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Rob
 
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Default Leaking Keel Bolts?

I have a Catalina 30- about a month ago I thoroughly cleaned and
de-greased the bilge, something I been meaning to do all summer.
About 2 weeks later I went down to the boat and noticed a very
small-bit of salt water in the bilge (about 1-2 ounces at best) around
the stainless-steel keel bolts (also the lowest point in the bilge).
It is not the stuffing box because I installed a new dripless system
that does not allow any water in. The brass through-hulls are not
leaking either.

Is this something to be concerned with?
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Default Leaking Keel Bolts?

Interesting maybe, maybe not - that's a very small amount of water. Keep a
watch on it.
First have you grounded or hit anything?
You tasted the water and it was salty? You sure or did you guess. You
cleaned with fresh water so you should know if its salt or not.
Weather change will cause condensation.

I would paper towel the area and surrounding area bone dry.
I would take a flash light at night and check the area, over and over
I would look at water tanks, hose clamps, thru hulls....
Sometimes it takes a series of events to start a leak.

watch and think

stu



"Rob" wrote in message
om...
I have a Catalina 30- about a month ago I thoroughly cleaned and
de-greased the bilge, something I been meaning to do all summer.
About 2 weeks later I went down to the boat and noticed a very
small-bit of salt water in the bilge (about 1-2 ounces at best) around
the stainless-steel keel bolts (also the lowest point in the bilge).
It is not the stuffing box because I installed a new dripless system
that does not allow any water in. The brass through-hulls are not
leaking either.

Is this something to be concerned with?



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d parker
 
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Default Leaking Keel Bolts?

Talcum powder is your silent friend. Coat nearby surfaces with it and with
in no time you will see exactly where the leak is coming from.

DP
"Rob" wrote in message
om...
I have a Catalina 30- about a month ago I thoroughly cleaned and
de-greased the bilge, something I been meaning to do all summer.
About 2 weeks later I went down to the boat and noticed a very
small-bit of salt water in the bilge (about 1-2 ounces at best) around
the stainless-steel keel bolts (also the lowest point in the bilge).
It is not the stuffing box because I installed a new dripless system
that does not allow any water in. The brass through-hulls are not
leaking either.

Is this something to be concerned with?



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Rob
 
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Default Leaking Keel Bolts?

Stu,

I never grounded out while in motion. One time @ dead-low tide the
keel was grounded (while at my dock)- this only happens during extreme
low tides and the bottom is extremely soft mud. If you were to stand
on the creek bank you would sink up to your knees. I rocked the boat
off and motored out. I cant imagine that would have opened the seal.
I'll just have to keep an eye on it and see what happens.

Thanks- Rob

wrote in message ...
Interesting maybe, maybe not - that's a very small amount of water. Keep a
watch on it.
First have you grounded or hit anything?
You tasted the water and it was salty? You sure or did you guess. You
cleaned with fresh water so you should know if its salt or not.
Weather change will cause condensation.

I would paper towel the area and surrounding area bone dry.
I would take a flash light at night and check the area, over and over
I would look at water tanks, hose clamps, thru hulls....
Sometimes it takes a series of events to start a leak.

watch and think

stu



"Rob" wrote in message
om...
I have a Catalina 30- about a month ago I thoroughly cleaned and
de-greased the bilge, something I been meaning to do all summer.
About 2 weeks later I went down to the boat and noticed a very
small-bit of salt water in the bilge (about 1-2 ounces at best) around
the stainless-steel keel bolts (also the lowest point in the bilge).
It is not the stuffing box because I installed a new dripless system
that does not allow any water in. The brass through-hulls are not
leaking either.

Is this something to be concerned with?

  #5   Report Post  
 
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Default Leaking Keel Bolts?

I was thinking of a hard hit. It may be condensation. The idea of using
talcum power is a great idea.
Just watch and think. I once had a leak which took me six months to figure
out. It ending up being capillary attraction going upwards.

stu

"Rob" wrote in message
om...
Stu,

I never grounded out while in motion. One time @ dead-low tide the
keel was grounded (while at my dock)- this only happens during extreme
low tides and the bottom is extremely soft mud. If you were to stand
on the creek bank you would sink up to your knees. I rocked the boat
off and motored out. I cant imagine that would have opened the seal.
I'll just have to keep an eye on it and see what happens.

Thanks- Rob

wrote in message

...
Interesting maybe, maybe not - that's a very small amount of water.

Keep a
watch on it.
First have you grounded or hit anything?
You tasted the water and it was salty? You sure or did you guess. You
cleaned with fresh water so you should know if its salt or not.
Weather change will cause condensation.

I would paper towel the area and surrounding area bone dry.
I would take a flash light at night and check the area, over and over
I would look at water tanks, hose clamps, thru hulls....
Sometimes it takes a series of events to start a leak.

watch and think

stu



"Rob" wrote in message
om...
I have a Catalina 30- about a month ago I thoroughly cleaned and
de-greased the bilge, something I been meaning to do all summer.
About 2 weeks later I went down to the boat and noticed a very
small-bit of salt water in the bilge (about 1-2 ounces at best) around
the stainless-steel keel bolts (also the lowest point in the bilge).
It is not the stuffing box because I installed a new dripless system
that does not allow any water in. The brass through-hulls are not
leaking either.

Is this something to be concerned with?





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mickey
 
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Default Leaking Keel Bolts?

Rob wrote:

I have a Catalina 30- about a month ago I thoroughly cleaned and
de-greased the bilge, something I been meaning to do all summer.
About 2 weeks later I went down to the boat and noticed a very
small-bit of salt water in the bilge (about 1-2 ounces at best) around
the stainless-steel keel bolts (also the lowest point in the bilge).
It is not the stuffing box because I installed a new dripless system
that does not allow any water in. The brass through-hulls are not
leaking either.

Is this something to be concerned with?


Yes, it is something to be concerned about. They may start rusting at an
accelerated rate in the stub, that part of your fibreglass hull
which protrudes from the hull as a re-inforcement. The bedding compound
may be damaged. That could happen if the keel-bolts were too loose for a
longer time. Dropping the keel for an inch and re-bedding is the answer.
Risky business, consult a professional.

Andreas

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