mysterious taking on of water

[torpoint12]

We are living on a c-kip 40( trader) and I was very concerned to find seawater in the bilge in the forecabin the other day. UPon inspection we could see that this was coming from a man made hole in the bilge in the front of the engine compartment- next to the bilge pump.We were lifted out very quickly after a sleepless night. We cannot fnd where the water is coming in from- it is sea water but the keel-a contained box is till holding it. There are no obvious holes and no damp patches anywhere to be seen on the underside of the boat which would coincide with a hole. Can anyone suggest what is going on??!Could it be from the now unused holding tank for example?We need to get back in the water but can't knowing that there is a hole for obvious reasons!

 

[hlb]

Toilet inlet pipe??

 

[PCUK]

Are you sure it is definitely sea water? If you are taste testing, it could be fresh water that has become contaminated from previous salt water incursions into the bilge. If it turns out to be fresh water then the problem is at least, far less serious.

 

[johnwest]

There are several places to start looking and it could be one or any combination of causes.
Are your shaft stern glands dripping.
Are your rudder shaft glands weeping.
Is rain water entering the aft lazarette via the deck hatch.
Are the deck drains water tight. Both at the top and on the hose between their two fittings.
Are the filler caps for both diesel and water tanks sealed into the deck.
Is there water in the anchor locker.
Are all the anode bolts sealed.
Is one or both of the engine raw water pumps dripping.
Have you checked for leaks on the fresh water system.
Does the pressure relief valve on the water heater drain into a bottle or straight into the bilge.
I think you'll find that when the boat is sitting afloat the forward end of the engine room bilge and the forepeak is the lowest part and water from any part will drain down to it.
All the above from experience in the last eighteen months on my 38'

j