www.iFourWinns.com :: View topic - Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258

Hoping someone can help with suggestions for tacking this one down
For the past 2 months the front cabin wells have been filling with fresh water.
There are 2 side wells and a center well that they drain to. The port side and center well contain water, but the starboard side (bathroom sink and shower) is always dry.

I usually turn off the water pump and pressure down the system when leaving the boat for any extended period (1month). Despite doing that the water keeps coming, and the center well has been filling with fresh water at about a quart a day.

We live in the Pacific NW and sailboat owners insist it is probably a deck leak which is allowing rain water (plenty of that here in winter) down the sides and into the wells. Going against that is that nothing is wet from the celling to the walls. Also since draining most of the water tank (draining out the sink faucet) the water is accumulating much less.

I am fearful the tank could be leaking, but have no idea where to find the leak or the tank (both 248 and 268's have the holding tank at the stern, but cannot find where the tank is located for the 258)

Appreciate any suggestions.

Wow!
The 2006 manual does not have this diagram. It has the setup for the 248 and the 268 (all starboard side tanks), but not the 258. Never would have thought to look in the 2005 manual!

I was suspicious it was all port side as I can access the pump from the stairs in the cabin (port side), but had no idea where the tank was. The diagram seems to locate it under closet storage in the bedroom. I never would have thought of that!

I'll post what I find.

Thanks so much for your reply.

Well,
The tank and surrounding area is dry.
The water pump and connecting pipes are dry.
Can't believe that 7 gallons of fresh water came from the anchor well or leaking hull hardware in a 2 months time frame.

Interestingly the shower sump is dead, but haven't used the shower in months, and I believe in the 258 the shower is the only "dirty" water that flows to the sump.

I'm going to fill the water tank and take her out for a shakedown.

We did do a test where I took everything out of the anchor well and left a hose running inside for 5 minutes. All of the water seemed to escape from the drains, but pulling things out sounds like the next step as all the hoses and the water tank have been exposed and there is absolutely no leak from them.

I did install a forward bilge pump today, so at least I won't have to deal with 6 gallons of water there anymore!

Is fiberglass the best way to seal? I can't find a crack, but it has to be there.

Author:	gejfay [ Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
Hoping someone can help with suggestions for tacking this one down For the past 2 months the front cabin wells have been filling with fresh water. There are 2 side wells and a center well that they drain to. The port side and center well contain water, but the starboard side (bathroom sink and shower) is always dry. I usually turn off the water pump and pressure down the system when leaving the boat for any extended period (1month). Despite doing that the water keeps coming, and the center well has been filling with fresh water at about a quart a day. We live in the Pacific NW and sailboat owners insist it is probably a deck leak which is allowing rain water (plenty of that here in winter) down the sides and into the wells. Going against that is that nothing is wet from the celling to the walls. Also since draining most of the water tank (draining out the sink faucet) the water is accumulating much less. I am fearful the tank could be leaking, but have no idea where to find the leak or the tank (both 248 and 268's have the holding tank at the stern, but cannot find where the tank is located for the 258) Appreciate any suggestions.

Author:	TFD2001 [ Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
gejfay wrote: Hoping someone can help with suggestions for tacking this one down For the past 2 months the front cabin wells have been filling with fresh water. There are 2 side wells and a center well that they drain to. The port side and center well contain water, but the starboard side (bathroom sink and shower) is always dry. I usually turn off the water pump and pressure down the system when leaving the boat for any extended period (1month). Despite doing that the water keeps coming, and the center well has been filling with fresh water at about a quart a day. We live in the Pacific NW and sailboat owners insist it is probably a deck leak which is allowing rain water (plenty of that here in winter) down the sides and into the wells. Going against that is that nothing is wet from the celling to the walls. Also since draining most of the water tank (draining out the sink faucet) the water is accumulating much less. I am fearful the tank could be leaking, but have no idea where to find the leak or the tank (both 248 and 268's have the holding tank at the stern, but cannot find where the tank is located for the 258) Appreciate any suggestions. Looks like your water tank is on the port side, about the middle of the boat, and the water pump is forward of that. I found your owners manual on the Fourwinns site, it's at: http://www.fourwinns.com/content/assets ... Manual.pdf Page 97 shows your water tank location, and describes how to access it.. My guess is you have a bad line, or tank, or a loose connection.. I had a water tank once that cracked around the water pump connection fitting, and caused similar leaking. I used a below water line epoxy on it, and was able to fix the problem without having to pull and replace the tank..

