Bilges - Underfloor storage compartments are WET

[smr547]

Increasingly, fresh water is being found accumulating in the sub-floor storage compartments and in the bilge. The source of the water is unknown but may include one or more of

• slow leak in forward freshwater tank
• ingress through starboard window or gunwhale (during rain or deck washing)
• overflow (pressure release) from hot water system
• water release during plumbing repairs
• overflow into sail-locker -- when forward tank refill is left unattended (the drain in the hatch perimeter is inadequate)
• portholes left open

Namadgi's network of under-floor compartments and the extremely poor location of her Limber Holes means that water is trapped in various compartments and does not efficiently drain to the bilge. Trapped water moves around the sub-floor compartments and voids between the stringers in a somewhat random fashion.

There is also evidence to suggest that small amounts of water are moving between GRP layers associated with the keel support stringers.

In a master-stroke of poor design, our fixed bilge pump is also located away from the main bilge area (saloon underfloor compartment adjacent the "nav" station - starboard side). This may be effective during a significant flooding event but is useless for mopping up routine spills and leaks of the kind we are experiencing.

The recommendations to skippers are:

• [ ] Take care when stowing items below the floor boards (they should be stowed in waterproof containers)
• [ ] Regularly inspect these compartments and remove any water found
• [ ] NEVER leave hoses unattended during water tank refill operations (especially the forward central tank)
• [ ] Fix all leaks when found, or report as a maintenance issue

@peterottesen, could you please include this advice in the Skippers Notes? @PSARN for stowage plan

The committee and incoming skippers need to be aware of this ongoing and annoying problem.

@mrmrmartin @Bill-Russo @mgrybaitis @pjwain @Christopher-w-green @delcosta

[PSARN]

My Namadgi App includes a checklist for NOTICE TO SKIPPERS. The items below have been included. Is there a general list of notice to skippers, that I can ADD Peter

[PSARN]

My Namadgi App includes a checklist for NOTICE TO SKIPPERS. The items below have been included. Is there a general list of notice to skippers, that I can ADD

[pcbaston]

All underfloor compartments are dry. There was slight water in center aft underfloor (aft keelbolts) enough to get a sponge wet. I tested the bilge pump operation (correct) so that is now drying out.

Issue should be closed.

[smr547]

Happy to close this one!! Thanks for the update Paul.