possible anchor locker leak on 87,3607

[RWS]

Needing advice. I keep finding clean water in the forward bilge, it's not a fresh water leak or any type of plumbing leak. I am wondering if it is rain water getting past my windlass and into the anchor locker. our boat sticks out of our covered slip a few feet and blowing rain definitely covers our forward deck. The anchor locker has a drain hole but I'm wondering if over time maybe a small crack or wear has developed allowing water to get into the bilge. Also what is the compartment under the V=berth that has a drain line out the bottom? I have thought it was for storage of life jackets and other possible wet items but now wonder if the two compartments are connected. any advise or thoughts would be appreciated. I'm going to do the old water hose test next time we go back to the dock.

[Viper]

Have you tried following that drain line? Can't remember where the forward AC unit option is usually installed in that model but that's a common space for it in others. The drain line might be the condensate line that would be going to your forward shower sump. One of the other 3607 owners would be able to confirm.

If there is a path, it certainly could be rain water through the rode locker, pretty common in a lot of builds. If water is designed to drain overboard out of the locker, there is one or two holes at the bow usually covered by clamshells on the outside. If that isn't present, it usually drains into the bilge.

[Viper]

I forgot you have another thread going on for this.

[RWS]

Thanks Viber, I'm going to empty the chain from the anchor locker, clean the drain holes and box out and see if it has any cracks that's maybe letting water into the bilge. I am also going to check out the Rode box to see if has any openings to the deck. I'm thinking sealing the anchor box with flex seal and maybe stuff calm openings with some pool noodle material.

[km1125]

What are you referring to as the anchor locker? The area in front of the V-berth with the two doors?

If so, that definitely drains to the forward bilge. You would not want water trapped up there. Water shouldn't get in the except when you are raising the anchor, then all that wet rode/chain will bring some water in the boat.

The space below the V-berth is the rode locker. There is a large hole in the forward part where the rode passes up to the winch area. This area does have a drain and it does drain into the forward bilge. I was surprised on mine that the hose is just laying in the bottom of the bilge, when there is the forward shower sump right near there that it could have been attached to. I would make provisions to attach it there if I was you.

But none of that would relate to water getting in the forward bilge with just rain. That shouldn't be getting into the boat. Are you SURE it's rain and not potable water?? I've had two different leaks in the potable water system that ended up draining into the forward bilge. One was a VERY tiny leak on the rear side of the shower controls, which leaked down the bulkhead and into the bilge. The other time there was a leak under the galley sink that ran down into the forward bilge.

If you have HVAC, then you also should (might?) have two separate HVAC units that could drain to the bilge... the v-berth one and the salon one. They also should drain to the shower sump but there might be an issue where they're draining to the bilge.

Also, are you sure the shower sump isn't overflowing? Could have a float switch that's jammed or faulty.

[RWS]

KM1125, yes that is what I am call the anchor locker. I'm pretty sure it is not a plumbing leak. I keep my fresh water pump off when not on the boat and when I'm there with it on it never loses pressure and kicks on unless I have a tap open. Plus I winterize and none of the water I found had the pink anti-freeze color to it.
My anchor locker does have a drain hole straight out to the starboard side of the boat. I'm wondering if the rode locker is where it is getting in when I wash the boat my drain hose from it is just laying in the bilge. Both my forward and salon ac drains are connected to the shower pump. I'm thinking of just using part of a pool noodle to plug the rode hole clam covers on the deck.

[km1125]

If you have those clam covers, note that they go on two different ways. One leaves an opening for the line to pass though, but turn the cover 180 degrees and that hole is no longer there. With the covers in place, it's pretty hard to get water in there unless you're spraying them pretty hard with a hose. Normal rain won't do it.

[Viper]

What brand and model windlass do you have? Some are bad for allowing rain water in. Just take a look at it and see if rain could get in easily.

[RWS]

this is what the deck looks like

Image-1 (1).jpg

[bud37]

They all leak past the chain down the pipe....also those two chrome capped pipes there, one on either side ( spurling pipes)....they can leak as well if the caps on them do not fit well.