When I board my 1988 Cat. 30 which is almost every weekend now, I first and foremost check the bilge for water. Low and behold it never fails that I have water in the bildge (not oily or malodorous) that just seems to be high enough to not set the pump off (one inch above the bolts). What is interesting is that the windows do not leak nor the hatches. The integrity of the glass in the bilge is perfect and without any minor cracks. I did note that the mounted bilge pump and autofloat (factory) sit high and will not lower the water but an inch from the bottom. I often use a hand pump and bucket to take it down. I am guessing that its possible that my ice in the cooler I leave onboard to melt from weekend to weekend (2-bags) may be the culprit and that I can have a leak somewhere in that drain line or that its somehow coming from the cockpit. I do not believe I have any major leak at least from the thru-hulls. That would be apparent, especially spending time onboard for the weekends. I know this is the $64,000 question, because it opens up a huge number of possibilities, but has any other 30 owner had the same issues or identical problem? Any guesses? remedies? Gee, do I have to running dye tests in my systems? Always appreciate the feedback Thanks Bob
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Dry Bilge
When I purchased my 88 Cat30 I was obsessed with having a tight dry boat, check your foot pump....the ice is melting and leaking from there.
When I purchased my 88 Cat30 I was obsessed with having a tight dry boat, check your foot pump....the ice is melting and leaking from there.
dry bilge - stuffing box
I always have some water in my bilge of my 320. It comes from the stuffing box. Even after the engine is shut off, my stuffing box drips about one drop in 6 seconds. The manual states that this is normal. Yours may or may not be the same.
I always have some water in my bilge of my 320. It comes from the stuffing box. Even after the engine is shut off, my stuffing box drips about one drop in 6 seconds. The manual states that this is normal. Yours may or may not be the same.
Dry Bilge
I've posted this before. I have a C-30 and I had the same problems. I ordered the GOF packing from emarine .com for $15. I've had a totally dry bilge for 2 months. Why isn't every body all over this product? It was so easy to install the teflon packing that it is rediculous that I lived with water in the bilge. Sean
I've posted this before. I have a C-30 and I had the same problems. I ordered the GOF packing from emarine .com for $15. I've had a totally dry bilge for 2 months. Why isn't every body all over this product? It was so easy to install the teflon packing that it is rediculous that I lived with water in the bilge. Sean
Thanks
I will certainly take everyone's advise and check the stuffing box and the cooler drain. I have on many occasion observed the stuffing box and do not suspect that. My thoughts are the cooler pump and "T" drain connections. At least I know that I am not alone in this. Appreciate the responses fellas. Bob '88 Cat 30
I will certainly take everyone's advise and check the stuffing box and the cooler drain. I have on many occasion observed the stuffing box and do not suspect that. My thoughts are the cooler pump and "T" drain connections. At least I know that I am not alone in this. Appreciate the responses fellas. Bob '88 Cat 30
Quick test
One way to narrow down the source, if you are in salt water, is to taste the water. Fresh water could come from the ice box, leaking fresh water system (faucets, hoses, etc.) or even rain water seeping down between hull and deck. Pressurized fresh water systems will leak after you leave the boat (or release pressure when you leave). Salt water would point you to thru hulls, keel bolts, stuffing box, etc. When you have determined which area, dry completely, put on a music CD, and watch for seepage.
One way to narrow down the source, if you are in salt water, is to taste the water. Fresh water could come from the ice box, leaking fresh water system (faucets, hoses, etc.) or even rain water seeping down between hull and deck. Pressurized fresh water systems will leak after you leave the boat (or release pressure when you leave). Salt water would point you to thru hulls, keel bolts, stuffing box, etc. When you have determined which area, dry completely, put on a music CD, and watch for seepage.
is it fresh or sea water
Try taste'ing the water, it's still the best way of figuring out the type of water. On my 88 Catalina 30, rain/boat washing water can get to the bilge from the cockpit's aft lazarette locker -- it runs down the center of the boat, under the fuel tank, HW heater and trans/engine. A trick I use is to put a paper towel under the access board aft of the packing-gland 'bump' -- at the base of the gang-way/galley floor. Do you close-up the boat, wash it down and then leave (as I do). If so, and the water is fresh, you might have someone stay onboard while your doing the wash-down and look for leaks (such as the aft lazarette locker seal). Also, have you checked the anchor well drain hose/through-hull and your speed transducer. Whereas my anchor drain hose leaks stay in the front area, yours may not, and my transducer is below my v-berth, so if it leaked, it would make it to the bilge. Remember the level of water in the bilge may be representative of the bilge pump either not running during the week, or running numerous times and the level your seeing is just in-between pump cycles. Have you checked the bildge pump output through-hull to see if it is wet (evidence of previous pump runs). One other crazy thought -- are the wires from the mast which enter the bilge wet? if so, maybe water is running down the wire 'pipe' in the boat, from inside the mast -- whereas my 'pipe' sticks up 3-4 inches, and water from the mast cannot get down the 'pipe', perhaps yours does not stick-up far enough. good luck..
