[Rhodes22-list] New to the List - Water in Centerline Bilge

John Shulick jsbudda at verizon.net
Wed Apr 18 18:12:56 EDT 2012


Ken,
 
 Welcome to " Da List " One way to find a leak is to dry the bilge
completely, sprinkle some cornstarch or baby powder around the hull and wait
20 or so minuets and you should get an idea of where the water is coming
from. It has been my experience that a very small leak might not show when
the boat is empty, In the pool business it is common for a pool with pinhole
leaks to drain down to about a foot or so of water then they seem to stop
leaking. There is no longer enough water pressure to force it through the
small hole. I have a similar leak in my 71 Rhodes I get about a half gallon
of water in my bilge. Never any more or less even after 3 weeks of not
sailing so I just mop it up and live with it for now but it is on the to do
list.

John S

<
Here is my issue that I bring to the list: source of water in the centerline
bilge.

When the boat is initially placed into the water with very little equipment
aboard (two batteries, single fuel tank, minimal safety equipment) it rides
high in the water and there is no water entering the centerline bilge.  Once
we add on gear for cooking, spare safety anchor, lines, tools, emergent
repairs, overnight stays, etc.; the boat definitely sits lower in the water
despite great care to evenly distribute the carry-on items.  It is at this
point that water fills centerline bilge.  

Add to this some background information that the previous owner shared
regarding a few instances of the centerboard became “stuck” in the retracted
position.  He addressed this by cutting a hole in the aft step and then
further cutting another hole in the top of the centerboard cap.  We have
since had this modification professionally repaired but the concern is that
the integrity of the centerboard cap has been breached. 

Is it likely that the source of water entering the centerline bilge is due
to a stress crack in the cap or a weakening of the seal?  I have read others
posts that discuss the centerboard pennant tube as a possible water source,
but that would explain occasional water in the centerline bilge, not the
constant level I saw all last summer while docked in the South River.

So we have elected to leave the boat out of the water for the season until
we can get some advice and effect a repair that will solve this issue.  We
were fortunate that we had a brand new bilge pump and float switch in the
centerline bilge, but as I look back, I am sure we were floating on borrowed
time.

>From the documents I have found in the archive, the centerboard cap removal
is a fairly demanding job.  I am not certain what I may find once I get the
boat opened up but want to get the advice from other owners on the most
likely source of water intrusion before I plunge into what promises to be a
task outside my comfort zone.

I appreciate any insight that the list audience might offer….tear down of
the interior begins in two weeks….

Ken Szczublewski



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