Water in the boat.

[Ivan Horvat]

On November 17, I took the boat out of the water.

Today I came to check and found water in the boat.
There is water in the bilge of the bow, the carpets are wet, the steps are wet, there is water in the aft cabin.
After a little investigation, it turned out that water was coming from the locker, but how did it get there if I had a tent on the boat.

There have been heavy rains over the last week.

[Ivan Horvat]

Several questions
1. How does water penetrate the locker?
2. Should I force the boat to dry or let it dry on its own?
3. How to look for a leak?

[mmwjr]

I believe pictures 4-8 are of the foot board area of the midberth and the last picture is of two aftermarket locker doors directly above that area. I suspect these are leaking into the cavity above the access panel above the footboard. Who ever installed these didn’t do a proper job sealing them. You’ll need to remove them, inspect for where the water is intruding and reseal.

[Maxumise]

Do make sure there is proper ventilation and make sure the water is gone as quick as possible. Mold wil come and very quickly.

[Ivan Horvat]

I don't understand how there can be so much water in a closed boat...

Today I bought a portable heater and tomorrow I will go dry the boat.
Ventilation is good, but if there is so much water in a closed boat, what will happen if I open the windows and door???

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Ivan Horvat

I don't understand how there can be so much water in a closed boat...

Today I bought a portable heater and tomorrow I will go dry the boat.
Ventilation is good, but if there is so much water in a closed boat, what will happen if I open the windows and door???

Try using a hose and wet small areas at a time to see if you can locate where the water is entering. Best if you can have someone inside looking while you wet the areas.

[Ivan Horvat]

Upd.
The water flows as follows. Currently fixed with duct tape.
The reason is an old, leaky tent and a loose fit of the locker cover, which I will fix later.

But the water is still flowing somewhere, these are the photos of the engine compartment with a difference of one hour.
It has been raining for 24 hours already.

[mmwjr]

Not uncommon to have canvas leak at spots when it gets older. Doesn’t look like who ever installed those lockers did a good job.

[geoffm70]

Those hatches, that's obvious fix/source of one leak, but try and not do what i did. When I was looking for my top deck leak, I used some dye in a 5 gallon spray tank and did little areas. Yes I found the leak (3200scr, drink holder screw by sun pad), but then had the stain mess to clean up which took great effort. Thankfully, starting the search from the highest point, I caught mine fairly quick, but then the mess was in my direct line of sight!

[Ivan Horvat]

Thanks gents.

One more question, there is a pipe in the engine compartment that goes somewhere. Who knows where it ends and what connects it?

[mmwjr]

I believe it goes stops under the fuel tank so that cavity can drain I know it doesn’t connect to the forward bilge.

[Mr Hemi]

I would use a shop vac before trying to dry it out.
It will make drying much easier, and it will get rid of most of the water.

In your last picture I see you have a thru-hull coming up from the bottom of the boat.
If it gets knocked open your boat will sink i think.

My Thru-Hull is the same, and when i climb into the engine bay, I sometimes catch it on my pant leg and move the valve to open.
Not a problem on land, but on the water not so much.
Maybe its not a concern, maybe its just me.
Opinions???

[geoffm70]

That valve is open so it must be on land. Hope it gets reconnected or closed before going back in!

[mmwjr]

Good catch guys. That is the value for the head and it looks like its hose is right there. It may have been removed to winterize but should have been reinstalled when done.

[Ivan Horvat]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

I believe it goes stops under the fuel tank so that cavity can drain I know it doesn’t connect to the forward bilge.

Water pours out of this pipe, which goes under the fuel tank. And somehow the water gets there. The question is - how?
I was on the boat on Thursday and completely dried out the bilge, tomorrow I will check if there is water in it and how much.

[Ivan Horvat]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Good catch guys. That is the value for the head and it looks like its hose is right there. It may have been removed to winterize but should have been reinstalled when done.

The seacock is stuck. And I'm going to replace it, so you can see with the hose removed.
I haven't decided yet whether to install bronze or plastic seacock.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Ivan Horvat

The seacock is stuck. And I'm going to replace it, so you can see with the hose removed.
I haven't decided yet whether to install bronze or plastic seacock.

No plastic below the water line for me.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Ivan Horvat

Water pours out of this pipe, which goes under the fuel tank. And somehow the water gets there. The question is - how?
I was on the boat on Thursday and completely dried out the bilge, tomorrow I will check if there is water in it and how much.

Most likely the water that’s leaking at those lockers is the source as that cavity leads right to the bilge under the tank.

[Ivan Horvat]

No doubt.
I have water in the bilge.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Ivan Horvat

Thanks gents.

One more question, there is a pipe in the engine compartment that goes somewhere. Who knows where it ends and what connects it?

I agree with mmwjr. Those pipes allow water to flow between bilge compartments through the stringers and ribs, eventually ending up at your bilge pumps. You'll see them everywhere from the bow to the transom.