On my '83 C36, starboard side, rear settee. Two batteries in boxes underneath, sitting in what appears to be an original glassed in pan. But there is space under that pan, and I found water laying in that space. Here's the question: Where'd the water come from? That space is a three-sided box, fore, aft, inboard, outboard it's just the hull itself. The inner liner is completely glassed to the hull. Same for the space in the forward settee. And, why such a completely closed off area, no drain hole to bilge? Which brings me trying to figure out how to get a drain hole into it.
That area could literally fill up with water (of course a lot of water would have to get in, not likely,m but still, it seems a major design flaw. Think about however the little water got in, and them lots more, literally drowning the batteries. Not a pretty scene.
Anyone else have this experience? How'd you get drain holes, Take up the main sole to get to it? And where is the water likely coming from anyway?
Dan
Tao
C36 Mk I
S/V Tao
Catalina 36
1983, Hull #114
Dan,
I have hull 226 and while I don't know with 100 % certainty I don't recall Any liner in that area nor under the forward settee, just glass, my boat did not come with a built in battery box, is it possible that I was added in by a PO?
As for the water take your pick it can come from almost anywhere on that side of the boat. It will take the path go least resistance and can come from anywhere you can check your stanchion bases for signs of leaking you ca remove the false panel above the cabinets an shelving. There are held on be tiny screws that are hard to get at, at best. Once removed you should be able to see if there is any evidence off water damage. But it may not be coming from there that is just a guess. Good hunting!
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
I would think that your water if it is water is more than likely from a stanchon or the genoa outer or inner for this location. As tated it could run from just about anywhere but I would check that first.
Now the battery box helps contain any acid that may spill from the batteries. Not sure it would be completely fool proof though and I would not want battery acid flowing to the bilge.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Dan,
I had the same water in my hull #659. I'm pretty sure the water got there from the bilge, when heeled over on a port tack, and it did not come from above. Water would flow from the bilge, under the drawers, and into the hole that the battery cables go through. Not sure there is a solution, except to keep the bilge as dry as possible. You could drill a hole in the aft inboard corner of the compartment, but you would be letting water both in and out, depending on your tack. I just lived with it, and once a season would get the water out with a sponge or turkey baster. Another possibility is to stuff plumbers putty around the battery cables where they enter the compartment. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
We had the same symptoms Tom described (water in that area only after long Port tacks) and on his helpful advice shared on this forum a year ago or so we caulked the holes where the battery and other cables enter that area. Problem seems to have abated.
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