Water in bilge

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jacktrail
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Water in bilge

I was inspecting a Catalina 36 (1985 i think) and lifted the panel underneath the table and there was water in the bilge area.  As I am new to sailboats of this size, I was shocked.  SO I found on a another forum somewhere that it is common to have water in the bilge?  Why?  Wouldn't this grow mildew/stagnate and smell?

We are not talking about a few drops here.  It was like a full finger deep.

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benethridge
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Yes, that is quite common and difficult to stop.  It is possible to keep a dry bilge. MaineSail and I (and probably others) have managed to do it, but it's not easy to set up.  See threads on it from about a year ago for details.

I spend a lot of time just trying to outsmart water, but then I just read Fatty Goodlander's book "Buy, Outfit and Sail" and it is difficult even for him.

Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263

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Channel Islander
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Posts: 378

Normal to have a little water in the bilge. You may get some drips from your prop shaft packing gland, and you may get some rain water/condensation down the mast, and your fridge may drain into the bilge.

Search the Tech Articles for a write-up by Tom Sokoloski on installing a main bilge pump and then a second, smaller one with a short hose to a vented loop to stop the back flow from your pump after it shuts off.

Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA

pierview
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You don't mention if its a furling main but if it is they are notorious for having water come down the mast slot.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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Chachere
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[quote=jacktrail]I was inspecting a Catalina 36 (1985 i think) and lifted the panel underneath the table and there was water in the bilge area.  As I am new to sailboats of this size, I was shocked. ...[/quote]

I'd be shocked if ours was ever dry -- it never has been yet (even after we modified by adding Tom Soko's 2 pump system).  Indeed, we probably looked at more than a dozen C36s when we were shopping for one, and not one of them had a dry bilge. Between rainwater from the mast, drips from the packing gland on the prop shaft, and what have you, even if we sponge it dry it wont last long.

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

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newguy
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Most of our bilge water comes from the mast.  When we leave the boat for the week, sponge the bilge, half a capful of bleach goes in the forward chamber, half a capful of bleach goes into the shower sump, and a fresh water flush of the toilet.  No bad smells, even after weeks of being closed up.

Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor

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andreshs1
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Posts: 100

Hello all

On the subject of water in the bilge

Last Saturday I had to use the motor for just over 4 hours and when I checked the bilge I had a few litters of water. I looked around the engine compartment but could not trace the source.

Any tips??

Regards
Andres

Andres & Arantzazu
S/V "Carpe Diem"
Hull: 1773
1999 C36 mkII
Hong Kong
http://www.abclubhk.com/

pierview
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Try checking the heat exchanger fittings. if they are at all loose, you'll get leakage. If they are tight, check to see if the exchanger itself has a leak somewhere.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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Chachere
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Did you check the prop shaft packing while the engine is in gear (carefully)?

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

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andreshs1
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hi

I have not checked with the engine on, but a basic inspection after turning off the engine did not show much water if any around the engine area.

to check if the heat exchanger leaks having the engine on is enough? or needs to be in gear?

Thanks

Andres & Arantzazu
S/V "Carpe Diem"
Hull: 1773
1999 C36 mkII
Hong Kong
http://www.abclubhk.com/

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clennox
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Posts: 212

I ran a test the other day. Dried out bilge. Ran all fresh water tanks out. Went for 2/3 hour sail. Bilge dry still after one week.
At least I found the water is coming from my fresh water system. I'm going to fill one tank at a time and see what happens.
Thinking putting food coloring in the water tank? Someday I will find the source of my bilge water.

Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611

jhenderson
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Posts: 81

I would worry if my bilge were bone dry. The packing gland on the shaft is meant to drip, so the packing material doesn't dry out. 

Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually. 

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benethridge
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I worry whenever my bilge is NOT bone dry, since my stainless steel keel bolts are standing in anaerobic saltwater, a perfect setup for their corrosion.

Granted that this is somewhat of a conundrum, unless you have a dripless shaft seal of one flavor or another.

Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263

ScottishDuncan
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Posts: 55

I agree with Ben. Who wants their keel bolts sitting in salt water or fresh water? I am going to great lengths to cure all the various leak sources and I thank Ben for info in other posts concerning tracking these down. I have found and sealed/repaired several leaks.

Duncan McNeill
1984 Catalina 36 #178
standard rig fin keel M25
Channel Islands

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andreshs1
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Thanks guys Found my water leak or should I say 'torrent'

replacing the raw water pump now, it is totally ruined...

regards

Andres & Arantzazu
S/V "Carpe Diem"
Hull: 1773
1999 C36 mkII
Hong Kong
http://www.abclubhk.com/

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pkeyser
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Regarding corrosion of stainless keel bolts- I replaced the top 3/4" layer of marine plywood keel stub on our 1986 C 30- as it had become soft where the bilge pump was screwed into it. When I chipped out the plywood ( a horrible job) and got a good view of the portion of keel boats that had been hidden by the plywood- there was absolutely no corrosion observed on any of the bolts...after 20+ years of exposure to salt and brackish water sitting in the bilge. I had used a polysulfide sealant around the bolts and washers throughout our ownership. Wished I had done the same with the bilge pump screws

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

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benethridge
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That is very interesting, Paul.  Gives me some hope that I may dodge that expensive bullet too. :-)

I wonder why though, since theoretically, they should have all been quite corroded, yes?

Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263

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pkeyser
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Applying sealant prevents salt water from entering crevices, eliminating that form of corrosion. The exposed bolts have plenty of exposure to oxygenated salt water so no corrosion takes place on the surfaces that you can see. However, in tiny crevices, the oxygen gets used up in a chemical reaction and can't be readily replaced so corrosion sets in. Oxygen starvation initiates the process- which is counter intuitive unless you have a  good chemistry understanding (which I don't). So sealant should be applied around the washer where it contacts the bilge floor, around the bolt base where it is contact with the washer, and on top of the bolt where the stud exits it. If the bolts are ever re-torqued- add some additional sealant. 

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

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pkeyser
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I was half asleep when I added the above comment. Meant to say "nut" where I said "bolt"

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

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EUREKA
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Posts: 115

Well, here is my experience, I have my c36 mk I since new back in 1991. Well since some time, when heavy rains occurs I found a lot of fresh water in the bilge. Previously the amount of water was by far less than now.  Things done so far, boat is equipped with a pss, and no water is coming from the engine heat exchanger... It only occurs when rains. Never when we sail and waves wash the deck. There is no fresh water tanks leaks, also tested. The draw below the front cabin is dry, so no water enters through that area. The stanchion on the toilet that goes trough the deck for vent, has been sealed again. The mast was removed last fall for painting. It looks at least for me that this important amount of water can not come all from the mast. Lewmar hatches have been check and sealed...honestly I do not know what else can I check. And more amazing, whe washing the deck with fresh water....nothing appears in the bilge. Might by we have some witches around the Mediterranean sea. Any suggestion is most welcome. Best regards

Eladio Vallina

C-36 TR EUREKA II
Hull 1122 (1991)
Home port Barcelona (Spain).

William Miller
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Posts: 294

Mine gets water in when it rains and I can see it comes down the inside of the mast because there is a weep hole near the bottom where it goes into the bilge

Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1

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clennox
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Posts: 212

Eladio
I know you said you tested the water tanks. Did you fill them to over full? A lot of tanks have been found to leak around the large inspection ports when tanks are super full.

Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611

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EUREKA
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Posts: 115

Thanks Bill & Chuck for your comments. Yes I also noticed the problem of the water tanks leaking when overfilling. But my case is that I only found fresh water in the bilge when heavy rains occurs. I had exchange email with Kent, now at Catalina direct, and as always extremely kind, he gave me some topics to check. Unfortunately all have been verified with no findings. I suspect one of the main cabin lewmar hatches. I will continue with my hunting and post eny finding. Best regards,

Eladio Vallina

C-36 TR EUREKA II
Hull 1122 (1991)
Home port Barcelona (Spain).

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