Tracing Internal Waterleaks

[jcoll]

I think you just found my leak for me. Thank you!!! I'm going to check this tomorrow. Should be lots of rain coming in to verify the leak.

[Wayne162]

Did you find your leak Jcoll?

[Wayne162]

I recently had my Carver back on the hard for sea cock replacements for the forward head and the AC system. While out I took the opportunity to do some other upgrades and external maintenance that needed to be done. Once back in the water, I felt re-assured that all bottom work and external water leaks had been covered through my preemptive attempt to avert any issue. That was clearly not Change In Latitudes plan for me. Once back at our marina, I checked like a proud papa on my brand spankin new sea cocks under the galley to find them immersed in about 8 inches of water. Water was also found under the engines and under the aft head septic tank located in the master stateroom. After removing about 25 gallons of water, I found my sea-cocks to be intact with no leaks. The flow of water entered from the starboard side of the galley bilge through a galley hole with a fairly steady stream. After cleaning it out, I figured that the lift at the marina tilted the boat forward and residual water may have run forward from previous intrusions long ago corrected. The next morning, I found another 25 gallons back in the same areas. After removing the water further inspection found water behind the aft head to starboard. I suspected the city water connection as it had developed a steady drip on the outside of the hull under the water connection. Problem, no water was running below from the city water connection within the hull. I removed the Jabsco Model # 44410-1000 and found a local West Marne with the last Shurflo on the shelf. The West Marine part was larger than the Jabsco and required me to cut out a larger hole to replace the old Jabsco. Before cutting, reviews of the new Jabsco were found to be poor as many indicated that the quality had suffered and failure was more common in the Jabsco. I decided to use the West Marine purchased Shurflo in my project. The next day, again I found about 15 gallons of clear water in the bilge and again I removed it. After re-checking my theory and work, I discovered missing caulk under the aft trim that runs across the width of the swim platform. The trim is well above the waterline, however a dripping city water regulator intake runs the overflow directly across the swim platform and off the back of the boat and right into the missing caulk area. I display the path of the water across the platform with a section of PVC pipe for reference in the photo's. The water then found its way back inside the hull to run forward behind the aft head. In the attached photo's, you will see a bead of water running down the hull aft of the rear head. The same problem may occur while washing you boat. I still have some residual water working its way out. But only about 5 gallons at last check most likely left in the bilge and working its was forward with each roll of the boat.

[bud37]

Nice catch , water leaks can be diabolical heh..........In the one pic, there seems to be some sort of anomaly on the stainless trim just above where the caulking came apart...

[Wayne162]

It has a small dent there, but it was present when I purchased the boat two years ago and did not leak in the past.

[650Guy]

This is a great thread!! I too get water on the port side under the engine,

So step 1, find the culprit! This will have to be a spring project as she is in storage.

Step 2, the water is not draining from the engine bay? Can anyone help me with where the drains to the center bay should be on a 2001 350 mariner? This is my first carver and have to assume that everything drains toward the center, but mine seems to be stuck under the engine, and not flowing correctly? or is this correct?

[bud37]

Port side deck drain plugged, water drops into bilge ......water flows forward and can't escape from under the engine.......the only way to the centre bilge section is at the stern and another from the engine side under the generator, right ahead of the gen intake screen, then flows either forward ( normal ) then trapped ahead of the batteries or aft when boat is running.

I believe they are all pretty much the same....check seal around deck plate hatch,check seal around deck hatch handle, clean stainless catch basin and make sure drain to thru hull is clear.....mine is the same.......

[650Guy]

Thanks Bud37! Sorry it took me so long to reply, Had not had a chance to get out to her and check these suggestions out. I really appreciate you taking the time to make them!

In short, the seal around the aft 1/2 of the hatch has come unglued and dangles. I am in the process of re-afixing it to the deck plate. Found no signs of the thru hull or stainless catch basin being plugged. Also cannot find any sign of a seal around the hatch handle. Its simply one of those pull up handles.

So I guess for now, I will repair the seal, make sure the drains are clear and come spring, hope for the best. I am hopeful, but also worry there was too much water in the belly to be that.

I hate tracking down water leaks....

[Wayne162]

Update: I recently posted a water leak that I found originating from the swim platform trim due to missing caulk. Last week I found more water in the bilge and traced it back to the swim platform again. This time, I unscrewed the stainless trim from the platform and found a factory hole most likely pre-drilled during manufacture of the boat that was allowing water to flow into the hull. My reasons for believing it was done during manufacturing was the fact that the trim covering the hole had no screw or hole through the trim to accommodate a fastener. I was amazed with the amount of water in the bilge that entered the hull through the hole pictured.

[bud37]

I see what you mean, almost looks like there should have been a hole in the trim at that point....logical fastening at the end of the piece heh...amazing what you can find behind stuff...