Suspected Thru-Hull Leak

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jakez's picture
jakez
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Joined: 7/21/14
Posts: 25
Suspected Thru-Hull Leak

I've noticed water in my bilge lately - my first thought was that it was a bit of overflow from the fresh water tanks (which i've had happen in the past), mixed with some light rain and my bi monthly washdowns traveling down the mast, etc.
I use a wet dry to suck the bilge dry, when I do have some water there.  So, I almost always leave the bilge completely dry.
Today, I realized that it must be coming from elsewhere because the volume of water was up to where it must have engaged my float switch.  I hadn't been on my boat for about two weeks, so a bit of water wouldn't have alarmed me.
So, I dried it out and worked my way toward the stern drying along the way...  the furthest abaft I found any water was around the galley thru-hull.  So, I dried it out well.  About an hour later, there was a small puddle there.  I dipped my finger in and gave it a taste - salty. 
I made sure my hand was dry and felt around - the seacock seemed to be dry.  The moisture started around the thru-hull itself.  Although it could be coming from further abaft, I didn't see any evidence in the engine compartment.  So... I'm concerned that it's the thru-hull itself.
My big question is:  How urgent of a problem?  I think it's urgent because it's my boat, but maybe I'm just paranoid.  Do I have it hauled tomorrow?  Or can it wait a week or two? Secondary question is - if not terribly urgent, will sailing her put more stress on that thru-hull? (been planning a much needed cruise this weekend).  Is it best to have someone with more knowledge than I come take a look before hauling my boat out?  I am going to investigate more tomorrow -- but I'm fairly confident in my diagnosis.  Would love any insight from anyone with a similar experience...

 

Jake Z
five o'clock somewhere
2000 Catalina 36 MKII
Hull #1836

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TomSoko
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Joined: 2/15/07
Posts: 978

Jake,
If the leak is as small as you say it is, I would suggest you keep an eye on it, and continue as planned.  Not sure where you are, and if you haul out for the winter, but from the sounds of things, you are not in danger of sinking any time soon.  Get it checked the next time you haul.  Just my humble opinion.

Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT

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jakez
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Joined: 7/21/14
Posts: 25

Thanks, Tom.  I jumped the gun a bit, but will detail my experience so anyone else in the same boat (really didn't try for the pun) can potentially save themselves some time.  I went back today, and the bilge had several inches of water in it.  I pulled out the galley drawers out and dried it all, put flashlight on it and waited...  thru-hull seemed fine.  However, I noticed a small drip from a pipe (not visible unless you put your head under the sink and look aft).  It took a while but I found the pipe went to the rear of the engine compartment, so I re-checked my stuffing box.  I had noticed moisture under it, but assumed it was normal since I'd run the engine a few days ago.  I dried out the area below the box and put a piece of paper under it so I could see any drips.  That's when I realized my stuffing box was dripping quite a bit.  I tightened it up (not such an easy task)  ran the motor in gear and got it to drip a few times a minute under power and it  seems to stay dry when not.  So, hopefully I've solved that problem.

Jake Z
five o'clock somewhere
2000 Catalina 36 MKII
Hull #1836

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TomSoko
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Posts: 978

Jake,
Glad it was not a major problem, but just routine maintenance.

Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT

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