Mystery leak (Long read)

[Harrison]

Greetings everyone. I’d like to share my latest find.

Weather has finally turned decent here in Colorado, so we decided to de-winterize the boat and put her on the lake. We took her home from the local RV storage lot to clean her up and prep for the season. I opened up the companionway, to find about 1.5 inches of water inside! Also noticed water (damp) along the port side lip that runs the whole length of the boat under the windows, and under the cushion’s of the V berth. The rear berth cushion’s and under the berth were dry. I immediately thought of the chain plates. Anyway, after a thorough wet-dry vacuum treatment and plenty of towels I was ready to find the leak. My son sprayed the garden hose over various places on the deck while I looked around for leaks inside. After about 10 minutes, nothing! My next thought was “possibly” the companionway cover was not put back correctly. Then it happened. . . . . water pouring down the port side wall at the V berth. My next course of action was to remove the liner above the V berth to assess where the leak was. But, I couldn’t find out how to do that! It was all glassed together. We pulled the plastic frame from around the hatch, only to find the liner glassed to the deck, solid. The only thing left was the drain in the anchor locker. I got on my back in the V berth and slightly pressed up on the liner, and with every slight push on it, water poured down the wall. The liner was completely full of water! I drilled a ¼” hole on the port side of the liner, and with a bucket, drained the (almost 2 gal) water out. Taking a chance, I measured twice, and cut a 4” hole (hole saw) under the location of the locker drain. I removed the soaked foam from the hole and whalla. . . . mystery solved! The hose from the anchor locker drain to the starboard drain was completely off. Unable to re-attach and seal the line with only 4” of access, I had to cut another 4” hole along side the other one. Now I can work, and see what I’m doing. Gooped it up, re-tightened the hose clamp, and we’re back in business! I debated putting a cover over the holes, but they’re tough to see unless you’re upside down in the berth. Also, I think periodic checking of the drain will give me piece of mind.

[DaveC426913]

There's hose connections in there??? That's so bad for maintenance.


I would be very interested to check this myself.

Where exactly did you push up on the liner?
Where exactly did you drill the 1/4" hole?

[Harrison]

There's hose connections in there??? That's so bad for maintenance.


I would be very interested to check this myself.

Where exactly did you push up on the liner?
Where exactly did you drill the 1/4" hole?

I'll try and take some pics this weekend.

[Harrison]

There's hose connections in there??? That's so bad for maintenance.


I would be very interested to check this myself.

Where exactly did you push up on the liner?
Where exactly did you drill the 1/4" hole?

This is where I pushed:


This is the location of the 1/4 hole:


This is the location of the two 4" holes. My son's hands are in them.


Another view of the 4" holes. This is looking starboard:


Here is the source of the leak. This is on the starboard side looking aft:

[Jimmyt]

Thanks for posting this. Mine doesn't leak, but I wanted to know how it was made - just in case.

[DaveC426913]

Thanks! I'm gonna check this out.

I occasionally find mystery bilge water.