I know my boat is different but it may help to know that when I found the slice in the port after deck drain it first caused dampness in the port cockpit locker making all spare lines wet. It then puddled in the engine compartment prior to going to bilge. Only noticed it after a raining or seldom deck scrubbing. On my 30, the cockpit locker lids have drain hole under them but they drain into the cockpit. Never been a problem there but they are easy to monitor. As mentioned before, if you know it’s going to rain, place paper towel sheets at strategic places in those area and see if it’ll give you a hint where it’s coming from. You’ll find it, stick with it.
I concur with your approach of keeping our bilges clean and using soapy water and a wet/dry vac to keep 'em that way. That also help keeps nasty smells from forming from the biological experiment that can grow down there…
I’m sure all good Nonsuchers know this, but for anyone tempted to use their bilge pump and detergent to clean up the mess, note that this is illegal under the Clean Water Act and subjects any violator who discharges oil to a $10,000 fine and for any soapy oily water discharge in particular to a hefty $25,000 fine. This goes for ANY navigable waters of the United States or within the Contiguous Zone (24 miles) of US shores.
Here is a flyer from the National Marine Manufacturers Association regarding the pollution law.
I did see a boater get arrested, handcuffed and taken in by the USCG for not reporting a spill of diesel fuel in a Marina here so they do take this very seriously.
Michael Jabara
HOBBES II - 1995 NS 354
San Rafael, CA
