That little hole at the base of the step

[adrian.oliver]

I know this has been covered before but I cannot find it at present. We came home and contacted the PO as we had water from this little hole and wet carpets (97x). I thought it was probably bilge water and that the bilge pump may not be working. He was not so sure however - I hope it could not be ballast water!
Definitive answer, please.
Many thanks.

[craiglaforce]

THat hole is there to let you know that the bilge is full of water. The boat does not come standard with a bilge pump. If you add one, there are at least 2 places that would need pumps, since the bottom is compartmentalized and there is no common drain sump location. Check for leaks quickly, that is a lot of water in the bilge to get to the little hole.

If you do a search on bilge pump and also on "leaks" you will find at least a hundred posts on the subject, and probably a dozen posts from me about my adventures finding all the leaks on mine. (Rather than retype them all).

I would hurryto pump out and fix the leaks before the boat sinks.

The sink drains are the most dangerous leak point since they are near the waterline. The rest are just annoying rainwater leaks.

[Frank C]

The sink drains are the most dangerous leak point since they are near the waterline. The rest are just annoying rainwater leaks.

Well - IMO, Craig's correct to a point. The sink drains are the most risky way contribute water to the bilge, as the boat's delivered. But at least they are above the waterline when the boat is at rest.

But, they could take water when heeled ... in fact, when heeled at speed, my sink drains will take enough water, and pressure, to fill the sinks against gravity. Craig warned to make sure that the sink drain hoses are not leaking. Roger sends a couple of black, rubber sink plugs as "deterents" for the pressure problem.

Finally though, if you (or the PO) did any drilling in or into the bilge areas, you COULD have a pierced ballast tank ... and THAT is the most significant risk to a full test of the posi-flotation system! As mentioned above, check that bilge thoroughly ... if there is a hole into the ballast tank (below the natural waterline) and if the stern gate valve is open, the boat COULD take water continuously until completely flooded. Keep that gate valve closed unless your actively diagnosing your problem.

[jklightner]

On a recent trip as I went below my bare feet stepped into about 3" of water. Thinking we were sinking, looked everywhere for the leak, finally discovered the drain plug on the ice chest had come loose and drained into the cabin. We use the Coleman 5 Day and it sits on the floor forward. Whew!!

[crackles]

G'day,
I'm new to sailing and have just purchased a 2000X. (Been messing around on boats for 25 years though). In my research I found an article that mentioned several yachts taking on water through a drain, when heeled. The water actually syphons into the cabin and will continue to do so. One guy had over a foot of water in the cabin before he noticed it.
Part of the solution was to fit a non-return valve into the line. The other part is to extend the drain line into an inverted loop, mounted high up which somehow helps to avoid the problem.

Does that make sense?

[DLT]

Both make sense and do work.

The problem with the "non-return valve" is that, like any mechanical device, it will fail eventually...

For that reason, the loop is probably the best method. If a part of that loop stay above the water line, then water won't flow past it. On the other hand getting the loop toom high will mean that your sink wont drain either...

At any rate, I don't believe either is necessary for the Mac. I haven't needed anything for my .

Although, when I installed my two bilge pumps I did put a hump (not a full loop) in the outlet tubing. The main reason for that was that I plumbed my bilge pumps to the transom. So, when backing the boat down a steep ramp, the thru-hulls can and do get submerged until enough of the boat is in the water to float it up off the trailer. So, a little water does get into the tubing and I just wanted to make sure it went right back out rather than into the bilge...

[Mark Prouty]

Doa!



Through screwing-up, I can usually be counted on to verify a potential problem. Indeed, the galley drain will flood the bilge. I hadn't finished a galley mod that included removing the sink drain tube when I went sailing. It was a great day sailing until we noticed the boat filling with water when it heeled.

Quizz questions:
Was I on a starboard or port tack. If a sailboat was approaching me on the port side, would I have the right of way.




Port Tack
A sailboat sailing on a tack with the wind coming over the port side and the boom on the starboard side of the boat. If two boats under sail are approaching, the one on port tack must give way to the boat on starboard tack.
I'd have to yeild. (even if might boat is sinking)

correct me if I'm wrong.

[argonaut]

Unless you moved the galley across the hall you were on a starboard tack when water squirted in, not enough info to know what you were on when you noticed it.
Since you're under sail you'd be the stand-on vessel if the other vessel approaching is on a port tack, long as you're not in a shipping lane expecting cargo ships to steer around you.

Plastic ballcock valves cost like $6 retail. That's 12 more bucks Mr. Macgregor saved.

What I'm wondering is what words you used to describe the water coming aboard? I'd have done a "Holy Crap! The boat's leaking!" just to see the mate's face!