[pnwnovice]

Hi there! I'm the proud owner of a 1971 Coronado 23. It's in good overall shape, but there are a couple "big" projects I want to complete before the busy summer sailing excitement. The main one is a leak. Basically anytime it rains there is a decent size puddle of water directly under the cockpit, just behind the stair and running down the galley toward the v-berth.

I'm a total novice to boat repairs and maintenance, but I want to figure this out and get Kelpie cleaned up. I've checked out right under the starboard drain in the cockpit, which is where I'm guessing the leak is coming from. There is a (very) rusty faucet right there, and since the leaky water is a reddish color, I'm thinking the faucet has something to do with this.

Can anyone give me an idea of where to start on this? Why is there a faucet there? I can't get it to budge, and I've tried to chip away at the thick rust, but I'm kind of baffled. Thanks for your advice!

 

[Gladrags1]

Pictures would help us diagnose. Uncertain what you mean by faucet. Is it a thru-hull with valve? Do you have pressurized water aboard? Cockpit shower? Like I said; pictures would help.

Tod


Mandolin, Bayfield 36 out of Rock Creek, Chesapeake Bay.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tempest]

Yes...would love to help, but without pictures or a better description we'd all be throwing darts blind-folded... you may need more posts to post a photo or a link.

 

[MarkSF]

Essentially there isn't a good substitute for waiting for a really rainy day, and seeing where the leak is (leaks are, more likely). Water can travel a long way from the original leak.

Culprits can be any deck penetrations. I have had leaks from the stern pulpit mounts, the lifeline stantion bases, and the grab rails, all now rebedded with butyl tape after overdrilling, epoxying the holes, and re-drilling.

I have seen it suggested that talcum powder can help trace the source of a leak, but of course it makes a right mess at the same time.

 

[azguy]

Essentially there isn't a good substitute for waiting for a really rainy day, and seeing where the leak is (leaks are, more likely). Water can travel a long way from the original leak. .

Really, what about a water hose

I'd seal the boat up and run some water in all the areas that are suspect. Maybe a friend can help with this.

I'd be curious about this rusty faucet...pictures, please...

 

[Seaduction]

Pictures only possible after 10 posts, I believe.

 

[Minnewaska]

Go to the Off Topic subforum and find something to babble in for a few more posts. Then post a pic here. I sort of doubt you have a fresh city water adapter, but suppose that could be the faucet you refer to.

Leaks are a PITA to find. As mentioned, they can travel from a long way away. Had a Captain once tell me, "leaks on a sailboat travel uphill". Sounds funny, but not really. When you are heeled over or pitching up and down, what is uphill at the slip, isn't necessarily underway.

The rusty water is a great clue. However, it could be a backing plate or anything under the deck.

Not all leaks will show themselves while running water or raining. I have one that takes at least 12 hours to makes its way through some obscure path. Very hard to find. I just sealed one more thing up and am waiting to see if I got it. Fingers crossed.

 

[JimsCAL]

I suspect the "faucet" you refer to is a valve. Rust says its not bronze and needs to be replaced. Need those pics to help.

 

[pnwnovice]

Hi there! I'm the proud owner of a 1971 Coronado 23. It's in good overall shape, but there are a couple "big" projects I want to complete before the busy summer sailing excitement. The main one is a leak. Basically anytime it rains there is a decent size puddle of water directly under the cockpit, just behind the stair and running down the galley toward the v-berth.

I'm a total novice to boat repairs and maintenance, but I want to figure this out and get Kelpie cleaned up. I've checked out right under the starboard drain in the cockpit, which is where I'm guessing the leak is coming from. There is a (very) rusty faucet right there, and since the leaky water is a reddish color, I'm thinking the faucet has something to do with this.

Can anyone give me an idea of where to start on this? Why is there a faucet there? I can't get it to budge, and I've tried to chip away at the thick rust, but I'm kind of baffled. Thanks for your advice!

UPDATE: I have attached 2 photos. One of the cockpit drain and one of the rusty area where I think the leak is coming from.

