Boat leaks...

[Hartley18]

Does anyone know of a good way to find out where the water is getting in??

Every time it rains, we seem to get a 1/2-gallon or so of additional water in the bilge and even on a boat as small as ours, I'm stuffed if I can work out where it's coming from.

I'd thought some might be getting in via the through-deck toe-rail bolts, but they seem to be dry after the event (the ones I can get to anyway). We have a white-painted interior and runs are not obvious.

Thanks,

[camaraderie]

Pressurize the cabin w/ BIG industrial fan in hatch...seal it up well as well as any vents. Get a mop and a bucket of soapy water and splash it on deck and watch where the bubbles appear.

Wierd...same obscure answer twice in one night!

[artbyjody]

Check your cockpit drains , it could be a loose fitting allowing water in...

Originally Posted by Hartley18

Does anyone know of a good way to find out where the water is getting in??

Every time it rains, we seem to get a 1/2-gallon or so of additional water in the bilge and even on a boat as small as ours, I'm stuffed if I can work out where it's coming from.

I'd thought some might be getting in via the through-deck toe-rail bolts, but they seem to be dry after the event (the ones I can get to anyway). We have a white-painted interior and runs are not obvious.

Thanks,

[Giulietta]

1 gal of gasoline, mix some oil, place inside boat, right in the center, light a match, and throw in gasoline.

Close the boat, and come outside.

The water gets in from where the smoke is coming...but will only happen momentarily...let burn completely!! The oil will make the smoke dark....nice....learnt this from my neighbour, the "open space" sailor

Much easier than Cam's "Blow a tell" system....

I heard Monika Lewinsky could blow a golf ball thru a garden hose, but she won't be available soon....washing the panties, now.

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

1 gal of gasoline, mix some oil, place inside boat, right in the center, light a match, and throw in gasoline.

Close the boat, and come outside.

The water gets in from where the smoke is coming...but will only happen momentarily...let burn completely!! The oil will make the smoke dark....nice....learnt this from my neighbour, the "open space" sailor

Much easier than Cam's "Blow a tell" system....

I heard Monika Lewinsky could blow a golf ball thru a garden hose, but she won't be available soon....washing the panties, now.

Apparently you should be forewarned to have your insurance up to date, and if the boat doesn't blow up....be ready to become a interior decorator as you will need to paint, and get rid of all the soot, before you can proudly mount the "Darwin Award" you will receive....Apparently this is a common technique done in portugal to determine if a boat is seaworthy instead of paying for a survey.. ...


Cams a bit more work... but you could rent a fog machine and seal up...but check obvious places first as all the cockpit drains etc all go through the boat before they go back out...before going through such effort...

[Giulietta]

I have a better idea....

Put SD inside the boat, close the boat, then come outside sniff around and see where the bad smell comes from.....

[Hartley18]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

1 gal of gasoline, mix some oil, place inside boat, right in the center, light a match, and throw in gasoline.

Hmm.. I was hoping for something non-destructive!.

I did mention that I had a white-painted cabin - Giu, it wouldn't be white if I tried this.

Cam's idea has merit, but I'd be worried about lifting the deck off the hull!! Apologies if there was a similar post - I didn't see it.

Cockpit drains: Ours go though the transom, but it's possible that a bolt or 50 is leaking somewhere..

[swadiver]

I read an article once on finding leaks and they suggested using a dry eraser marker to draw lines around where you think water may be coming in. When water flows over the dry eraser line it will break the line. You have found your leak. Never tried it but always wanted to. Make sure you use a dry eraser marker not a permanent marker....

[SimonV]

Tape everything closed and use a leaf blower on the only open vent rest as per CAM.

[chucklesR]

Sprinkle chalk dust (colored if needed so you can see it) - where it runs it's wet.
Vacuum up (or wipe) when done.