PWR
Well-Known Member
it tasted of fresh water and diesel 
volume of water in Sadler 25 bilges
- Thread starter PWR
- Start date
PWR
Well-Known Member
found and dealt with 3 of the 3 suspects, in the process found a 4th - seep from under the port side shroud base. I won't be touching that until the autumn. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Zorro
Member
Floating charts
I used to have a Sadler 25 which used to collect water in the bilges, I tried everything, re sealed the keel, re sealed all the windows and hatch but still no better.
We came back from France in a good force 6 one day and when I looked down below the charts were floating about in the cabin, my wife said not to worry as the Sadler 25 was unsinkable, I replied no that is the Sadler 26.
I finaly found the answer, the water was getting in from inside the anchor well where it joins the deck, there was actually a half inch gap there at the top.
I put epoxy tape over the gap and we never again had a spot of water inside the boat.
By the look it would appear that the boat was built like it so I would think that most other Sadler 25's would have the same problem.
I used to have a Sadler 25 which used to collect water in the bilges, I tried everything, re sealed the keel, re sealed all the windows and hatch but still no better.
We came back from France in a good force 6 one day and when I looked down below the charts were floating about in the cabin, my wife said not to worry as the Sadler 25 was unsinkable, I replied no that is the Sadler 26.
I finaly found the answer, the water was getting in from inside the anchor well where it joins the deck, there was actually a half inch gap there at the top.
I put epoxy tape over the gap and we never again had a spot of water inside the boat.
By the look it would appear that the boat was built like it so I would think that most other Sadler 25's would have the same problem.
Seajet
...
Was going to suggest checking the core plugs.
I had a boat with a Volvo engine ( saildrive 13hp, I forget the model, memory is kind ) - the core plugs began to fail when it was about 12 years old, first I knew was when one with a special sense of humour corroded through when motoring in a calm at the top of the Alderney race, spouting water into the engine bay bilges; as I'm not a fighter pilot I'd never spun out of control at such speed over the ground, what 'fun' !
A chum with araldite fixed it and we waited for it to set ( 'rapid' was but a dream then ) while people going past busily ignored my request for a standby & tow, b******ds...
I had a boat with a Volvo engine ( saildrive 13hp, I forget the model, memory is kind ) - the core plugs began to fail when it was about 12 years old, first I knew was when one with a special sense of humour corroded through when motoring in a calm at the top of the Alderney race, spouting water into the engine bay bilges; as I'm not a fighter pilot I'd never spun out of control at such speed over the ground, what 'fun' !
A chum with araldite fixed it and we waited for it to set ( 'rapid' was but a dream then ) while people going past busily ignored my request for a standby & tow, b******ds...
blackbeard
Well-Known Member
Volvo stern seal life: Volvo say replace after 5 years but some seem to be OK for a bit longer. Should not leak at all, except when burped after taking ground when a few drops should come through. Once it gets tired it will weep a bit, indicating should be replaced as soon as convenient. Check P bracket cutless at same time, as that may be worn as well.
Water pump; if it's anything like the Yanmar variety, a leak indicates seals (and possibly spindle) need replacing, as in soon, although do first check the cover plate is sealing properly.
Even the faint possibility of a leak anywhere in raw water cooling system is a very good reason for closing seacock when leaving boat. (You knew that, of course, but there are some who apparently don't, a boat in our club nearly sank that way.)
Another source of water: log impeller and housing for same. Mine used to leak after a hard beat to w/w, also when on exposed moorings in a strong blow. Replaced O ring seals and now seems OK.
Plumbing; fruitful source of minor leaks, just like home. Two I found were: pressure-sensitive switch for fresh water pump (a rubber seal had become un-bonded); and a shower-head type outlet had a tired O ring and the resulting leak had water dribbling down the outside of the pipe (instead of into the sink) and thus into bilges.
sorry for making your job even more complicated
Water pump; if it's anything like the Yanmar variety, a leak indicates seals (and possibly spindle) need replacing, as in soon, although do first check the cover plate is sealing properly.
Even the faint possibility of a leak anywhere in raw water cooling system is a very good reason for closing seacock when leaving boat. (You knew that, of course, but there are some who apparently don't, a boat in our club nearly sank that way.)
Another source of water: log impeller and housing for same. Mine used to leak after a hard beat to w/w, also when on exposed moorings in a strong blow. Replaced O ring seals and now seems OK.
Plumbing; fruitful source of minor leaks, just like home. Two I found were: pressure-sensitive switch for fresh water pump (a rubber seal had become un-bonded); and a shower-head type outlet had a tired O ring and the resulting leak had water dribbling down the outside of the pipe (instead of into the sink) and thus into bilges.
sorry for making your job even more complicated
Bosun Higgs
N/A
None. Its a grp boat so all you should have in the bilges is dust.
Does it have a bag FW tank like other Sadlers? Work of the devil those things and always leak in the end.
Neil
Well-Known Member
When I bought my Sadler 25 (fin), the bilges were as dry as a bone. After some serious and prolonged rain, I had some wetness in the bottom bilges. I tasted it, but it was so horrible, I couldn't be sure it wasn't salty! 
I mopped them up with old towels and they've been dry ever since. Still get a thimble-full in the engine bay sometimes.
This is just as well, since the hose from the bilge pump was missing....I still have to replace it....
I mopped them up with old towels and they've been dry ever since. Still get a thimble-full in the engine bay sometimes.
This is just as well, since the hose from the bilge pump was missing....I still have to replace it....