Steel boat on the hard with fluid in the bilge

[desertsailor]

While looking for a boat to purchase I came across a steel hulled 38' sailing vessel that has been on the hard for about a year. While inspecting its innards found a mixture of water and oil in the bilge, about a couple of inches deep. The boat seemed well covered prior to entry, with no obvious openings for water to enter the vessel. Any ideas how water could gain entry, or is the water accumulation possible in a humid climate? The vessel is located in Baja California.



Thanks in advance for your considered input.

[hpeer]

Steel boats are usually very dry. None the less water can creep in and I’ve had issues with that, mostly related to melting snow.

Is it a deck stepped mast?
Are the stanchions welded?
How about any batches, are the rims in good shape?
Etc.

With 2 steel boats I’ve welded over every possible water entry point I can find.

But then the steaming light cable would suck up water in a particular direction and route that inside the boat. That one took a while to find.

[psk125]

Condensation? In a steel boat, where there’s water, there’s rust.

[desertsailor]

Replying to hpeer: It is a deck stepped mast, and I believe the stanchions are welded. Because of the amount of fluid found in the bilge of this steel boat I was concerned about rust, hence the question posed to this forum.Thanks for the responses from hpeer and psk125.

[hpeer]

Water in the bilge may of may not be a problem. If the bilge was properly coated and maintained then it should be able to tolerate the water. It’s not a good thing but by no means a deal killer.

Deck stepped mast is good for water tight integrity but you can still get water through the cable jacket.

A through survey would require the water to be completely removed and the area cleaned. IMHO when buying a steel boat you really need to do your own personal hull survey in addition to what ever other survey you have. I can pontificate more if you desire.