cockpit drain tubes are above the waterline, but haden't considered drainage from the cockpit causing the issue. Anyone have detail on how to access the cockpit drain tubes for inspection?
Need more info
Does it leak while underway, or...does it seem to be taking on water faster while underway? Does it take on water while at the dock if it doesn't rain? In other words, are you taking on water just sitting there at dock on a dry day? One way to find the leak is to put sheets of paper towel down in different areas of the boat. Spread it around in the bulge and tankage areas, in the head, under the V and aft berths, etc. When you go back and check it, if water has passed in that area you will see a trail or stain. It could be a lot of things. You need to narrow it down more.
Does it leak while underway, or...does it seem to be taking on water faster while underway? Does it take on water while at the dock if it doesn't rain? In other words, are you taking on water just sitting there at dock on a dry day? One way to find the leak is to put sheets of paper towel down in different areas of the boat. Spread it around in the bulge and tankage areas, in the head, under the V and aft berths, etc. When you go back and check it, if water has passed in that area you will see a trail or stain. It could be a lot of things. You need to narrow it down more.
More detail
Thanks for replies. I guess I could have been a bit more specific. It does seem to leak more while underway, however, it still leaks while at the dock. I've checked around on the 3 "uphill" sides of the fuel tank and couldn't find anything. But about an inch forward of the tank there's what appears to ne a bit of metal (ground conection?) rising up through the hull. If I dry everything to the best of my ability water just seems to appear around there. And it's right in front of the glassed bulge where the strut bolts are. I'm going to have a friend dive on it tomorrow and take some pictures from under neath to see if there's any cracks. I don't want to haul it again
Thanks for replies. I guess I could have been a bit more specific. It does seem to leak more while underway, however, it still leaks while at the dock. I've checked around on the 3 "uphill" sides of the fuel tank and couldn't find anything. But about an inch forward of the tank there's what appears to ne a bit of metal (ground conection?) rising up through the hull. If I dry everything to the best of my ability water just seems to appear around there. And it's right in front of the glassed bulge where the strut bolts are. I'm going to have a friend dive on it tomorrow and take some pictures from under neath to see if there's any cracks. I don't want to haul it again
I think it's the strut
Well, I'm pretty sure it's the strut leaking. I had a friend scuba dive under and have a look at it and take some photos. He noticed small cracks in the filler around the base of the strut. So I'm assuming the water's getting in the cracks and travelling up through the bolt holes and into the hull. I'm hoping that I can leave it alone until the fall since it's only bee in the water for about 5 days now and I don't want to have to haul it out again right away.
Well, I'm pretty sure it's the strut leaking. I had a friend scuba dive under and have a look at it and take some photos. He noticed small cracks in the filler around the base of the strut. So I'm assuming the water's getting in the cracks and travelling up through the bolt holes and into the hull. I'm hoping that I can leave it alone until the fall since it's only bee in the water for about 5 days now and I don't want to have to haul it out again right away.
Sccubbing Bubbles
Pump out al the water and then dry it with a towel. Spary the subpect area down with Sccubbing Bubbles and look for movement in the foam. You'll find the water. Check the keel bolts. All boats leak! Thats is why they have pumps.
Pump out al the water and then dry it with a towel. Spary the subpect area down with Sccubbing Bubbles and look for movement in the foam. You'll find the water. Check the keel bolts. All boats leak! Thats is why they have pumps.
What should I use?
Well, I guess that's a good question. Is there a product that will fill the cracks and cure underwater? Because I really don't want to pay for another haul out right away.
Well, I guess that's a good question. Is there a product that will fill the cracks and cure underwater? Because I really don't want to pay for another haul out right away.
Leaking Strut
Not sure how similiar the construction is, On my 34 I had a leaks around the strut a couple years ago. Dug out all the 5200, dried it and reapplied. This year after the boat had been out a couple of months I noticed the top of the strut was showing signs of being wet. Dug out the area around the dampness to find nothing obvious. I wanted to add a small skeg (1/4" bolt) in front of the rudder to keep crab pot lines from getting caught in the rudder/hull joint. Much to my surprise I got about a quart of nasty water out of the hull when I drilled the hole for the bolt. Moral of the story, even if you get the cracks filled, you may still have water weeping into you bilge until you get it all out.
Not sure how similiar the construction is, On my 34 I had a leaks around the strut a couple years ago. Dug out all the 5200, dried it and reapplied. This year after the boat had been out a couple of months I noticed the top of the strut was showing signs of being wet. Dug out the area around the dampness to find nothing obvious. I wanted to add a small skeg (1/4" bolt) in front of the rudder to keep crab pot lines from getting caught in the rudder/hull joint. Much to my surprise I got about a quart of nasty water out of the hull when I drilled the hole for the bolt. Moral of the story, even if you get the cracks filled, you may still have water weeping into you bilge until you get it all out.
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