how much water in the bilge

[Sailfish]

I have a new and I am getting some water in the bilge how much is too much ? Does anyone else have any water getting in thiers? I just want to know what is normal. Any imput would be appreciated

[Harrison]

I've never had any water in my bilge.

---Harrison

[DLT]

me neither

[kmclemore]

"Normal" is none, Sailfish.

However, it's possible some is leaking in around some of the more common areas... places that often leak are the chainplates (that connect to your mast's side-stays), the pedestal, the windows and the through-hulls (sinks, and any other's you've made). If you've had the boat out and noticed some in the bilge immediately afterwards, check the through-hulls and related tubing... if it's been raining and that's when you noticed it, check the chainplates first, then the other stuff.

Structurally, there's not been many reports of cracked hulls or other serious problems with Mac's... usually it's just something wasn't sealed properly or has come adrift a bit. Usually a judicious dose of properly applied sealant does the trick.

[Chip Hindes]

Best I can do to eliminate the duplicate post. Moderator please delete.

[Chip Hindes]

I've always had at least some water in the bilges of my X. I'm pretty sure the main culprit is the chainplates or stanchions, but I also know for sure I've got some coming though the front window (because it drips on the v-berth) pedestal (ditto the aft berth) and various other locations as well.

I've never attempted to reseal any of these; it's on my list of things that are annoying, I should fix them, but I'd rather be sailing so I'll live with them until they get bad. Amazing how long that list can get.

One other thing to check, assuming the M still has them, my first major "leak" in the brand new boat was eventually traced to one of the cheap 5-gal poly water bags which came stock with the boat. It's amazing how what looks like a huge amount of water in the bilges can come from an almost undetectable, tiny, pinhole leak in one of these.

One other thing I almost hesitate to dredge up, but what the heck. About a year ago there was one guy in FL with a brand new M whose name I forget, who had major leaks into the bilge from the ballast tank; almost sank his new boat the first time he went out. You can find the whole lurid story by searching the archive. Though I believe he eventually got it fixed, there were pretty widely varying opinions on the adequacy of Mac's and the dealers's response.

[Richard O'Brien]

Which section ? I usually get water in my aft section from going in reverse. It enters thru the loose rubber boot and the steering arm which as yet has no boot. As Chip suggested: I used to get water under the sink, until i replaced the plastic collapsible 5 gal. stock container with a plastismo 13 gallon. If it's in the bow, it has to be the forward ballast plug. If you had any depth sounders installed or knotmeters, you need to check where they were glassed in. Finally, Check the hose from the motor well to the galley in the newer M. I can't imagine a chain-plate leak, this soon.

[Andy26M]

I've always gotten a little bit of water in my 26M, also.

One of my major sources is the opening in the transom where the engine cables go through. That rubber boot is not very efficient at keeping water out. You might think that since it is under the seat that it would not get wet from rain, but when it rains hard enough water does splash onto those cables, then finds its' way along the cables into the bilge. And of course when you spray water around with a hose, it also gets in there.

I'm sure I've made it worse by running the wires from my radio and GPS antennas through that same opening and then up the transom, so that water has a path to run downward - if you've run anything through that opening make sure to dip it below the level of the opening before leading it upward.

I have a 35 gallon flexible water tank laid under my rear berth, and I also find that it is always damp. I took it out and gave it a thorough leak test in the back yard and I am positive the tank does not leak, so I have to assume that what I see there is condensation - the water in the tank lying next to the ballast tank, which is next to the ocean, stays cool longer than the air and daily produces a few drops of moisture. Any time I am leaving the boat unused for more than a few days I run that tank dry.

- Andy

[richandlori]

The only water I have seen in my bilge is from washdowns when it comes in through the motor cables and steering bar. Other than that...No Water.

[Terry]

I had water in my bilges too, but never the salty ocean stuff I sail in, just fresh water judging by the lack of smell. I also think it comes in from wash downs or leaks in the chainplates because it only happens after a rain or washdown.

[Tom Spohn]

Sailfish,
Water in an M is unusual. First step is to taste the water to determine if it is salty or fresh. If salty the most likely culprit is the sink drain. The factory mounts the fitting first, then drills thru the hull and hopefully hits the fitting dead center. If a little bit off water can come in the sink outlet when heeled over. Fix is to install a new thru hull. If fresh water is the culprit, is it just on one side or both? Front only or back as well? Once you narrow the area downjust follow the wet to its source. My boat was dry in the rain (we do get some here in Seattle ), but would get wet if I was too aggressive in hosing it down. When does yours get wet?

[argonaut]

Fix this soon, you don't want your brand new boat stinkin to high heaven of mildew.

I went a little obsessive-compulsive trying to locate leak sources on my X after I got her.
Search on "leaks" here, there is a list of common places in the thread.
After reports of perfectly dry boats, on the trailer I dried her out then watched when it rained to see if it got wet. Once I knew the water came in while on the trailer I hunted everywhere, helps to have one person hose and the other watch.
I found :
-Poorly installed components, holes drilled for motor control & not caulked/sealed, etc.
-Aft control cable holes weren't covered or caulked. Big leak source.
-VHF radio deck connector leaked like a seive. Eliminated connector and plugged with bait well plug.
-Every chainplate leaked when hose tested. Caulk w/clear silicone.

Thanks to the tips I got here my boat's -much- drier now, I seldom notice any now and it's like tablespoons.

[waternwaves]

I may be a little different than most.........here are my water sources

1) on the front berth, it is normally merely condensation from the interior cabin top surfaces........happens every day whenener there is no heat in the boat.

2) in the bilge, normally from my less than perfectlly sealed ballast tank vent. This has been polished several times to remove all burrs, however it is a persistant semi hidden source of water on my and others boats..... a quick test is to seal the plug, put some kleenex/tissue paper surrounding the plug, then rock the boat side to side with your weight, you would be suprised at how many boats allow a bit of water in, with every rock of the boat. (solution --replace the plug and make sure you do not get a salt crust in that location which scours and grooves the neoprene plug.)

3) Front hatch wind driven rain.......if you can see any light surfaces......water can get through whle underway. This gasket could be better designed also.

4) chainplates..... (by your interior plugs to replace before you tear into this task. 3M clear silicone on the outside helps (that is if it still leaks after coating the bolts with 5200,

5) sink drains..... (thoughI have only seen this on other's boats, not my own.... Every vile little creature has a penchant for going after those drains and plugging them, cutter bees, crustaceans, earwigs, they all love those dark places.

6) Outboard mounts....(another easy one to test with the tissue paper)

7) cabin deck connectors.......

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I can't imagine a chain-plate leak, this soon.

Not sure if that reasoning is correct. I have an X boat but I expect it is similar with M's. When I got my 3 yr old boat about 2.5 yrs ago, it would get a lot of water in the bilges after a heavy rain. It turned out to be the chainplates as I don't think they come from the factory sealed to keep water out. Sure, I get a drop here and there from other places, but nothing like the volume of leakage from the chainplates. Once I put some silicone on them, the boat dried right out for good. Because of the location (and movement), chainplate silicone really should be replaced every couple of years too..at least in the Florida sun. I'm pretty sure that this is the same problem with all sailboats btw...

[Catigale]

Before you taste your bilge water confirm that your head isnt leaking...
YUCK!!