sv Bella Rose

Geesh,

The joys and pleasures of life on a boat...

Jonathan, our recently turned 13 year old, has been complaining of his clothes getting wet in the v-berth. Of course I immediately commented it is because it is soooo cold outside and it is condensation. I tell him to keep his clothes away from the outside hull surface and to take better care of his stuff if he doesn't want it to get ruined. You know, the -- I’m the grownup you are the kid -- logic.

Well, after looking around in the v-berth today, I realize it is wayyyy too wet for only condensation to be the cause. The anchor locker is in the tip, bow of the boat, with the v-berth under and behind it. So, I go up on deck and open the anchor locker door. Guess what??? The anchor locker is completely full of water! Right up to the top. Geesh. No wonder the v-berth is so wet. A little more rain and/or a big rock&roll from the wake of a passing boat and the water runs in to the v-berth due to the opening under the hull-deck joint. The anchor locker is well-sealed from the v-berth, except in the two corners up under the hull to deck joint.

Fortunately today is nicer than it has been for many many days. It is still well below normal, but the wind has stopped blowing. Anyway, I pulled all the rode, chain and 3-strand, out of the locker and found a small stick that I could poke through the two drain holes and unplug them.

Helpful hint to our fellow liveaboards…  

It might be a good idea to open up any lockers and lazzorettes you have and see if they have turned into a bathtub.

Rob