Cape Dory 25 taking on water ????

[Bogeyboy]

Yes, there are actually two starboard drain plugs. No water tank and the sink is empty. Head drains to a pump out tank amidships. The drain hoses from the starboard drains run under the storage compartment decks and enter the bilge at that center point . The water comes in to the bilge from that point so I thought it was the drains but I cannot duplicate the leak or the water entry.

As a general question how do the drains keep water out of the boat? The design requires them to be under water whenever the boat heels to starboard-and it only takes a little angle of heel to put them under. So what keeps water out? check valve, flap, something else?

[tjr818]

. . . The drain hoses from the starboard drains run under the storage compartment decks and enter the bilge at that center point . . . .

Are you saying that the cockpit drains drain into the bilge????

[drb9]

. . . The drain hoses from the starboard drains run under the storage compartment decks and enter the bilge at that center point . . . .

Are you saying that the cockpit drains drain into the bilge????

They're supposed to drain below the waterline. Pages 38 & 40 of http://www.capedory.org/manuals/CD25-1978-Manual.pdf

[Kilgore]

The bilge pump through hull is accessible and easy enough to plug. Just a thought for more testing.

The only other starboard through hull on mine is the spedo. It's under the waterline at rest but it wouldn't hurt to check it.

Good luck.

[s2sailorlis]

One idea to trace water ingress. Take a water soluble magic marker. Start drawing lines everywhere in various areas below. When water comes in you’ll know as those lines will be smudged or gone. I’ve used that method before on a Tanzer 22 when chasing a leak.

Other ideas..stick a go-Pro camera down below to see where it’s coming from. You can find cheap GoPro knockoffs in Amazon for $29.

Finally do you know if the hoses to the various drains were ever updated or re-routed? Or is everything factory?

Other than that it may be a hose leak that only happens under sail so may need to get new hose..

[s2sailorlis]

Doubtful...the hose may run thru the bulge to a thruhull. Unless some PO re-routed things...

. . . The drain hoses from the starboard drains run under the storage compartment decks and enter the bilge at that center point . . . .

Are you saying that the cockpit drains drain into the bilge????

They're supposed to drain below the waterline. Pages 38 & 40 of http://www.capedory.org/manuals/CD25-1978-Manual.pdf

[Steve Laume]

It's time to go for a sail with a couple of crew members, you trust. Bring some good tape, some wood plugs, a flashlight and push the boat a bit. Wiggle all the hoses and take a good look around. Make sure to pump the bilge and shut down the pump when the boat is well heeled on that side. To be completely rule out the bilge pump, which I still think is your problem. Make sure you have enough water in the bilge to get a good stream going. Don't pump the bilge completely dry but shut it off while the hose is still full of water and not sucking air. It takes a fair amount of heel to generate enough of a stern wave to consistently bury the pump outlet so be sure the boat is moving well. If even a bit of air enters the through hull it will break the siphon and not reveal the problem, if that is what it is. If that much water came in and then was easily pumped out with no leaking while sitting at the dock, it just shouldn't be that hard to locate. This is a serious concern and it is cutting into your sailing time. You need to have confidence in your boat, Steve.

[jbenagh]

Did you figure this out?
Sorry I'm late to the party but my bet is on something with the scupper hoses. Maybe missing or at least cracked. That's what my CD25 had at age 34. It was the hoses from the cockpit benches to the cockpit. The split was around back where i couldn't see. Let in a TON of water; way more than I would have expected
Jeff

[Dick Villamil]

Check the joker valve for the head - this could allow a lot of water into the boat especially if the intake is on the starboard side and as the boats movement forces water back up the head intake. Water would come in from the toilet bowl or a cracked intake pipe or cockpit drain that is on the starboard side. A loose hose clamp or cracked hose could be the answer. .