Water in the Bilge

[lw395]

It's worth persevering, as a dry boat is much nicer.
Once you've had a dry boat, you will not want to go back the pervasive Manky Auld Boat way of life.
Check anything that pierces the hull below water, keel bolts, shaft, rudder, through hulls, log, sounder...

Then look where rain may enter.
Locker hinges, cockpit drains, any fasteing on deck, hull-deck joint, windows, hatches, etc etc
Most annoying I've had was rain leaking through the cone of a cockpit speaker.

 

[Birdseye]

one way of finding the source is to dry out the boat and then scatter talcum powder all over the bottom beneath the boards. Water coming in will leave a track.

 

[Halo]

Took me ages to find a leak . It was coming from the chain locker. Definitely worth persevering to get dry bilge. Taste test was useless and misleading for me because the water had run over anchor chain. Best indication for below or above waterline leak is when she is on the hard. If it carries on when she's out the water its rainwater coming in.