50 Post Bilge Leak

Don't I wish I were a kid....

Solstice, I was concentrating on the factory limber hole and not that smaller one. Is that actively spilling clear water on a constant basis? If so, I'd find out if that is salt water or fresh water sooner than later, and if salt, where the heck its coming from. (and that could be anywhere of a thousand places. At least you'll be focused on the port? side outside the stringer) I wonder why that smaller hole had to be added after construction?

Your imagery is testing my heart....

Did you determine if its salt or fresh water. That's a big first step imo and will help eliminate what may not be leaking if there is a leak. You don't have to start pulling flooring up quite yet. Borscope is a much better tool- inexpensive in home depot. Work from the low area to the higher area since fluids tend to run down hill. If you find a "puddle" work your way around the perimeter of the puddle to see if there is an active source.

That limber hole drains a lot of boat from the outboard side of the stringer to the chine, from bulkhead at the rear of the ER up to the bulkhead at the front bunk doorway, if not more. It could be coming from the A/C under the over/under bunk, the refrigerator, the water pumps, the water lines, the genny intake, the vents, the cockpit surface, an exhaust leak, a thru hull, left over winterization or repair spills. Just to name a few. So don't go crazy unfastening everything to find the "wet" spot just yet. Search the bilge area in the entire space I described and more with a flash light, scope and mirror - something has to be wet there?

I had that problem once and it turned out to be a leaking screw in the toe rail on deck.

If you are completely shut down and winterized and the water is still running in, you have a sea water leak from somewhere below the water line. You need to get your head in there with a small bright flash light and really trace the running water. you may have to cut in a new hatch / opening to see if need be.. like under a bunk or be hind a drawer etc to see in. Just follow the running water.

That crash valve "Tees" with the main water intake hose for the engine. The intake hose starts at a seacock, and then to a diverter valve going to the crash water pick up for emergency water evacuation. Once the seacock is closed there should be no water running thru any of those hoses.

If you think you may have a by-pass leak inside the seacock, close the diverter valve and see if that cures the problem. I may be repeating what you just said - sorry. If it remains dry you know you have a leak into your intake hose which will be contained - presumably from a leaky seacock. You must guard against that hose water freezing until you can repair the seacock leak. That hose will fill at least up to the water line. I usually keep at least one engine heater on.

Try working the sea cock back and forth...some times sea growth can get on the ball in the valve and the valve it's self and cause a little obstruction from closing fully. you have to try to knock that stuff off from opening and closing a few times.

To help with Cleanslate's suggestion, there should be a 5/8 brass plug at the bottom of the seacock. If you change that to a grease fitting you can get some grease in there with the valve at the half open position (make sure your diverter valve is closed) then open and close the valve half a dozen times. The valve is located in an tight spot so if you put a short pipe on the handle, that will give you a bit more leverage for the job.

That's a good idea..I just learned something, yet again on YF.

Yes that's what I meant Captain - 5/8 would be a heck of a fitting! We could put our straw for cocktails thru that opening....and still have room for a little umbrella

Soulstice, what's the status of the leak?

Would love to know the end of this saga too

Looks like you have already checked this area, but, I had this exact same leak on my 2001 50 and it was a loose fresh water system "T", port side outboard of engine just forward of the fresh water pumps. Tightened up, fixed.