Hello All,

My boat is currently moored in the water and I've noticed that she seems to get 2 to 3 Gallons of water into the mid bilge area on a 24 hour period. This is the centreline bilge in the Engine Compartment and there are forward and Aft limber holes for water to flow forward and aft to the other bilges. I've done extensive investigation and ruled out the aft thruhulls, the rudders, the waste and fresh water tanks (all empty), the shaft packing don't leak at all and the raw water intake thruhulls for the heads aren't leaking, nor are the discharge pump.

The boat is in brackish water in the Fraser River in Vancouver and although there have been many days where it's been dry the water is still finding it's way into the bilge. It therefore isn't coming from rain from outside.

I've removed the batteries that sit on top of my center mid bilge and vacuumed and dried out the mid and forward and aft bilges. As a result I've been able to determine that the water egress appears to be coming thru a limber hole that is at the forward end of the mid bilge. I've determined that there is an 8" area running to the starboard and port of the boat before there is a 2nd limber hole to the forward Bilge area. Access to this 8" area doesn't appear to be easily available. I've inserted a flexible mini camera with mini LED lighting and although I cane see blurry images there is nothing clearly observable in terms of water coming from within this area.

After a longwinded explanation of what I've done my question is, moving forward, how do I get access into this area?

Do I have to figure out a good location to cut and access hole/panel to allow me to further explore? Are there ways to access the area surrounded by fibreglass stringers that anyone is familiar on woth a Carver 350 Aft Cabin?

I'm considering putting the boat on the hard to deal with some other maintenance issues but I've been advised unless there is damage to the hull outside that won't necessarily help in determining any leaks. Partly due to the fact that in the water there is significant pressure on the hull due to the weight of the boat in the water and that won't be the case if she's out of the water.

Any suggestions from those of you with more experience would be greatly appreciated. I've attached two photos of the limber hole that is the source of where the water is from.

Eric