Tigercat's Got A Leak

G
gmandigo
Fri, May 18, 2012 6:01 PM

I posted the following on the Grady-White Owner's Forum; might has well
share with power catamaran owners, too!

The other day, while running across Tampa Bay (about 6:00pm, partly cloudy,
winds 10 knots and steady from the South, light chop on the bay), my 1997
F-26 Tigercat started to list to port. Because the wind was on the starboard
beam, I didn't think much of it and continued on ... about 20-22 knots. As
the list became greater, my crew moved to the starboard gunnel with no
noticeable difference. When we got into the channel and in the lee of 4
story condos and the list didn't improve, I turned around and headed for the
beach. We got to within 30 yards of the beach, in 3 feet of water, and set
the hook. By that time the aft part of the cockpit - port side - had about
half an inch of water. The next morning I saw the boat had righted herself
on her waterline marks and was almost dry (the toilet was full to the rim).
Twice, I have attempted to replicate the event with folks who are more
knowledgeable than I am and they cannot find the source of the water
intrusion.
I've run out of ideas. Any thoughts?

Guy

1997 Grady-White F-26 Tigercat

I posted the following on the Grady-White Owner's Forum; might has well share with power catamaran owners, too! The other day, while running across Tampa Bay (about 6:00pm, partly cloudy, winds 10 knots and steady from the South, light chop on the bay), my 1997 F-26 Tigercat started to list to port. Because the wind was on the starboard beam, I didn't think much of it and continued on ... about 20-22 knots. As the list became greater, my crew moved to the starboard gunnel with no noticeable difference. When we got into the channel and in the lee of 4 story condos and the list didn't improve, I turned around and headed for the beach. We got to within 30 yards of the beach, in 3 feet of water, and set the hook. By that time the aft part of the cockpit - port side - had about half an inch of water. The next morning I saw the boat had righted herself on her waterline marks and was almost dry (the toilet was full to the rim). Twice, I have attempted to replicate the event with folks who are more knowledgeable than I am and they cannot find the source of the water intrusion. I've run out of ideas. Any thoughts? Guy 1997 Grady-White F-26 Tigercat