Fun Game: Where's the Water Coming From?

[nickfox45]

Last weekend I started the process of winterizing my Catalina 25 (another story in itself) and when I looked in the compartment that holds the graywater tank, I was surprised to find about 8-10 gallons of water that I wasn't expecting.

Because it was pooled around a thru-hull, I assumed that connection was leaking (and freaked out), but after scooping/sponging all the water out, I noticed water flowing into that area from further forward. I followed this trail to compartment below the V-berth, where I found about a half gallon of water that gravity hadn't pulled south yet.

Lying flat and looking up the hull, I could see a tiny trickle of water coming down the very center where the two halves meet. So now my theory is that the 8-10 gallons has been very slowly accumulating all summer, unbeknownst to me. But I have no idea how that water is getting in. Thoughts?

The only things above that section are the anchor locker (which seems sealed and unable to leak below, but I could be wrong on that) and the pulpit, but the seals around its base look good to me. What would be your course of action to find and fix this mystery leak?

[Tayana42]

Nick, can you post photos of the area you suspect the water is coming from. From your description I would first suspect the anchor locker. Does it have a drain? Is there a hose connecting the drain to a through hull fitting? Can you run some water into the anchor locker with a hose to test if that is the source of the leak? I'm sure someone with Catalina experience will come along soon with better answers.


S/V B'Shert

[nickfox45]

I had a picture at one point, but can't find it now. Will try to get an updated one this weekend.

The anchor locker does have a drain to a small hole outside the boat below the pulpit, but I never considered that might be a hose rather than a hole drilled in a sealed chunk of fiberglass. I like the hose idea, I'll give that a shot.

[MarkJ]

Get some food due for. The supermarket cake making section. A couple of colours.
Put some in each suspect area
And

Wait.

[alctel]

Finding where the water is coming from is probably my least favourite game.

Good luck!

[jongleur]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Get some food due for. The supermarket cake making section. A couple of colours.
Put some in each suspect area
And

Wait.

I'll translate from the Australianese/iphone post:

Go buy some dye from the grocery store
baking aisle.
Get some different colors.
Place a drop or two of different colors
into each suspected, (not at the same time)
place where water might migrate down.
Then sit and watch for that color to come
through.

You're welcome...

[Lepke]

My experience is mostly wood, but... water travels well. In a commercial boat, I chased a small drip in the fos'cle to the flying bridge. It traveled thru ceilings, along beams and was 20' away from the entry point.
The food dye is a good idea. I wish I had thought of it.

[OutOfControl]

Originally Posted by jongleur

I'll translate from the Australianese/iphone post:

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by jongleur

I'll translate from the Australianese/iphone post:

Go buy some dye from the grocery store
baking aisle.
Get some different colors.
Place a drop or two of different colors
into each suspected, (not at the same time)
place where water might migrate down.
Then sit and watch for that color to come
through.

You're welcome...

Damn forigners.

I used the whole bottle of food dye. My bilges now look like a children's birthday cake...

Ps anyone got a spell checker for Android that actually works?

[goat]

Does the water taste like salt, fresh, or sewage?

Sent from my SGH-I257M using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[JPA Cate]

goat, he said ''grey"water, not "black water." Forgive me, but do you think tasting it is a good idea? either way?

What does sewage taste like? One can wonder, but I'm not sure I'd go that far.

Ann

PS, you can check for salt water by putting some on a saucer in the hot sun. The salt will be left behind as the water evaporates. No salt left would indicate fresh. Dirt left would be from the grey water..

Ann

[Rainh2o2]

I have a catalina 25 as well. Don't forget the winch connection point or loop if you have one. I noticed mine looks like it is starting to get loose or pull through and is on my list of things to remove and rebed, maybe even put a backer plate on.

Sent from my SM-T320 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[jrbogie]

grey water tank in a sailboat? and a 25 footer at that? i had a grey water tank in my rv for drainage from the shower and sinks but that all goes straight to through hulls into the ocean in my lancer 36.

[Sailing55]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Damn forigners.

I used the whole bottle of food dye. My bilges now look like a children's birthday cake...

Ps anyone got a spell checker for Android that actually works?

I found the two most important phrases in the Australian language to be: G'day mate, I'll have a VB; and a close second: My shout mate!
Those two statements will bridge the language barrier and make many friends!

[goat]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

goat, he said ''grey"water, not "black water." Forgive me, but do you think tasting it is a good idea? either way?

What does sewage taste like? One can wonder, but I'm not sure I'd go that far.

Ann

PS, you can check for salt water by putting some on a saucer in the hot sun. The salt will be left behind as the water evaporates. No salt left would indicate fresh. Dirt left would be from the grey water..

Ann

Meant as kind of a joke, but more to rule out rain water from his anchor locker above or an unseen seawater drip. I will admit I was reading the OP on my phone, without reading glasses, on a bumpy bus ride and thought he said it was coming from near his grey water tank.

PS; I would assume sewage would taste bad. Really bad.

goat