Belize 43: Water in compartment behind engine

[peteatbeach]

I believe there was a thread or comments buried in a thread about this topic, but I can't find it. So I'll ask: Do any other boat owners notice salt water collecting and/or staying in the area behind the engine compartment. I'm sure this will require new sealant - probably at the hull/deck joint.

Just checking to see if anyone else already dealt with this and how you fixed the problem.

Thanks

Pete

[Cheechako]

Maybe it's from the packing gland for the prop shaft? They are meant to drip, some drip more when running.

[peteatbeach]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Maybe it's from the packing gland for the prop shaft? They are meant to drip, some drip more when running.

We have sail drives, and engine compartment is lower than engine bilge. There is a 3/4 wall between the two. The water is definitely coming in through a bad joint seal. Trying to find out what other Belize owners have done.

[belizesailor]

Are you sure its salt water? Freshwater (rain) leaks are not uncommom in this area on several makes.

[Sailmonkey]

Have you recently backed into a slip?

I've seen that from a cracked hull to deck on the stern.


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[peteatbeach]

Yes it is saltwater.

[peteatbeach]

We do occasionally back in but have never hit. The Hull/Deck joint is normally 6" or more above stable water.

[Cheechako]

Could it be coming from the rudder shaft packing? Are they setup that way? Just thinking out loud...

[peteatbeach]

The rudder shaft (stainless steel) is inside a fiberglass post that is on the engine side of the bulkhead. The post is about 24" above water line. Also, I haven't noticed any drainage from the rudder post when the boat is out of the water, so I have to assume the location of the incoming water is above the water waterline.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by peteatbeach

The rudder shaft (stainless steel) is inside a fiberglass post that is on the engine side of the bulkhead. The post is about 24" above water line. Also, I haven't noticed any drainage from the rudder post when the boat is out of the water, so I have to assume the location of the incoming water is above the water waterline.

Salt watet ingress above the water line? Maybe from the top of the rudder post or exhaust system?

[tuskie]

It may be worth checking the vented loop on the raw water intake pipe.

The air valve on top ("the vent") allows air in under suction but should close under pressure. One of ours clogged with debris and expelled a stream of salt water into the engine bay whilst the engine was running. Enough to make the bilge pump run and my heart race!
Simple fix; remove, clean and replace the air vent.

[clownfishsydney]

On our boat (an Australian Lightwave) we had water in this compartment. It took me ages to figure out where it was coming in. It turned out it was a join between the main hull and the extended stern, water would come in if we had a following sea. Sounds like you may have something similar.

[Rapanui]

I cannot remember if the Belize has the rubber fender strip around the transom which I guess hides the transom to hull join. If so I would look there. Our Athena does and it is similar vintage to the Belize

[Lucky]

Which side is the leak appearing? If it is on port side the fixing screws for the plates holding the swim ladder in place could be the culprit. Would be entering when sailing, or doing a lot of bathing! Also as mentioned if you have the aft rubbing strake bolts might be leaking at the lower end. These are normally above the water line and would not leak unless extreamly laden or actually sailing.

Then there are the rudder post, which comprise a SS tube fibre glassed into the hull and do not have any packing box but will not leak unless sevely damaged by inpact to the actual rudder. That you said has never happened and if so also would mean water ingress into the engine compartment.

I had fresh water in the same compartment on port side from a faulty fitting on the shower tube above the engine compartment.

Would be interesting to hear what caused the ingrss once you find out.

Good hunting!

Happy lead free sailing from Lucky

[carpe vita]

I have a Venezia, the shower is on the starboard side sugar scoop. If I leave the valve on, the compartment behind the engine fills with water. Are you sure it is salt water?
If it is not that, you may have a crack along the seam of the sugar scoop.
I believe that when they built the boats, they joined two halves of the hull then glued the whole sugar scoop assembly on.
Good Luck!