bilge water when going fast

[saltybrain]

Hi,

i am new to the mac26x, this is my first season.

i am having some trouble with water coming into the bilge when i go above 10knots.

i can cruise all day below this, but as soon as i open the throttle up water seeps onto the carpets from the bilge.

i know the bilge-hole is there to wet the carpets on purpose, as a visual aid : but my question is more like why am i getting water in the bilge at higher speeds in the first place.

i only use the boat with the water ballast loaded. the sail rigging is up, but not in use at this time of course.

any ideas where i should be checking ? i cant see obviously where it is coming in.

thanks

Alex.

[Catigale]

Alex

I experienced corrosion of the compression pole a few years ago which let lots of water into the bilge with the bow down. That's one of the few things I can think of where water can get in.

[saltybrain]

Alex

I experienced corrosion of the compression pole a few years ago which let lots of water into the bilge with the bow down. That's one of the few things I can think of where water can get in.

Hi,

thanks for the tip : can you point me to the comrpession pole and what i should look for exactly ? or is it a matter of changing it ? is it difficult or something im likely to find in a generic chandlery or i must order a mac specific one ?

thanks again!

[40Toes]

I had the same issue. On mine it was the seal around the bracket bolt that holds the centre board. Fortunately it is easy to troubleshoot, just have someone watch the two areas (bolt and post) and bring the boat to speed with the motor- it'll be evident.

Rod

[Catigale]

Big repair. About 200 USD for the pole, and 3-4 hours to get it in right. Ill find the thread and link here..

see http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... h&start=30

[Crikey]

I thought you were talking about a Polish physiotherapist!

's don't come with these .....

[saltybrain]

I had the same issue. On mine it was the seal around the bracket bolt that holds the centre board. Fortunately it is easy to troubleshoot, just have someone watch the two areas (bolt and post) and bring the boat to speed with the motor- it'll be evident.

Rod

Thanks Rod!,

Ill look into that tomorrow cheers!

Alex.

[DaveB]

I would look at water penetration from deck leaks and see if water is traped between the Stringers. Water does sit there if you have a rain leak.
When you bring the bow up under power or sail, that water flows aft.
Without a bilge pump aft that water will end up at the aft births and bottom of companion way hatch sole.
Just another thought.
Dave

Hi,

i am new to the mac26x, this is my first season.

i am having some trouble with water coming into the bilge when i go above 10knots.

i can cruise all day below this, but as soon as i open the throttle up water seeps onto the carpets from the bilge.

i know the bilge-hole is there to wet the carpets on purpose, as a visual aid : but my question is more like why am i getting water in the bilge at higher speeds in the first place.

i only use the boat with the water ballast loaded. the sail rigging is up, but not in use at this time of course.

any ideas where i should be checking ? i cant see obviously where it is coming in.

thanks

Alex.

[Don T]

Hello,
One thing to look at is your center fill valve, if equipped. The pressure on the bottom of the hull can open the valve and force water into the ballast tank, it then comes out the top around the threaded rod (under the step unseen) and runs into the bilge. Will only leak "at speed." Causes are; corrosion around the aluminum washer fills the rod threads and binds up without being tight. OR forgot to tighten the valve......... been there done those.

Another cause is waves overtaking the stern when "plowing" and water gets in around the engine cables, wiring and steering cable where they penetrate the hull.

Of course, the water may be leaking up forward and collecting. When the bow raises it runs to the back and comes out the hole.

I know, I haven't helped except to give you even more places to check.

[saltybrain]

thats entirely possible, because i put the boat onto the mooring a bit early and it saw a couple of weeks of on/off rains and choppy seas before i started using it much, and its after the rains that i noticed this.

i havent been on the boat again since posting this thread, i hope to get some time on thursday to check all the suggestions : thanks!


Alex.

I would look at water penetration from deck leaks and see if water is traped between the Stringers. Water does sit there if you have a rain leak.
When you bring the bow up under power or sail, that water flows aft.
Without a bilge pump aft that water will end up at the aft births and bottom of companion way hatch sole.
Just another thought.
Dave

Hi,

i am new to the mac26x, this is my first season.

i am having some trouble with water coming into the bilge when i go above 10knots.

i can cruise all day below this, but as soon as i open the throttle up water seeps onto the carpets from the bilge.

i know the bilge-hole is there to wet the carpets on purpose, as a visual aid : but my question is more like why am i getting water in the bilge at higher speeds in the first place.

i only use the boat with the water ballast loaded. the sail rigging is up, but not in use at this time of course.

any ideas where i should be checking ? i cant see obviously where it is coming in.

thanks

Alex.

[saltybrain]

Hi,

I am not sure what the center fill valve is ?, i have a forward ballast valve, and i noticed even though it was closed there was water in the well where it sits, possibly an indication that it had leaked or over filled somehow.
once i opened this valve the water went back down to 'normal', and i closed it again : but the problem still occured but as suggested it could have been already settled in the bilge and only shows when the bow lifts at speed.

thanks a lot for your suggestions and i will certainly check them!

Alex.

Hello,
One thing to look at is your center fill valve, if equipped. The pressure on the bottom of the hull can open the valve and force water into the ballast tank, it then comes out the top around the threaded rod (under the step unseen) and runs into the bilge. Will only leak "at speed." Causes are; corrosion around the aluminum washer fills the rod threads and binds up without being tight. OR forgot to tighten the valve......... been there done those.

Another cause is waves overtaking the stern when "plowing" and water gets in around the engine cables, wiring and steering cable where they penetrate the hull.

Of course, the water may be leaking up forward and collecting. When the bow raises it runs to the back and comes out the hole.

I know, I haven't helped except to give you even more places to check.

[mika]

Uh, sorry, but this brand-new newbie has to ask: What's the "compression pole? Where is it and what's its function?

[David Mellon]

In the 26X there is a stainless pole in the cabin mid ship. It is under the mast step and serves to take the pressure from the rigging and pass it to the hull so the overhead doesn't need to support it. In the 26M that function is taken over by the centerboard trunk.

[saltybrain]

Hi,

I had the same question above, where catigale posted a link showing the pole and the damage described : http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... h&start=30

Alex.

Uh, sorry, but this brand-new newbie has to ask: What's the "compression pole? Where is it and what's its function?

[Don T]

Hello,
On early models of the X there is a valve and vent under the step in the companionway. The step has a thumbnut that you undo to remove it. If your boat has the forward vent in a flat area with the round cup like structure glassed in around it then most likely you do not have a center fill valve.