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Re: Watertight, my foot!

gegcarter@...
 

Joel accurately described the factors behind the failure of the ‘watertight’ bulkhead between the forward accommodation and the saloon: whether owing to builder oversight, modification or age, the space between the conduit trunking and the pipes taking water for heads, a/c and anchor wash is not filled.  In our case this is visible from forward under the lower shelf beneath the holding tank.

 

We were made aware of the issue only because we a) had failed to check the tightness of the bowthruster cables, b) were heeled to port at 20-30 degrees for 48 hours as we crossed the Bay of Biscay fine reaching on starboard in 25-35kt winds and a biggish sea c) slamming frequently.  a) and c) meant the bowthruster leaked prodigiously and b) that the collected water crossed the watertight bulkhead through the pipe trunkings.  It became visible in the central stowage (saloon and forward cabin) only when the boat came upright on arrival in Gijon. 

 

I suppose that the purpose of this site is for us to learn from one another’s experiences.  In this case people with boats answering Joel’s description should probably check their bulkheads.  Like Mahili, we fixed the problem – we used closed cell foam.  And check your bowthruster before making a big trip!

 

Fair winds

Anne and Keith

SM2K 261

 


---In amelyachtowners@..., <karkauai@...> wrote:

I'm guessing that water from the chain locker may  find its way into the forward shower well when heeled to port if all valves are open and there is significant water in the chain locker.  Is that the issue?
Kent
SM243
Kristy


On Nov 2, 2013, at 8:15 AM, "Bill & Judy Rouse" <yahoogroups@...> wrote:

 
Wow, Alan, I have never, ever, experienced that. Possibly I do not understand your use of the word "waste" from the "forward head drain." I understand that to mean GRAY water from the shower and sink. That water should have already passed through a hose that runs slightly downhill from the forward head drain to the sump. I cannot imagine how this is happening to you, unless that drain hose has been moved from its original position, or your bow is down about 25-30cm. Is the drain hose in the bottom of each saloon locker? 

You might try pouring 1-2 liter of colored water into the shower drain and have someone watch at the sump to see if it drains and it is colored. Possibly there is an obstruction in the hose.

Please explain further...I am always a little slow on understanding something new.

Bill
BeBe, SM2k, #387


On Sat, Nov 2, 2013 at 11:50 AM, <divanz620@...> wrote:
 

Seems to me that it could be the drain in the forward head....When one is on starboard tack, the waste from the fwd head drain can flood the fwd head .. I have a wooden plug to plug the fwd head drain so it doesn't flood the head...BUT, it's a bitch to get out.

I'm going to (next trip) change the plumbing a bit and add a valve under the floor out side the fwd head so I can shut the fwd head drain off, but re-plumb the anchor locker drain T after the valve so its still clear.

 

Cheers

Alan

SV Elyse SM437

---In amelyachtowners@..., <gegcarter@...> wrote:

Has anyone else had to test how watertight their front cabin was as water came in at first unnoticed via the bow thruster?
Apparently the water entered continued it's way into the saloon (we were heeling to po rt, on starboard tack) via the housings for the seawater pipes for toilet, chain washer and clim. Flooding our under the floorboards storage.
Are we missing something there or watertight compartment means something else in French?
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