Bertram33 User Forum

Does anyone have a 33 FBC that is completely dry at the bilge in the engine room? My boat always collects water....only place I´ve seen a small droplet is one of the shaft seals......no matter what, it is always wet. I have even made a new system with new piping for the cockipt sole so that rain water does not go to the bilge. Should I consider this normal, or do I have another leak I am missing?

rudder shaft seals and the fuel tank access Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

Rudder seals? I did not notice any dripping but I will look more carefully. Fuel tank access could be a rainsource, it is true....

Unfortunately, Bertram's are known for wet bilges. But you're right, the water has to be coming from somewhere. Rudders & Fuel Tank Compartment are good sources to check. Vents on the gunwhales I think also drain into the bilge, especially when underway in rough sea's. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Is it possible to have a leak on a water pickup? Such as the engine cooling pickups or other thru hull fitting that is below the waterline?

Yes it is possible and probable that any thru hull can or will develope a leak. Check the water exhaust as well. When I did a survey for purchase that was one one the items that needed attention. In the end you may need to haul the boat to determine where the intrusion is coming from.

Check the fairing blocks where the trim tabs are installed on the transom. I had to replace one as it was badly checked and water was weeping in where the screws penetrated the transom. It was mahogany. Bill

The rear of the boat (transom, swin platform arms, rudders, etc) seem dry but I will check again to see if I spot a leak.

Rudder posta are always my culprit. Really hard to keep the old things dry

Rich, On my 78 I had to pull the rudder posts. Found out the polyester putty that Bert had bedded them in was all cracked. You could put all the packing in the world around the shaft, but it wouldn't do a thing. The water was coming in around the rudder posts. When it got to the point of my bilge pump going on every 20 minutes, I had to pull the boat & start doing some fixing. Al

Check the bilge water to see if it fresh or salt. Yes.. taste it.. dip a finger in it and taste a drop. I get rainwater in my bilge more than salt. Trying to find rainwater leaks is a real pita!

How much water do you have? How often does your pump come on? Every boat I've owned had water in the bilge. Buzz

Check your raw water pumps as they can leak when running. Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]