Try taste'ing the water, it's still the best way of figuring out the type of water. On my 88 Catalina 30, rain/boat washing water can get to the bilge from the cockpit's aft lazarette locker -- it runs down the center of the boat, under the fuel tank, HW heater and trans/engine. A trick I use is to put a paper towel under the access board aft of the packing-gland 'bump' -- at the base of the gang-way/galley floor. Do you close-up the boat, wash it down and then leave (as I do). If so, and the water is fresh, you might have someone stay onboard while your doing the wash-down and look for leaks (such as the aft lazarette locker seal). Also, have you checked the anchor well drain hose/through-hull and your speed transducer. Whereas my anchor drain hose leaks stay in the front area, yours may not, and my transducer is below my v-berth, so if it leaked, it would make it to the bilge. Remember the level of water in the bilge may be representative of the bilge pump either not running during the week, or running numerous times and the level your seeing is just in-between pump cycles. Have you checked the bildge pump output through-hull to see if it is wet (evidence of previous pump runs). One other crazy thought -- are the wires from the mast which enter the bilge wet? if so, maybe water is running down the wire 'pipe' in the boat, from inside the mast -- whereas my 'pipe' sticks up 3-4 inches, and water from the mast cannot get down the 'pipe', perhaps yours does not stick-up far enough. good luck..
Its always Fresh
Well, my location may have given me away! I keep the boat in a lake (Lanier) so I would never get to taste the salt or brackish water which would be a sure sign of problems. I agree on the cockpit drain potential. Those massive scupper drain hoses to overboard look like they have had better days, but we do not wash down every time we depart. Maybe I will place a hose into them for a sure test. Maybe its a good time to change these out. I will double check the anchor storage area drain line as well as my newly installed depth thru-hull transducer and water intake hose for the head flush. Mast wires are another issue! I hope this is handy info for all 30 owners who may suffer from the same issue. Thanks Bob
Well, my location may have given me away! I keep the boat in a lake (Lanier) so I would never get to taste the salt or brackish water which would be a sure sign of problems. I agree on the cockpit drain potential. Those massive scupper drain hoses to overboard look like they have had better days, but we do not wash down every time we depart. Maybe I will place a hose into them for a sure test. Maybe its a good time to change these out. I will double check the anchor storage area drain line as well as my newly installed depth thru-hull transducer and water intake hose for the head flush. Mast wires are another issue! I hope this is handy info for all 30 owners who may suffer from the same issue. Thanks Bob
Water in bilge
Bob: Feel around the bottom side of the stuffing box. If wet, it could be the problem. Pull the engine boards off the seatee and look at the stuffing box, from there you can tell if that's the leak. Many views on drip rate from no drips to 4 to 15 drops per minute when not in gear. My 84 C30 started dripping at about 10 drops per minute within the last month.
Bob: Feel around the bottom side of the stuffing box. If wet, it could be the problem. Pull the engine boards off the seatee and look at the stuffing box, from there you can tell if that's the leak. Many views on drip rate from no drips to 4 to 15 drops per minute when not in gear. My 84 C30 started dripping at about 10 drops per minute within the last month.
Water in Bilge
I had the same problem of water in my bilge until I stopped it. I owned a 88 C30, always had water in it. Noticed it after a rain or when I washed it. Had my wife pour water on the rear cockpit lazarette seat and cockpit. Some water came into rear seat. Most of the water came in through the floor in front of the lazarette seat(over the rudder wheel behind the edson wheel. Unscrewed the screws and pick up the floor plate, it was filled with water. The drain was clogged ( attached hose out to the rear transom). When it filled up with the rain water it leaked through the wires in the top of the basin and traveled to the bilge. I fixed the weater stripping on the lazarette seat and cleaned out the clogged drain and now have a dry bilge. Hope this helps.
I had the same problem of water in my bilge until I stopped it. I owned a 88 C30, always had water in it. Noticed it after a rain or when I washed it. Had my wife pour water on the rear cockpit lazarette seat and cockpit. Some water came into rear seat. Most of the water came in through the floor in front of the lazarette seat(over the rudder wheel behind the edson wheel. Unscrewed the screws and pick up the floor plate, it was filled with water. The drain was clogged ( attached hose out to the rear transom). When it filled up with the rain water it leaked through the wires in the top of the basin and traveled to the bilge. I fixed the weater stripping on the lazarette seat and cleaned out the clogged drain and now have a dry bilge. Hope this helps.
Thanks Larry
Larrt. Interesting discovery. I have yet to check out the area near the pedestal, but that area does make sense for weeping down into the bilge. I will certainly pursue that area as well. Thanks Bob "Breezin II"
Larrt. Interesting discovery. I have yet to check out the area near the pedestal, but that area does make sense for weeping down into the bilge. I will certainly pursue that area as well. Thanks Bob "Breezin II"
Another Possibility
I had the 'water in the bilge' problem also in my '84 C30. The manual galley foot pump developed a leak. I had checked everthing else and finally came accross it by accident as I was working on the engine and my wife decided to use the sink. You might want to check your fresh water system connections. Good luck!
I had the 'water in the bilge' problem also in my '84 C30. The manual galley foot pump developed a leak. I had checked everthing else and finally came accross it by accident as I was working on the engine and my wife decided to use the sink. You might want to check your fresh water system connections. Good luck!
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