545/548 - Fresh water between Bilge area and keel plate

Print Page | Close Window

Fresh water between Bilge area and keel plate

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 545/548
Forum Description: 545/548 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14801
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 01:44
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Fresh water between Bilge area and keel plate

Posted By: Hdajani
Subject: Fresh water between Bilge area and keel plate
Date Posted: 27 August 2024 at 11:53

On the 548 (probably on other models), there is an area that is no accessible except from a small round hole behind the fuel selection valve in the bilge area. Sometime I find fresh water in that area.

The fresh water pump does not start and stop, which leads me to believe it is from either rain or washing. Even when I changed the anode in the heater, something I recommend everyone does every 1-2 years, the water that spilled from the heater below the galley ended up in that area leaving the bilge pump area completely dry.

It is around 20cm wide and in between keel plate and the bilge. Both sides are dry, except when it overfills, so it is the lowest point in the boat. It has just unfinished fiber glass at the bottom, which is alarming as I don't think it is good to keep it wet. Around 20 lts of water can be removed from there before even a drop shows in any bilge.

Anyone noticed such a problem before?

Replies:

Posted By: Wild
Date Posted: 30 August 2024 at 16:29

If you do a complete examination of the bilge I think you will find more of this area’s. We have a few like that (example under the shower’s.

Hanse design thinking = there are no watertight connections between the different parts of the grid to lead the water to the bilge pump , but if the water is high enough in this area’s it will run over the grid and finally in to the bilge with the automatic bilge pump 😩

-------------
Wild and Wet
Belgium
545e#268

Posted By: Barnacle_Bill
Date Posted: 10 January 2025 at 03:14

Sorry for the late reply, but on our 588, we have a similar issue and find the source of the fresh Water to be condensation from the use of our air conditioner.Hope this helps

Posted By: kuling73
Date Posted: 10 January 2025 at 05:47

Hi, I believe that the water comes from the water heater. When the water gets warm it expands and the pressure relief valve opens.

-------------
/Best regards Håkan. Hanse 342 #477

Posted By: Hdajani
Date Posted: 10 January 2025 at 07:30

Thanks for your replies. As an update, the water heater used to be a source of leak.

I changed the pressure valve on the heater with a new one and lowered the max temp. The result was much less water in the hull inaccessible are.

Our ACs are connected to the grey water sump containers, so no condensation from there.

The water tank does not leak when over filled and we have been keeping it at 80% anyway.

One area that is a source of fresh water is the cover above the generator under the STBD helm. This area open to any heavy rain, then eventually water finds its way to the area behind the garage then end up near the shaft.

Also, the mast can be a source although I did not assess how it will end up in the gap as there is a bilge pump under the mast that really is never on even in heavy rain as the amount of water that ends up there is insignificant.

The amount of water is not significant and is around 1-3L a month.

Please keep sharing your findings.

Posted By: cwcw
Date Posted: 25 April 2025 at 07:56

Is there any Hanse owner can kindly host me for an experiment sailing in Lisbon in the next wk? I own a Hanse 548T the only one in Hong Kong and would love to host anyone our in the folks. William