J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Water accumulation in false bilge

For years I have tried to figure out where the water was coming from - rain? propeller shaft seal? leaking traveler track? what? I recently moved my boat to a better protected marina and docked the boat into prevailing wind direction. The water stopped and the amount of dewatering (pumping) of the false bilge has dropped to little or none. What changed - my stern does not receive any wave action and on closer inspection, it appears that the exhaust seal on the transom is cracked. On next haulout, I will repair that, but for now, I'm much happier without having to go to the boat and pump out 1 or 2 gallons each week.

In past threads, some have suggested the traveler mounting holes as a source for the water. I didn't think this likely, but I replaced my traveler with a Harken unit last spring, and carefully bedded it. I had significantly less water in the secondary bilge this past season. Just my observation.