Author:	gejfay [ Sun Feb 03, 2013 1:17 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
Wow! The 2006 manual does not have this diagram. It has the setup for the 248 and the 268 (all starboard side tanks), but not the 258. Never would have thought to look in the 2005 manual! I was suspicious it was all port side as I can access the pump from the stairs in the cabin (port side), but had no idea where the tank was. The diagram seems to locate it under closet storage in the bedroom. I never would have thought of that! I'll post what I find. Thanks so much for your reply.

Author:	jnizi [ Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
The other thing I would look at is a gap in the rub rail where water can migrate. We had that issue a few years ago. If you can get to viewing the interior hull, you would see drips. Just another idea. A few drops of food coloring in you fresh water tank should also help in determining where is coming from. Once water is free and moving within the hull, it is amazing where it shows up. Good luck.

Author:	TFD2001 [ Sun Feb 03, 2013 2:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
gejfay wrote: Wow! The 2006 manual does not have this diagram. It has the setup for the 248 and the 268 (all starboard side tanks), but not the 258. Never would have thought to look in the 2005 manual! I was suspicious it was all port side as I can access the pump from the stairs in the cabin (port side), but had no idea where the tank was. The diagram seems to locate it under closet storage in the bedroom. I never would have thought of that! I'll post what I find. Thanks so much for your reply. Thought I had grabbed the 2006 manual, but guess not, none the less, I found the same diagram in the 2006 manual on the Four Winns site.. Page 97 again: http://www.fourwinns.com/content/assets ... -Vista.pdf

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Author:	Paul I. [ Mon Feb 04, 2013 11:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
I have the same boat but a 2007. Note that your water fill is on the port side too. That should have clued you to were the tank was. Also look under the steps, there you should find the water pump. Make sure ther are no leaks there too. Since the tank is higher than the pump be careful if you clean the filter. One thing you can try to see if the leak is after the pump. Turn the pump on and wait, if it turns on again say in a 15 to 30min time frame than the system lost pressure. You have a leak.

Author:	gejfay [ Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:16 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
Well, The tank and surrounding area is dry. The water pump and connecting pipes are dry. Can't believe that 7 gallons of fresh water came from the anchor well or leaking hull hardware in a 2 months time frame. Interestingly the shower sump is dead, but haven't used the shower in months, and I believe in the 258 the shower is the only "dirty" water that flows to the sump. I'm going to fill the water tank and take her out for a shakedown.

Author:	Paul I. [ Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:03 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
gejfay wrote: Well, The tank and surrounding area is dry. The water pump and connecting pipes are dry. Can't believe that 7 gallons of fresh water came from the anchor well or leaking hull hardware in a 2 months time frame. Interestingly the shower sump is dead, but haven't used the shower in months, and I believe in the 258 the shower is the only "dirty" water that flows to the sump. I'm going to fill the water tank and take her out for a shakedown. You are correct on the dirty water. On the sump pump, there are 2 sets of connectors (at least on mine) the 2nd set has clear tubes over them to keep the water out. On my boat, the turned GREEN and the pump stopped working. I "think" its part of the bilge pump circut. I turned off my batteries and it still worked. Why they don't use marine wire, I just don't know.