 

[Faster]

Certainly looks like that's where it's leaking.. equally clear that none of that is a proper installation. Some builders use basically sink drain fittings for cockpit drains - could be the situation there.

That isolation valve is the wrong type too - and in the wrong place.

Can't find a decent illustration of what should be there, but you may find some ideas here:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=how+...80&bih=925#q=cockpit+drains+sailboat&tbm=isch

 

[Gladrags1]

I am assuming that the photo named "rust" shows the underside of the fitting in the photo titled "drain". That fitting is on the cockpit sole (floor), correct? If so, those fittings are household plumbing fittings. That rusty elbow should be removed along with the drain fitting and replaced with proper fittings and bedded properly. If not, there will be a problem with moisture soaking up in the plywood core with rot and delamination occurring. The valve is a gate valve and should be replaced. Where does the other end go? I assume it exits the boat. Does it do so above or below the waterline. If below, it is important that that pipe, valve, and scupper (drain) fitting be replaced with proper reinforced hose, ball valve, and drain fitting with everything double clamped. It should be done that way if the thruhull is above the waterline but not critically important. For obvious reasons, the boat should be on land when doing the repairs.

Not a hard project, depending upon access of course.

Let us know if you have questions and tell us how you make out.

Tod


Mandolin, Bayfield 36 out of Rock Creek, Chesapeake Bay.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JimsCAL]

As I suspected, your "faucet" was a valve. And a gate valve which doesn't belong on a boat.

Gladrags advice is right on. Redo the whole thing. If the outlet is above the waterline, you can get away without a seacock. But not a bad idea to put one in while you are redoing everything.

 

[pnwnovice]

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, the "rust" photo is the flip side of the "drain" photo, on the underside of the cockpit sole. The pipe exits the boat below the water line, so, as you say, it will need to be on land for this plumbing work.

The boat used to live in the San Juan Islands, and has a lot of growth on the hull; based on what I've read/researched, needs to get hauled out, pressure washed, and painted. I don't know when the last time that happened was. So it sounds like a haul out is in order. There are some other plumbing jobs that are probably similarly-incorrectly installed.

To address other questions - there is no pressurized water onboard and no cockpit shower.

I'm hoping to get the boat hauled out in the next week or so. Do you have any advice for other things I should have looked at/replaced while she's out? I know she hasn't been on land for at least 3 years, but no idea before then...Thanks a lot everyone!!

 

[Gladrags1]

The most important things are the thru-hulls. They keep the water out! All through hulls should be either bronze or maleron which is a black plastic material that is very strong. There should be ball valves on each through hull. Ball valves are identified by a lever that operates them, not a round knob. All hoses attached should be checked for condition and should be double clamped on all fittings (at through hull and inboard fittings). You should be able to close the valve on the through hull with relative ease.

If you have a swing keel the cable should be checked.

Most everything else can be addressed with the boat in the water. With no pressurized water, you have a nice simplified system to work on. I assume portapotty as your toilet? Do you have inboard diesel or outboard? If inboard, insure that those through hulls are properly clamped as well. Good luck and have fun!


Mandolin, Bayfield 36 out of Rock Creek, Chesapeake Bay.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pnwnovice]

Yes, definitely a more simplified system than many, but still intimidating for a first-timer. Lots of dumb questions. I appreciate you letting me pick your brain!

I'm pretty sure there are no levered ball valves; I've noticed lots of the round knobs. I'll have to make sure the boatyard that I go to will install thru-hulls and ball valves that are bronze or maleron. (Planning on CSR Marine, if anyone is familiar.) I'm going to have them check out all the plumbing and electrical systems - I figure best to start on a good foot and learn from them, rather than botch something trying to do it myself the first time.

I have an outboard which, of course, has it's own issues Most recently, the starter rope snapped, so tonight I'm going to try (again) to take apart the starter mechanism. I have a remote starter box that doesn't currently work but would be great to get working.

No swing keel, and yes, the toilet is a bucket