water in bottom of sailboat

[Sandrak]

Is it normal for water to be in the bottom of my sailboat where the keel bolts down at? I have a 1970 35ft. C&C.

[gonzo]

Does water come in after you completely dry out the bilges?

[Sandrak]

It is not like the bottom is flooded. Its the water left over after the bilge pump has pumped out the water. I just recently got this boat and pulled up the carpet and noticed the water. Do all sailboats have water like this?

[Robert Miller]

This should not be regarded as normal.

The water is seeping in somehow, and the source must be found. This is sometimes a more difficult task than imagined, as the water can be tracking to the sump from almost anywhere.

Thorough inspection is needed....
Might start with:
The seacocks, any and all through hulls, around the keelbolts (especially if stainless), stuffing box, shaft bearing box, rudder post, etc. Well... you get the idea. Must look at everything below the waterline.

Having said all that, I have more than once seen boats with slow accumulation of wateer in the bilge sump that was eventually traced to the hull to deck joint! (This is a common above waterline leak point where sealant simply breaks down over time.) Other above waterline sources can be any fastening or fitting through deck, coaming, cockpit sole or bridgedeck. Then, of course, portlights and all hatches and ventilators.

Could be a bit of a job to find the leak, but it is necessary to do so. The good news is that it is not all that likely to be very serious or expensive. ... (hope springs eternal).

Robert

[Guest20100203]

Leaks are a problem for all boats. Most pump locations and the pickups themselves don't allow a complete emptying of the bilge. If you dry the bilge with a sponge does the water return after no use? After use only, after rain, etc. This will determine some of the locations to look. If you are picking up water after no use (sat at it's mooring or slip all week) then the problem is likely below the waterline a keel bolt(s) a thru hull fitting, etc. If only after a rain then the weather deck, fittings, rails, cleats, sail tracks, hatches and companionway should get a good look over. If after use it could be water coming over the deck and finding a way below or any of the above.

Taste (that's right taste it) the water. Does it have a salty flavor or fresh (in spite of the oil, gas and other stuff you'll get a hint of from the bilge) this would be the first thing I'd do if the boat is on a salt water slip or mooring. A fresh water location is a bit more difficult to compare, but you can taste the difference between rain water intrusion and lake or river water if in less then a brackish area.

Remove the carpet, it unseaman like and will rot and be a great place for mold, mildew and little beasties to collect. If the boat is sealed up tight (it shouldn't be) when not in use it could be just condensation collecting on the topsides and running down to the bilge. Ventilation is so very important in boats and most don't have enough without modifications.

Find out when you're getting the water and this will help localize your search in most cases. On a 34 year old boat I'd bet on the deck fittings having lost most if not all of the bedding under them and letting dew, rain and spray down below. The hull to deck joint should be suspect as should everything passing through the hull from the bottom of the keel to the top of the mast. All of these parts will have a seal of some sort, some mechanical in nature others bedding (some sort of goo at the part's mating surfaces).

Another trick is to place news paper or paper towels under areas to check, like hatches and fittings. Spray the area and check the paper towels for drops. If your boat has a liner (an inner skin that makes up the furniture and walls inside the boat) the hull to deck joint can be a bit of a problem to physically see for leak checks, but if the bilge is dry you can place paper towels in it and hose the hull to deck joint (point the spray up at the rub strip and blast it good) then check the towels for wetness. Do only one thing at a time and dry the boat and bilge each and every check so you locate the leak and not get false readings from areas that also are leaking and got wet during a different test.

Odds are you'll find a big leak and a bunch of little ones with some soon to be leaks tossed in for good measure. Welcome to the world of used boating. If the leaks aren't boat threatening (likely sinking, etc.) then use the thing and have fun while you find time and money to renew the bedding, seals and other things you'll soon love to hate, just like the rest of us . . .