Freedom 40/40 taking on water only while engine running
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 12:10 pm
We had an issue last summer with our 1995 Freedom 40/40 #16 taking on water only while engine was running. When sailing, there was no problem. While under power, water was pouring into the bilge from somewhere. The dripless was not leaking. No water coming in from engine cooling system. All thru-hull fittings were fine. Water was actually pouring in, and it appeared to be coming from somewhere aft. It was a mystery.
Finally we took everything out of the rear lazarette and found that the scupper hoses from the helm wheel well to aft outlet (under the swim platform) were rotted out. When the boat was under power, she sits back, so the scupper outlet is below the waterline causing water to pour into the bilge. When sailing, the scupper outlet is above the waterline, hence no water in the scupper hoses and no leakage. Replacing the scupper hoses fixed the problem.
My suggestion is that if your boat is of a similar vintage that you check these hoses and replace them if there is any question. There is a lot more pressure inside them than I ever realized.
Finally we took everything out of the rear lazarette and found that the scupper hoses from the helm wheel well to aft outlet (under the swim platform) were rotted out. When the boat was under power, she sits back, so the scupper outlet is below the waterline causing water to pour into the bilge. When sailing, the scupper outlet is above the waterline, hence no water in the scupper hoses and no leakage. Replacing the scupper hoses fixed the problem.
My suggestion is that if your boat is of a similar vintage that you check these hoses and replace them if there is any question. There is a lot more pressure inside them than I ever realized.