birchwood countess 27

[boatingworld2004]

Hello all

I'm just starting to look at a few issues on my dad's birchwwod countess. rain water in the bildge in different areas. does anyone know how the bildge is laid out? the different sections don't seam to conect in anyway and some of the areas are under tanks and quite out of the way! A diagram would be very helpful. I guess there must be waterways connecting the sections but I can't see them. Also the shower seams to pump out into the bildge is this correct?

Thanks for any help

 

[stuartw]

It's a few years since I sold mine, but I seem to remember that the engine bay, fuel tank area, and forward of that were all separate. I am pretty sure that at least the engine bay area was totally sealed from the rest. Where the skeg keel is, which runs for most of the accomodation, then this forms a sort of gully. I think this ends just before the engine bay.

How are you sure it is rainwater? Providing the two canopies don't leak and that they overhang the sides adequately, ie wind dosen't blow water in, then the only place rainwater could get in, is perhaps via the anchorchain locker or the side deck fittings which are not sealed properly.

If you are berthed on the river, it would be very difficult to distinguish between river and rainwater. Certainly in the engine bay, then leaking outdrive bellow seals are another possibility.(if you have outdrives, that is)

As regards shower pumpout, this can be fitted differently. Mine disharged through an above waterline hull fitting. I believe some were fitted as you say yours is, ie going into a bilge area, then being pumped out by the bilge pump.

Another possibilty is a leaking fresh water system. But you would hear the pump go periodically. Unless of course your fresh water tank has sprung a small leak.

Of course another way to prove the ingegrity of thew topsides of the hull, is a pressure washer. See the water inside increases.

By the way, do not discount condenstion, on bits of the hull which are underwater. This can lead to an accumulation.

That's about all I can think of for the mo.

Stuart

 

[boatingworld2004]

Thanks for the info stuart. Will let you know how we get on!

Cheers

 

[boatingworld2004]

Right

Got the boat pretty dry at last! The main cause seams to the usual window seals etc. I do have some water appearing from the pipe that connects the step/cabin and water tank bildge area. Has anyone ever removed the Hot water tank and could anyone tell me how the boat is constructed in this area? there seams to a be a void area that i can't get to under the tank. maybe the tank is leaking ? anyway the water is forcing itself back up this pipe but the area under the tank(where i can see ) is dry?

confused!

cheers


Thanks

 

[Sixpence]

Don't know how similar yours is to my 25 but with mine it turned out to be leaking windows, which over the years before I bought her had been left lying in the bilges and rotted the stringers badly. Tried re-sealing and everything else I could think of but ended up where I am now. Windows out and replacements made.
Best way to find the leaks I found was to either get onboard when it's chucking down and check every seal and join you can find, or get someone on the outside with a pressure washer to jet everything you think might be the problem.
As far as the seperate bilge compartments, I couldn't find any connections between them either so as I rebuild I'm installing them.
Might be worth joining us on the newly formed Birchwood Owners Association (click the link) where we're trying to build a list of helpful info and boats