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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Water leak

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sailboat
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/30/2018 : 17:39:12

We have a 1981 SR/SK dinette version. It is moored in salt water but after heavy rains water collects in the port aft dinette compartment. I can detect no obvious leaks in the hull to deck joint or the cockpit compartments. The deck hardware also shows no obvious leaks. The leak is fresh water and not salt water. The fresh water tank remains at a constant level. It seems to collect on the starboard side along the water tank but migrates behind the companion way steps behind the galley and into the port compartment. The windows are tight. Today I pumped out two gallons so I discount condensation besides I keep an oil filled radiator on the boat to maintain about 55 degrees.

Any ideas GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

Mike
Chariots of Fire
1981 Cat-25. sail number 2230
SR/SK Dinette Version

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2018 : 04:34:36

I chased a leak for some time after a rain. It was the water tank vent and fill deck fittings.

1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth

Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.

Edited by - hewebb on 01/31/2018 04:35:15

DavidBuoy
Admiral

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USA
707 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2018 : 05:28:08

Maybe the companionway boards? When i lived right in front of where i kept my boat, I would go down and close myself in during a big rain event with a book and see if I could start spotting the leaks. There are other methods as well. I've heard spreading baby powder should leave you with a wet path that the water has taken.

Captain Rob & Admiral Alyson
"David Buoy"-1985 C25 SK/SR #5053

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2018 : 06:43:41

T-track bolts are another possibility.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

JB
Navigator

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USA
110 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2018 : 12:06:32

Are your cockpit drain hoses and clamps in good shape?

1988 C25 Wing Keel Std Rig Tohatsu 9.9 Tiller Steering and 2003 C250 Wing Keel Std Rig Inboard Diesel Wheel Steering

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2018 : 12:15:49

Your 1981 cockpit probably drains through little brass tubes that go through the transom. If so, I have heard they sometimes develop leaks. I think Catalina Direct has replacements for them. You can check them by tossing a bucket of water on them and look below and see if you see water coming in.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

Edited by - Steve Milby on 01/31/2018 12:16:45

VictorS
1st Mate

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Mexico
32 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2018 : 16:35:52

quote:
Originally posted by sailboat

I keep an oil filled radiator on the boat to maintain about 55 degrees.

Mike, may I please have a reference on that oil radiator (model, where/how did you set it up?)

Thanks,

Victor Salcedo
1978 C25. #453. FK. SR. L.
CTYK0453M78C

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2018 : 18:18:20

quote:
Originally posted by DavidBuoy

Maybe the companionway boards? When i lived right in front of where i kept my boat, I would go down and close myself in during a big rain event with a book and see if I could start spotting the leaks. There are other methods as well. I've heard spreading baby powder should leave you with a wet path that the water has taken.

When I first saw the post I also suspected the companionway boards. I have had to make a cover for my companionway boards because in a rain I get water in the galley but...
NOT two gallons. Just two big sponge fulls.
I also have a troublesome leak near the mast. I think it is the radio fitting but even that just leaks a cup or two at most.Two gallons is serious. I would search every tell tale sign of water on bulkheads and any wood near by.

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

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sailboat
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2018 : 17:10:43

Thanks for all the replies. As it was raining today (surprise, Seattle area) I shined a flashlight aft under the companionway. There was a small trickle coming from what seemed to be the middle of the dumpster. Maybe it is running from further aft of that because the dumpster itself is dry. As noted earlier windows are tight, no water noted near fresh water vent or fill line, we have a dodger and companionway cover so that is not the issue. I think I will remove the aft bunk cushions and look further aft. There just isn't that much boat to inspect.

Again thanks for all the tips.

Mike
Chariots of Fire
1981 Cat-25. sail number 2230
SR/SK Dinette Version

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2018 : 18:37:02

Good luck finding the entry point.
I'm not familiar with the term the "dumpster".
What are you referring to?

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

*

sailboat
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2018 : 21:27:45

quote:
Originally posted by Peregrine

Good luck finding the entry point.
I'm not familiar with the term the "dumpster".
What are you referring to?

The dumpster is the large cockpit locker on the port side.

Mike
Chariots of Fire
1981 Cat-25. sail number 2230
SR/SK Dinette Version

WesAllen
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2018 : 02:17:39

I am slowly fixing water leaks (5 out of 6 windows). My latest was the hinges in the fuel locker on port side. The screws went through into the dumpster. A fiberglass channel goes along the edge where the screws were and was collapsing after 36 years. Not a big problem other than they would leak water a lot more than I expected. I got inside and had a buddy spray with a hose and saw the leak real quick. Put new hinges on and relocated the screw holes. Filled old holes with epoxy. Will test next month when I get back down to Florida with the boat.

Wesley Allen
"Breaking Wind"
1982 C-25 SR/TR/SK #2773
Hemlock, MI

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2018 : 08:33:56

quote:
Originally posted by sailboat

quote:
Originally posted by Peregrine

Good luck finding the entry point.
I'm not familiar with the term the "dumpster".
What are you referring to?

The dumpster is the large cockpit locker on the port side.

Oh Ha Ha, I guess it is.

I do try to keep mine somewhat neat with milk crates.

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

*

Lee Panza
Captain

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USA
465 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2018 : 21:37:18

A rainwater leak into the dumpster (aka "sail locker") could be from any of several hardware attachments: the bases of the stanchion are a common source, especially because the side deck serves as a gutter, but there's the winch base, several cleats, and possibly an AC connection jack. But I found that the large cowlings for ventilating the aft bilge areas (including the dumpster) are a significant source of intrusion. Someone here had created a dam across the lower portion of the opening on the forward-facing cowling to prevent water on the deck surface from entering.

But finding a rainwater leak can be at least as vexing as it is in a building, and as a former building contractor I can tell you that water leaks can be the bane of any contractor.

Maybe you could do something like Rob did, lowering yourself into the dumpster during a rainstorm and watch.

Ok, maybe not such a good idea...

Good luck!

The trouble with a destination - any destination, really - is that it interrupts The Journey.

Lee Panza
SR/SK #2134
San Francisco Bay
(Brisbane, CA)

Boomeroo
Navigator

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Australia
128 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2018 : 04:47:56

There are so any places for leaks to occur and with the liners so much distortion on were they pool .
Chalk lines will show where water runs from on flat surfaces it dissolves the chalk line where it crosses . then a few small sponges to fit between the liner and deck on each side of deck fittings etc will give a guide .they stay wet for a while and also can redirect the water to the inside of the liner were chalk identifies it.
Best of luck.

Graeme Bishop boomeroo Australia
C25 SK

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2018 : 08:47:45

There's a foam tape liner around the opening of the sail locker. What does that look like?

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2018 : 11:51:21

Foam tape?? Not on my boat. Could be somebody put that there or mine is missing.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2018 : 14:37:25

I am envious that your 81 has dry windows... I've had to rebed mine twice in the past ten years and still need crack filler inbetween rebedding sessions...

Jerry

sailboat
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2018 : 16:39:05

Again thanks for all the tips. The hull liner makes pinpointing the intrusion really difficult but the aft transom scuppers could be a problem. Since I leave the swing keel down all the time the boat is slightly down by the bow and water tends to pool in the cockpit so those scupper/drains could be an issue. I have wedged myself in the dumpster while raining and saw no leaks.

Mike
Chariots of Fire
1981 Cat-25. sail number 2230
SR/SK Dinette Version

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