Author:	SuzaFan [ Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
gejfay wrote: Hoping someone can help with suggestions for tacking this one down For the past 2 months the front cabin wells have been filling with fresh water. There are 2 side wells and a center well that they drain to. The port side and center well contain water, but the starboard side (bathroom sink and shower) is always dry. I usually turn off the water pump and pressure down the system when leaving the boat for any extended period (1month). Despite doing that the water keeps coming, and the center well has been filling with fresh water at about a quart a day. We live in the Pacific NW and sailboat owners insist it is probably a deck leak which is allowing rain water (plenty of that here in winter) down the sides and into the wells. Going against that is that nothing is wet from the celling to the walls. Also since draining most of the water tank (draining out the sink faucet) the water is accumulating much less. I am fearful the tank could be leaking, but have no idea where to find the leak or the tank (both 248 and 268's have the holding tank at the stern, but cannot find where the tank is located for the 258) Appreciate any suggestions. Hi, It definitely seems that water is coming from the anchor compartment (rain). I had the same problem, dismounted the front cushon, removed the mirror and made a test... Water was coming from there. I cleaned the compartment, put one more layer of fiber glass allover inside... Since then - bone dry. I heared from my local dealer that it is the common problem... BRG

Author:	gejfay [ Sat Feb 09, 2013 12:19 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
We did do a test where I took everything out of the anchor well and left a hose running inside for 5 minutes. All of the water seemed to escape from the drains, but pulling things out sounds like the next step as all the hoses and the water tank have been exposed and there is absolutely no leak from them. I did install a forward bilge pump today, so at least I won't have to deal with 6 gallons of water there anymore!

Author:	SuzaFan [ Sat Feb 09, 2013 3:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
gejfay wrote: We did do a test where I took everything out of the anchor well and left a hose running inside for 5 minutes. All of the water seemed to escape from the drains, but pulling things out sounds like the next step as all the hoses and the water tank have been exposed and there is absolutely no leak from them. I did install a forward bilge pump today, so at least I won't have to deal with 6 gallons of water there anymore! Lift the carpet (the one below the front V cushion in the compartment) a bit while checking, it will give you better view. I would even bet that it is the same problem as mine

Author:	ric [ Sat Feb 09, 2013 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
Anchor locker. Stingray might suck, but they actually installed a drain for it! Insanity! You can see it on the starboard side in the pics. Glad they got ONE thing right.

Author:	Paul I. [ Sun Feb 10, 2013 8:06 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
gejfay wrote: Well, The tank and surrounding area is dry. The water pump and connecting pipes are dry. Can't believe that 7 gallons of fresh water came from the anchor well or leaking hull hardware in a 2 months time frame. Interestingly the shower sump is dead, but haven't used the shower in months, and I believe in the 258 the shower is the only "dirty" water that flows to the sump. I'm going to fill the water tank and take her out for a shakedown. Stupid question, do you have water under the engine right know? Just before the gas tank, facing the engine. There is a high spot there! If the water get high enough it will drain into the foward bilge. Than I would run the pumps & get the water out BUT. because of that high spot the water could not drain back. ALWAYS leaving water behind. I only mention this because I was washing the deck with soap & found the same soap foward. At that time I though it was coming from the shower.

Author:	gejfay [ Sun Feb 10, 2013 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
I think SuzaFan is correct. Having exposed the water tank, water pump, and all hoses no leak was found. Today, noted the rug under the front V cushion is wet. The very front of the boat just shy of the anchor well. Hard to believe this could account for 6 gallons in 2 months, but heck this is the NorthWest!! We average 7 inches of rain a month for Nov/Dec/Jan. Is fiberglass the best way to seal? I can't find a crack, but it has to be there.

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Author:	NiagaraChillin [ Mon Feb 11, 2013 1:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Fresh Water leak in 2006 Vista 258
gejfay wrote: Is fiberglass the best way to seal? I can't find a crack, but it has to be there. Search the forums here for anchor locker leaks. Lots of folks experience this (usually Sundowners) and lots of remedies have been posted. Good luck!