water in Keel

Discussions about Cape Dory, Intrepid and Robinhood sailboats and how we use them. Got questions? Have answers? Provide them here.

Moderator: Jim Walsh

Post Reply
Bruce

water in Keel

Post by Bruce »

Help!!!!!
any suggestions how one removes water(snow,rain etc.) from the interior part of the keel on a cd25. This novice needs help befor the drill comes out and we add drainage holes.

Thank You All
Bruce



PlantmanHS@Aol.com
Dave D

Re: water in Keel

Post by Dave D »

Bruce,

I take it the water is in the bilge. When I bought my 25CD last year they told me they just put some antifreeze in the bilge every fall and they never had a problem. The guy I got to survey the boat recomened that a drain plug be glassed in to the bottom. He said that will cost about a hundred dollars (plus a hundred more I'm sure.) As long as there isn't too much ice in there I wouldn't worry about it too much. If there is damage you'll be able to see small stress cracks out the outside on the bottom of the hull. I think next fall I'm going to put the drain in my boat, just to make the winterization easier. Hope, there is no damage and lets hope for warm weather.

Dave
25CD R&R

Bruce wrote: Help!!!!!
any suggestions how one removes water(snow,rain etc.) from the interior part of the keel on a cd25. This novice needs help befor the drill comes out and we add drainage holes.

Thank You All
Bruce
Robert M Paterson

Re: water in Keel

Post by Robert M Paterson »

Bruce wrote: Help!!!!!
any suggestions how one removes water(snow,rain etc.) from the interior part of the keel on a cd25. This novice needs help befor the drill comes out and we add drainage holes.

Thank You All
Bruce
Bruce, if you are talking about H2o in it's liquid state, a good "thirsty mate hand pump" should do the trick.Your local marine store should carry one.They come in body lth's of 18,'' 24,'' and 36,'' with a 72' hose,self priming and great for evacuating small boats,bilges,and such like.
If you are looking, as i found this weekend in my bilge,( due to condensation), H2o in it's frozen state, then a good heat lamp and a crow bar should solve the problem.And yes do remember to add the antifreeze
Hope this helps Bob P



Wskyr3d@aol.com
Larry DeMers

Re: water in Keel

Post by Larry DeMers »

Bruce and Dave,

I first want to say that I own a CD30, and so am unfamiliar with the exact problem you guys face with the CD25. But what I do not understand is why you are fretting over a little condensation..you did put a gallon of antifreeze in the bilge, right? It's cheap insurance considering the trouble involved if that water ever does get serious about freezing.

Adding a drain for the bilge seems like extreme overkill for a problem that is easily solved in other Cape Dory's. You really do not want another opening below the waterline, do you?

Help..fill me in on the problems with simply pumping the bilge out in the fall, adding a gallon of antifreeze, and calling it good? There is something that I must be missing here..

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Dave D wrote: Bruce,

I take it the water is in the bilge. When I bought my 25CD last year they told me they just put some antifreeze in the bilge every fall and they never had a problem. The guy I got to survey the boat recomened that a drain plug be glassed in to the bottom. He said that will cost about a hundred dollars (plus a hundred more I'm sure.) As long as there isn't too much ice in there I wouldn't worry about it too much. If there is damage you'll be able to see small stress cracks out the outside on the bottom of the hull. I think next fall I'm going to put the drain in my boat, just to make the winterization easier. Hope, there is no damage and lets hope for warm weather.

Dave
25CD R&R

Bruce wrote: Help!!!!!
any suggestions how one removes water(snow,rain etc.) from the interior part of the keel on a cd25. This novice needs help befor the drill comes out and we add drainage holes.

Thank You All
Bruce


demers@sgi.com
Leo MacDonald CD30K

Re: water in Keel

Post by Leo MacDonald CD30K »

Hi Bruce,
First haul after purchase of Heather Ann I installed a "Garboard Drain" (I think that was the term) at the very bottom aft end of the bilge area. Basically it's a threaded plug with a 1/2" square socket for installation and removal (use a 1/2" ratchet with a small extension.) Each haul out I remove the plug and place it in a can in the icebox. Then I siphon all PW tanks to the bilge thence to the gravel. Before launch (the "before" being important) put some Teflon tape and install the plug.
Fair Winds,
Leo MacDonald Heather Ann CD30K



macdore@aol.com
Ron Musk

Re: water in Keel

Post by Ron Musk »

Bruce wrote: Help!!!!!
any suggestions how one removes water(snow,rain etc.) from the interior part of the keel on a cd25. This novice needs help befor the drill comes out and we add drainage holes.

Thank You All
Bruce
Geez you guys,I have to go along with Larry(you aren't missing much),is it that much trouble to pump out and winterize the bildge? Just make sure additional water stays out.I've had the pleasure of owning both a 25 and now a 30c and can't understand why you'd want another hole below the waterline, but thats me.

Ron Musk
s/v"R&R"
CD30 #42



ccerre@massed.net
Bruce

Re: water in Keel

Post by Bruce »

Bruce wrote: Help!!!!!
any suggestions how one removes water(snow,rain etc.) from the interior part of the keel on a cd25. This novice needs help befor the drill comes out and we add drainage holes.

Thank You All
Bruce
Thank you all for your helpful responses,but the water is below the bilge area,the fiberglass has been compromized and has a 2" opening
between the bilge floor area and the keel(i.e.the lower part of the keel)If I'm missing something about the bildge please advise me
Thank You All Again
Bruce
Post Reply