A Mystery Leak / looking for ideas

[zeehag]

when i was sailing gom in a friends boat we had a problem with ingress if water from unknown source, salt. we thought it was from astern--transom, packing gland, whatall and did alladat---we worked our way forward seeking this leaking mayhem and found it -- anchor locker had a system of rerouting water from it to out of the boat via a hole in bow that system
had leakage problems. water didnt come into main bilge for a couple of hours after each adventure.
donot rule out anything forward on boat just because it happens after motoring---you will move more water when motoring than when sailing, under normal day sailing conditions. the water taking that length of time to travel to pump is telling you to look not immediately around engine or main bilge area for theproblem.

[neilpride]

Zee? are you drunk?

[capttman]

I put this forth for your consideration. When your boat goes forward it squarts in the water at the stern faster you go more of a squart. Under power a sail boat really squarts. This causes increased pressure on the packing gland of your rudder shaft. Increased pressure causes water to flow in. When you slow or stop the pressure relaxes and leakage stops and the only thing you see is a moist area around your rudder post. Try putting a towel around the post sail hard or power hard and see how wet it gets..

[AbaftAndBaffled]

I was going to suggest what ranger said, put a ring of baby powder or flour or some other powdery substance around your bilge. When it leaks next, you'll see the streaks from the water and have a better idea where it's coming from.

Of course, that's assuming the water is coming in from above. *cue ominous music*

[J_m]

It may not be obvious if you have a check valve on the bilge pump. On my Johnson it installs by default as part of the output before you put the hose on. You would have to remove the output hose to see if it is there (I do to clean it every year). It would explain why you see no evidence of a leak elsewhere.

[LeaseOnLife]

Originally Posted by neilpride

Zee? are you drunk?

just too much snake.. http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ie-110293.html

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by neilpride

Zee? are you drunk?

only on alternate mondays when moon is actually blue


like that bottle---coool..woulda loved to have got that silly lil snapper into a jar......

[SV Sea Monkey]

Originally Posted by AbaftAndBaffled

I was going to suggest what ranger said, put a ring of baby powder or flour or some other powdery substance around your bilge.

Isn't that what these guys did? I wonder if they found their leak...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tu-109908.html

[Sandero]

I am assuming that it was determined that the water was salt water. It seems to be associated with making way under power. Does the problem manifest when you are ONLY sailing? You have checked all the obvious places underway while steaming?

Where is the bilge pump located? Is the anchor locker completely isolated? Are there any ports which could leak? Does the bilge pump have a check valve? Could there be a siphon action drawing water in via the bilge pump? Do you have a salt water pump in the galley? Could it have a leak somewhere? Are there any bilges with limber holes which fill when heeled or motoring which then drain when you level out?

[PlumBob]

We're heading up to the boat today. I'll let you know what we find.

Defjef, the bilge pump is up high, above the waterline in a cockpit locker. We are in a large freshwater lake.

AGAIN, THANKS TO ALL!

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by PlumBob

I don't think I have a check valve in the bilge pump hose - not absolutely sure - but I've looked over that entire line and I don't think there is anything between the outlet on the transom and the pump itself. There is a strainer on the inlet side - it's dry.

Same thing with the propane locker - I've looked it over, but not with a microscope. I guess I will have to.

The anchor locker, I believe, can be counted out. It drains to an under-floor "raceway" that goes the entire length of the boat, bow to stern, and water from the anchor locker flows down this to the bilge. This raceway is dry. That said, it is accessible in several places, so I will drop some flour in and watch for runs. Leaks at the deck-to-hull joints, stanchions, chain plates, etc. would drain to this raceway, too.

So I guess that really does bring me to leaks that happen under pressure - presumably from heat. So I'll lay there flashlight in hand, both under way and after, and see what I see... Oh My.

Great responses - Thank You All.....

Other thoughts?

PB

We had a similar problem that proved to be a small crack in the exhaust hose in the vicinity of the water-lift muffler. Replacing the hose finally corrected that but also revealed a pin-hole leak in a welded seam of the muffler that also contributed. Good luck...

[sartorst]

Talc or baby powder is good for tracing leaks, not corrosive wont atract bugs smells good!and is in a container that helps spread it easily

[Sandero]

Engine cooling system leak? Overflow reservoir?

Does leak occur when you run the motor at anchor or mooring... no heel?

Does it occur when motoring flat?

Does it only occur when heeled?

[Paul Lefebvre]

I would check the raw water pump on the engine to see if the seals are leaking while motoring.

Good luck

[PlumBob]

At boat now. Now have a considerable leak at the stern tube-cutlass bearing-rubber hose-packing gland area. A friend (with many more years experience than myself) coming down to take a look in a few minutes. Ughhhhhh