water in bilge normal?

[salsailor]

Hi I'm new to C34, I'm currently looking to purchase one.

I've looked at one boat, there's water in the bilge which the owner said it's normal from engine condensed water, like exhuast water?

I'm not sure this is true since I only have experience with outboard engine. If there is water generated by engine, wouldn't it goes with the exhaust and discharged out of the boat instead of dripping into the bilge?

[Ken Krawford]

You didn't specify what year the boat was that you looked but my 1988 has water in the bilge almost always.  The two most common ways water gets into the bilge are through various openings in the mast and via drips from the stuffing box.  There should NOT be any exhaust water in the bilge unless there is a leak in the exhaust system.  I guess water could also end up in the bilge via leaks from water tanks, ports, etc, etc. but I consider the above 2 circumstances normal.

[salsailor]

You didn't specify what year the boat was that you looked but my 1988 has water in the bilge almost always.  The two most common ways water gets into the bilge are through various openings in the mast and via drips from the stuffing box.  There should NOT be any exhaust water in the bilge unless there is a leak in the exhaust system.  I guess water could also end up in the bilge via leaks from water tanks, ports, etc, etc. but I consider the above 2 circumstances normal.

Thanks for the reply. This is 89 model. I understand the water comes in through mast and  leaks of water tank or ports etc. specially after rain. But in california, there's no rain in summer at all. I have a 25 catalina will stay very dry the whole summer.

I think the owner probably is not telling the truth. He also pulls out the water heater, saying need to repair, so there's no way to test plumming system at all to see if any leaks in the wanter tank, hosts etc.

[RON SCHERER]

The water is probably coming from the stuffing box like mine did. Go into the aft berth and pull up the cusions, remove the cover board and see if the nut on the shaft is dripping water. If it is it should only drip a few drops per min. I believe its like 4 drops a min. This is normal. I did not want water in the bilge at all so I replaced the packing with Gore dripless packing material and now my bilge is dry. Hope this helps and let us know if we can help further.

[Ron Hill]

Figure out first if it's salt or fresh water!!  Then come back and we might be able to help.  

[RV61]

As stated in other messages it can be normal to have water in the bildge from the shaft. On my conquest to have a dry bildge I found leaks from the following places: Shaft,Water Muffler hose collar  while engine was running. The water muffler was white  hose found inside the door on the vanity in the head, Ice box had two drains one went directley to the bildge, Hot water tank's element not properly seeded when replaced, leaky ports and stanchions, . I aslo had a crack in the skeg and it leaked just forward of the rudder post had the boat pulled and repaired. As stated in previous messages most boat leak from time to time from a large variety of reasons and that bildge come in handy to capture and pump back out.
The good news is that over time one can find most leaks and repair them.
I would still buy my 1986 Catina 34 all over again as with the help of this  I have conquered for today the leaks.

[Footloose]

I bought a C34 this spring, moving up from a sailboat with an outboard.  The boat was on the hard when we purchased it.  When it was launched water was coming in through the stuffing box in a pretty good stream.  Alarming to say the least.  After about five minutes it slowed to the 4 drops per minute that are normal as stated in a previous post.  Water in the bildge on these boats is normal, but I would find out where it is coming from.  It shouldn't be coming from the exhaust.  The owner probally doesn't know where it is coming from.  A survey should be done prior to finalizing the deal.

I would find out if the electrical system has been upgraded.  The stock systems are lacking in the ability to charge the batteries from the alternator.  If you sit at a slip most of the time, as the PO of our boat did, it is OK, but if you go out at all it needs upgrading ie wiring harness, larger shorter cables, bigger alternator and voltage regulator.

[Ron Hill]

David : You need to read all of the posts on "Drippless Packing".  I decided back in 1989 I didn't want that smelly, nasty and corrosive water in my bilge and went to the 1st generation of drippless packing.

If you're warning of necessary upgrades to potential buyers, don't forget the "under the BOTTOM" alternator bracket for the 1986 M25 engine.  The "over the top" bracket tends to break with catastrophic results!!    

[Ken Juul]

Don't forget about the Air Conditioner if you have one installed.  Many just drain the condensate into the bilge.

[lazybone]

It might be worth the fee to hire a surveyor.  He could fill in those areas your not completly comfortable assessing.

[Steve Christensen]

SalSailor,
   Get a marine surveyor !!, I have built boats for about 30 years and when I was buying my boat I was "Blinded" by the dream of my C34. a marine surveyor allows you to open your eyes and it requires the seller to open their mouth about the true condition of the boat. A small packing leak is a no harm no foul problem, but to replace the water heater, exhaust water lift, exhaust manifold can cost a bit. You may be willing to buy the boat with a major defect. At least you'll know the defect and cost to fix before you buy. don't let this scare you off of the C34 it is probably the lowest maintenance and best coastal cruiser you can buy. The dream came true!
   It may not rain in CA in the summer but people wash their boats here and the boat can leak at stanchions, ports, deck fittings, drains, mast seal, mast fittings. I hope this helps.
  After you get your boat join your local fleet there's a lot of fun to be had!!!

Steve

[salsailor]

Thanks for all the feedbacks.

Speaking of the surveyor, anyone have a recommedation for someone in SF bay area who knows C34 well?

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, I do.    EDITED AUG. 10.

The ONLY person I would recomend for la survey in SF would be Peter Minkwitz.  He's in Oakland.  Absolutely superb.

I'm on vacation now in Europe, so don't have his phone number.

He surveyed 2 C34s for me, and I gave him a lot of the C34 website info that was available in 1998.

[Stu Jackson]

Sal, see my update above.  What is the hull number of the boat you are considering?

[Rick Allen]

I would agree with Mr. Stu here.  We just completed the purchase of a 1988 C34 #746 (formerly "SIGNE") and used Peter for our survey.  He is very knowledgeable about Catalinas and gave us a very complete survey.

Rick Allen
1988 C34 "Painkiller"
soon to be in Richmond, CA