Water in bilge and maybe keel

[albertjizhang]

Hey guys.

So I bought a Dufour 35, and I found there is oil and water in the bilge. I tried to pump most of it out, but due to having oil in the bilge I can’t really see the bottom of the bilge. The keel is encapsulated and I suspect there is water. Is there anyway I can tell for sure? I don’t wanna just drill away just yet haha.

[AKA-None]

I’m sorry but you pumped the oil and water out where? Hopefully not into the water

At any rate pump it or bail it into a bucket and wipe the rest out until you can see what’s going on

[gonesail]

pump the bilge clean and dry. find out where the water is coming in and how fast. it could be that it came from the prop shaft gland. also it would be a good idea to find out where the oil came from.

[tkeithlu]

Once you get it dry, I recommend that you stuff/tape dry paper towels in all the likely places for water to come in. Come back later and you can track down a slow leak.

[sinnerman]

Often bilge water comes from outside rain water leaks (windows, loose deck fittings).

I would be more concerned with the oil...

cheers

[Rohan]

Originally Posted by sinnerman

Often bilge water comes from outside rain water leaks (windows, loose deck fittings).

I would be more concerned with the oil...

Amen to that. Water in the bilge can come down the mast or from the stuffing box while under motor, which is perfectly normal. But oil? Let's hope someone just spilled some and didn't clean it up. How much oil are we talking about? You can use dishwashing detergent to break it up and make it easier to remove.

[JPA Cate]

Is it an iron or lead encapsulated keel? If iron, it is VERY important to let all the water out and stabilize the condition, before rust expansion makes a hole in the keel.

The oil problem also needs following up on, but sounds so far as if it is a slow leak, or one that leaks when the engine is running. If the latter, the source will not be difficult to find. However, if you give the engine a good clean, and check the oil for water before you start it -- don't start if water's in the oil-- you'll be positioned to figure out how to approach the two situations.

Ann

[lauriel]

It took me ages to find final cause of water in my bilge was from split in moulded plasic drinking water tank which only leaked when boat rocked from side to side when tacking. That was after more common problems allowing fresh water ingress were eliminated.

[Cheechako]

Oil often looks like a lot, but it floats on water and often isnt much at all. Get some oil absorbent pads and get the oil out of there.
I didn't know Dufour had any boats with encapulated keels.
There are many potential sources for water in the bilge, you may not necessarily have water in the keel.
Rain leaks.
Dripping stuffing box.
Water tank.
Anchor locker that drains to the bilge.