Tracking Down a Leak?

[fellinger]

I have a 1991 23' Trophy (please no Bayliner jokes). On a recent trip I noticed the carpet in the cuddy is getting wet. The compartments under the v-berth all seem to be dry. During my outting ver little water was pumped from the bilge but, when I pulled the boat out onto the trailer and pulled the plug more water did come out. I assume that the water left was somehow compartmentalized in the midship.

Does anyone have any ideas on the easist way to find out where a potential leak may be coming from?

Thanks,

Fred

[NJ Guy]

hmmm did you see water in any other compartments?

do you have a water tank midship that you might be filling and it could be leaking back into your boat?

[fellinger]

Thanks, NJ Guy. The boat is new to me. It was previously getting a lot of water from a fried exhaust boot which I have replaced and is now dry. I have never filled the water holding tank so, unless water dripped from the deck fill into the tank or around the fill I wouldn't know why water was getting into it. The sea cock for the bait well is closed as well. We were in pretty rough seas so, maybe it came in through the anchor locker vent? The only compartment that I found some water in is the step into the cuddy. The very bottom had some in it so, maybe it is clogged and water isnt draining from the front of the boat? I am at a loss. It isn't a ton of water but, I do want to track it down.

[NJ Guy]

take it out on the trailer put some water in it and see if it drips? that will give you a clue atleast if its  a hull issue?

[Pops Soul]

I know on my 23 WA, I had a leak around the horn on the side of the cutty. Check your port windows could just be a seal and with the added rain. I have what they call a euro style transom, their are 2 excess ports, once in a while the "O" rings in those ports will leak when I take water over that low transom. I will get some water when the plug is pulled.
Good Luck and may a little 5200 cure your problem

[fellinger]

With your help and some other boards I think I may have a starting place. The boat was in the water from Friday to Sunday. While out Friday and the begining of Sunday I did not notice the wetness. The only thing that I did different on Sunday afternoon was test the baitwell pump and add some water via bucket. I am willing to bet the drain hose is cracked or off or the top of the baitwell has delaminated from the underside of the deck allowing water to track down into the cabin area. Because of the attitude of the boat it probably was compartmentalized into that area and not able to pool to the bilge until the boat was hauled out.

I will check it out ASAP. I should also check to see if I have a forward bilge pump installed.

[Pops Soul]

If you have a crack in 1 hose maybe the time to replace them all