2 Problems in my Leopard 38

[ak5609]

HI THERE. I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A LEOPARD 38 from 2000 AND AM
NOW EXPLORING ALL THE GOODIES THE PREVIOUS OWNER DECIDED TO KEEP A SECRET. I HOPE SOMEBODY CAN HELP ME WITH ADVICE.

FIRST, ONE TOILETTE IS FLUSHING BY ITSELF, LITTLE BY LITTLE. I CAN ONLY STOP THE WATER BY TURNING OFF THE MAIN TOILETTE DISCHARGE PORTSIDE.

SECOND, THE BILGE PUMP PORTSIDE IS LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND MOSTLY THERE IS NOT MUCH WATER, BUT THE REAR PART OF THE HULL HAS WATER, AND THAT WATER WILL NOT BE SUCKED OUT BY THAT BILGE PUMP. AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AT LEAST 5 GALLONS OF WATER, WHICH I AM CARRYING AROUND ALL THE TIME. I ALSO ASKED MYSELF "WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?"
I HAD THE IMPRESSION, THAT PART OF THE WATER THE BILGE PUMP PUMPS OUT IS RIGHT AWAY COMING BACK.

IT WOULD BE HELPFUL, IF ANY ADVICE CAN BE SUPPORTED BY A LINK SOURCE, SO I CAN READ AND STUDY THE STRUCTURE OF MY LEO, A WONDERFUL BOAT OVERALL.

[JohnT]

Join the Leopard cat group on Yahoo Groups - all the answers will be found there, together with documentation and tips and tricks.

[atoll]

if you are running refrigeration or airconditioners these create water/ condensation on the compressors, the run off is diverted to the bilge

[dlymn]

Taste the water. Salt water coming from outside (if at sea). dry the bilge and draw many lines with chalk or sprinkle talcum powder. Wait for say one day while in port. You will see a line where the water is coming from . Do this back to the source. Some places : stuffing box, refrigerator drain, hot water service drain, engine water pump, crack in water tank, a/c drain, though hull and pipes, keel bolts, blocked anti-siphon valve drain.

[duefocena]

Congratulations on your cat ! Bonus salt water in the bilge might be leaking shaft glands. ( " at least 5 gallons" ) is more than condensation from refrig/air con unless ignored for a while.
Not familiar with sail drives but sometimes even dripless will start dripping at higher rpm. Suggest replace them regardless.

[a64pilot]

If those are your problems on a 16 yr old boat, you got one heck of a good boat Those are just normal boat things in my mind. I've learned to never fix everything, your inviting disaster, always leave a few things broken to appease the Gods

[lindabarzini]

Possible issue with head.

The rubber and plastic gaskets get destroyed by salt water in toilets. They make pretty inexpensive replacement kits that provide all new rubber and plastic parts.

[rabbi]

Originally Posted by lindabarzini

Possible issue with head.

The rubber and plastic gaskets get destroyed by salt water in toilets. They make pretty inexpensive replacement kits that provide all new rubber and plastic parts.

I always bought a new pump assembly for not much more than just the maintenance kit.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by ak5609

THE BILGE PUMP PORTSIDE IS LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND MOSTLY THERE IS NOT MUCH WATER, BUT THE REAR PART OF THE HULL HAS WATER, AND THAT WATER WILL NOT BE SUCKED OUT BY THAT BILGE PUMP. AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AT LEAST 5 GALLONS OF WATER, WHICH I AM CARRYING AROUND ALL THE TIME. I ALSO ASKED MYSELF "WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?"
I HAD THE IMPRESSION, THAT PART OF THE WATER THE BILGE PUMP PUMPS OUT IS RIGHT AWAY COMING BACK.

There should be two electric bilge pumps in each hull - one near the keel and one in the engene compartment. If the water comes back immediatly after the pump has switched off, then it sounds like your non-return valve needs replacing. John.