DaySailer.org Forum

I have to pump water out of the bilges every morning before I sail. I pop the circular covers in the floorboard do my daysailer11 and pump with a bailer. Where is this water coming from and how can I find the leak and fix it?

It sounds like your boat is on a mooring or tied to a dock correct?

I am having this very problem with the KALEIGH B except it is rainwater getting into the bilge. After talking to a few people I first should check the 30 year old inspection ports. I recently had another inspection port put in professionally and don't think it could be that one though. Is there a away you folks think rainwater can get in through the cockpit drain?

One way you could check your boat would be to have it out of water, fill up the bilge and watch for where the water seeps from.

Tbone

Thanks for the speedy response. The inspection ports sounds like the place to look. Good luck with your bilges, too, and thanks again.

Check the inspection port O-ring and their seal to the deck. Use silicone or another marine grade sealant to hold them against the deck. The ports are $12-14 each if they have to be replaced.

Also, if it's not rain water check out your centerboard bolt. Generally, the DS2 should have a rubber washer against the trunk and a fender washer (larger outside diameter than a plain washer) outside of that to snug it up against the trunk. the washer should be in good shape, not dried or cracked, a light coat of grease or Vaseline will help keep them soft over the years. Don't tighten the bolt so much that the rubber washer squeezes out from the washers either, snug is enough.

If your area is particularly rough there might also be water getting in through where the centerboard control cables pass through the hull. Many people seal these with flanged pipe fittings.

I had water coming in thru the inspection ports when I first bought my DS2. The bilge was filling with water everytime there was a heavy rain, and this was while on the trailer in my back yard. As I recall, all I did was clean the screw threads and check the 'O'-ring seals. That stopped the leakage.

John