graemeB1
New Member
Hi There,
I recently bought a Beneteau Oceanis 31 fixed keel 2001 which I sail on the lake here in Switzerland. The boat has not been used much by the previous owner, only 130 hours on the engine, and is like new inside the cabin. But, from the outside it has clearly not had a lot of TLC. I have replaced the rigging and had the engine and electronics serviced a few weeks back. With the final arrival of summer I hoisted out the boat to do the antifouling and was told by the Capitain du Port that he had only once in 10 years hoisted out the boat. The undersides were pretty much covered in weed and muscles. After two days of work it was all sanded down and new antifouling applied. An investigation of the undersides by the local chandler pronounced all looked in 'OK' condition so we relaunched looking forward to faster sailing and it goes really well undersail or motor!
However, the next day we arrived at the boar and I noticed water in the bilges which at first I blamed on over-enthusiastic use of the high pressure cleaner I used on the undersides and sides. Thankfully the electric bilge pumps had it drained off pretty quick and an investigation of the engine bay showed some residual water around the rear drive entry through the hull. Not deterred we spent the afternoon sailing but arriving back at port the engine bay was once showing a new collection which we pumped out. The next day same story with water from the engine bay to the sump but well below the floor boards. We pumped that out again today and during the day it did not look like it increased or came back again to the same extent, it definitely seemed less today.
So to my question.When we had the boat out for antifouling it was a record heat wave here in Switzerland with 35 oC. I am pretty sure no servicing was done on this boat prior to my purchase. Is it possible the grease in the stern tube has dried out or needs refilling, and do I have to haul it out again to do that? The engine is a Volve Penta MD2020. There is a watercooling system fitted to the drive prop (on visual inspection it looks good) from the engine on my boat so if the seals dried out will they 'reswell' after a time? Apart from the stern tube I find no other way for water to get into the boat, it doesn't smell wet and other compartments like the heads and forward cabin are dry. I checked the clamps on the cooling system and all are tight and look in good order.
Look forward to enlightenment!
Best
GB
I recently bought a Beneteau Oceanis 31 fixed keel 2001 which I sail on the lake here in Switzerland. The boat has not been used much by the previous owner, only 130 hours on the engine, and is like new inside the cabin. But, from the outside it has clearly not had a lot of TLC. I have replaced the rigging and had the engine and electronics serviced a few weeks back. With the final arrival of summer I hoisted out the boat to do the antifouling and was told by the Capitain du Port that he had only once in 10 years hoisted out the boat. The undersides were pretty much covered in weed and muscles. After two days of work it was all sanded down and new antifouling applied. An investigation of the undersides by the local chandler pronounced all looked in 'OK' condition so we relaunched looking forward to faster sailing and it goes really well undersail or motor!
However, the next day we arrived at the boar and I noticed water in the bilges which at first I blamed on over-enthusiastic use of the high pressure cleaner I used on the undersides and sides. Thankfully the electric bilge pumps had it drained off pretty quick and an investigation of the engine bay showed some residual water around the rear drive entry through the hull. Not deterred we spent the afternoon sailing but arriving back at port the engine bay was once showing a new collection which we pumped out. The next day same story with water from the engine bay to the sump but well below the floor boards. We pumped that out again today and during the day it did not look like it increased or came back again to the same extent, it definitely seemed less today.
So to my question.When we had the boat out for antifouling it was a record heat wave here in Switzerland with 35 oC. I am pretty sure no servicing was done on this boat prior to my purchase. Is it possible the grease in the stern tube has dried out or needs refilling, and do I have to haul it out again to do that? The engine is a Volve Penta MD2020. There is a watercooling system fitted to the drive prop (on visual inspection it looks good) from the engine on my boat so if the seals dried out will they 'reswell' after a time? Apart from the stern tube I find no other way for water to get into the boat, it doesn't smell wet and other compartments like the heads and forward cabin are dry. I checked the clamps on the cooling system and all are tight and look in good order.
Look forward to enlightenment!
Best
GB
