Water aft of bilge - Source ideas?

[tranquil]

I drain my H20 heater this time every year. The next day I find H20 aft of the stern edge of the bilge, aft of the hot H20 manifold, prior to performing the winterization process described on this site. This area does not seem to be part of the bilge because it is higher than the bilge-the "floor" of this area is level with the top of the bilge; thus does not drain into the bilge. I wipe it dry with rags, as can access with the bilge floorboard cover off.

Periodically during the summer I discover H20 in the same place. When lying down in the transom hull via the starboard lazarette in order to reach over and turn the white valve to drain the hot H20 heater, I did not see water anywhere. Not on the starboard side either. What could be the source of the H20? Do I have a leak somewhere? Is the hot H20 heater not draining properly? Or is this "normal"? This is my year of chasing leaks.

Thanks
Teri

[TBOT422]

If I understand the area you are describing correctly, it is just forward of where the rudder shaft comes through the hull. I have seen water there after heavy rain when the bimini is down. You might want to take a look at the cover to access the emergency tiller. If it was leaking it might drain into this area. Another thought could be the hoses and valves for the transom shower.

Hope this helps

[tranquil]

Appreciate the feed back! The area is inside the cabin, between the front of the stair legs and the aft edge of the bilge. It is the space under the floor boards that is accessible from the aft edge of the bilge after taking off the cover.

The transom was dry without water stains while I was down there to drain the hot H20 heater, but I agree it makes sense to do a more diligent inspection around the cockpit shower and emergency tiller cover area. Thanks again!

[TBOT422]

A photo would be nice. Forward of the companyonway stairs might be water coming from the sink area, or a variety of other areas that drain toward the bilge. We had water draining into the bilge that was coming from an overflow of a stopped up AC drain pan above the refrigerator. It didn't seem to be coming from anywhere and I thought it was a leaking keel bolt. Then when we went cruising for a couple of weeks it slowed down and stopped and I realized that the only thing we didn't use while cruising was the AC.

Good Luck

[tranquil]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I will be at the boat tomorrow and will take a photo.

Question - about your "AC drain pan above the refrigerator." My AC unit is under the port setee, forward end, next to the wall that is the shower /head on the other side. There is a drain pan/condensate pan under and attached to the unit which I wipe out periodically.

In the cabin there is a foot pump under the kitchen sink that drains fluids in the fridge that drip from the freezer. Upon opening the fridge side door there is a drain hole on the fridge under the bottom lip of the door opening, within an indented area. When it gets clogged fluids drip down the front/outside of the fridge to the floor. I have used flexible wire to "rod" it out until it works again.

Is there another drain pan near the fridge or are you referring to the A/C unit on the port side?

Thanks for the clarification.

Teri

[TBOT422]

Apparently our AC units are installed differently. Our AC unit is installed in the starboard cockpit locker. Thete is an air return vent on the wall above the refridgerator. We have to remove the filter behind the air return vent to access the drip pan.

[tranquil]

Same C350 yet different configurations! Thanks for the clarification.

Attached is a current photo that reflects the season- my winterization hoses are connected to the Hot H20 manifold and the hot input is disconnected. The discolored area aft of the hot H20 manifold is where I periodically find water that does not drain to the bilge. At those times I've felt under the hot H20 manifold and hoses seeking leaks but found none.

I don't often go and lay down into the transom locker other than spring and fall, but each time the hull transom area is dry without signs of drips as I survey the area. I store pool noodles and extra fenders that are dry without drips or discoloration. Not sure where water is coming from on an intermittent basis.

Anyone have a description of specifically where the H20 hoses run from each tank? The Owners Manual has a diagram but doesnt indicate where the hosts run from the tanks to the manifold, the valves under the kitchen sink and hot H20 heater.

Thanks
Teri