cat-22 what is it?

[mrjd1981]

Hello, still rather new, but our catalina has a slight leak when in the water, maybe a half gallon every 4 hours. I've been trying to narrow down where its coming in from so I looked at the bottom today and saw a kind of plug? I looked over the C22 manual and it does not mention this. But from the inside of the boat behind where the drain and cable are for the keel there is a device with wires coming out of it, that use to go up to a box that just said "gain" on it. Which inturn was connected to a depth meter and speedomoter. (That are broken)

Rather then trying to repair the old system I took all the wires and gain box out. But what I am wondering is if the original thru hull sensor was taken out long ago and just a rubber plug put in? Its about 3inch in diameter.

I put some marine-tex around the seems of the plug and smashed it in pretty good. I'm curious to see if thats the cause of my issues.

I guess my question is.............has anyone else seen something like this? and does anyone else have any suggestions on where to look for issues with water coming in the bottom of a c22?


Thanks

[Cptken]

Most C22s did not come with any instruments, so what you have was installed by a previous owner. Pulling it out was probably a wise decision. It's been too many years since I had a C22, but if you have checked all the other possible leak locations, windows, chain plates, etc and they are dry then it probably is the old thru hull. I don't think I would trust a rubber plug and it is hard to get anything to stick to the plastic thru hulls. Perhap scroung around a used parts yard and see if you can find a cap that will screw on, or perhaps a pvc pipe cap can be found that will fit. Or if you intend to upgrade the system, replace the thru hull with the a new one.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by mrjd1981

Hello, still rather new, but our catalina has a slight leak when in the water, maybe a half gallon every 4 hours. I've been trying to narrow down where its coming in from so I looked at the bottom today and saw a kind of plug? I looked over the C22 manual and it does not mention this. But from the inside of the boat behind where the drain and cable are for the keel there is a device with wires coming out of it, that use to go up to a box that just said "gain" on it. Which inturn was connected to a depth meter and speedomoter. (That are broken)

Rather then trying to repair the old system I took all the wires and gain box out. But what I am wondering is if the original thru hull sensor was taken out long ago and just a rubber plug put in? Its about 3inch in diameter.

I put some marine-tex around the seems of the plug and smashed it in pretty good. I'm curious to see if thats the cause of my issues.

I guess my question is.............has anyone else seen something like this? and does anyone else have any suggestions on where to look for issues with water coming in the bottom of a c22?


Thanks

The speed transducers normally come with a plug that you can put in, while you service the transducer. Note that a proper plug and the transducer should seal on a couple of radial O rings on the shaft, not at the top where the ring is.

If it has the proper plug, and it is leaking, you might be able to stop it by removing the plug and applying marine grease to the O rings. Obviously while you are doing this it should not be in the water as you will have a rather large leak

[Spyder]

......but then again, you CAN do it in the water. Your bilge pump should clean up after you. Just be fairly quick and don't get flustered. I pull my speed transducer in the water every time I won't be using the boat for a week.
Cheers,
Dick

[MarkSF]

Yeah I just swapped mine in the water. It's a good way to test the bilge pump!

But he is not swapping a plug and the transducer, he only has a plug. So better be out of the water!

[Stu Jackson]

Most C22s don't have bilge pumps.

[MarkSF]

Right - always check that you have a bilge pump first