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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Cabin top leaks

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Albanker
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/05/2017 : 12:30:42

I have owned my 1992 WK since 2013. I have persistent small leaks from my cabin top. The water appears to come mostly from the 2 cutouts that hold cabin lights near the aft part of the cabin. The water is brownish tint. I have recemented all stancions, jib track screws, winch screws, and mast step ---I wonder if it could be from the tracks for the sliding cabin top where I might have small cracks I can't see. I have tried using a hose to find leak or leaks ????? The amount of water is maybe a cup or so from each side after a heavy rain. Any suggestions welcome

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2269 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2017 : 12:57:40

It's a common problem. When I was shopping for my C250, I looked at 6 or 8 of them, and every one had the same leak.

On my boat, the biggest source of the leak was the plug for the masthead lights. I replaced it with a brand new one and rebedded with 3M 4000 or 4200 (can't remember which) and the leak was eliminated. If I were to do it again, I would use Bed-It Butyl Tape. (Do not use any other brand, nothing else has the correct properties for marine environment. Trust me, you'll waste your time using stuff from the RV store or anything else.)

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape

I may have also had a smaller problem water coming through the compression post tabernackle. For those small crevices, a few applications of Cap'n Tolley's seemed to help. No need to remove anything or re-bed.

After those two fixes, there were never any further leaks.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Albanker
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2017 : 13:22:00

Thanks,I thought those areas could be a problem but there is a ceiling panel near the mast tabernacle and almost below the electrical plug you mentioned (a little to starboard of the mast tabernacle) and it is dry as a bone . Besides my hand I tried sticking a thin cloth further in and no moisture at all???

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2017 : 16:19:39

Any place you have a bracket, cable, brightwork, stanchion or screw you have an opportunity for a leak. Best bet is trace out the source and rebed the components. Some folks like polysulfide life caulk and others like butyl tape. Both are fine, just don't use 3M 5200 because while it promises a permanent solution, any leak the subsequently develops will ALSO be permanent.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Albanker
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2017 : 17:34:44

So sorry to bug you guys again but I left my boat here in Florida for 60 days and when I returned I have brown streaming marks running down from the small cover in the ceiling of the head above the Porti-potty. It ran down with multiple streaks and after evaporating left a brown tarnnish - almost tar-like residue on the floor. I have rebedded stanchions and have checked other attachments . Could it be coming from the rail grooves the cabin hatch slides in??? I know I don't have the tape others have mentioned in those grooves. ANY suggestions welcome!!!!!!
Thanks again for your time
Al

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2269 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2017 : 17:40:54

Winches? Clutches? Those would seem to be the most obvious ceiling penetrations in that area.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2017 : 18:12:14

Our nearly 60 year old Cal 25s have a few minor leaks and I put a 6X8' silver tarp on it with 4 bungees. It's better if you can find and stop the leak, but a tarp is an easy way to protect the boat from damage until you can find the leak. I found some leaks late last fall and the $6.00 tarp will protect it until I can caulk the leaks in the spring. I keep the tarp on it habitually, just as a precaution.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2018 : 11:27:39

To prevent, "overwintering", leaks, wet spots and "square", tires

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2018 : 11:37:50

Have good success with this product

Albanker
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2018 : 10:37:03

Thanks to all--- butyl tape is arriving today and I plan to rebed every single item !!!! Will let you know my results

Enrico
Deckhand

Members Avatar

Italy
3 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2018 : 03:00:01

Hi Folks,
This is Enrico and this is my first time in the forum.

I am the owner of a Catalina 250 WK (2005), #828, located in Italy, top north of the Garda Lake, a fantastic windy place.
I bought 2nd hand my C250 three years ago and this year I would like to carry out some maintenance jobs, and the priority is the top leaking.
My main leaking is coming through the open hatch placed on the top of the stern stowage lockers.
(not sute it's the proper name, please refer at the picture below)

Last year I sealed internally leaving the water discharge outlets open. The problem remained and I think the best option would be to seal completely also the outlets.
Have some of you done the same job on the boat?

Thanks in advance for your support

My Best Regards, Enrico

Edited by - Enrico on 02/16/2018 05:21:33

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2269 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2018 : 11:40:14

Welcome! It's a great place here for current and former owners.

Sealing the little outlet holes may make the problem worse, as it traps water in the cubbies.

Before you do anything more, make sure that's where the leak actually is. There are lots of other places it could be coming from (winches, stanchions, bulkhead penetrations), and it could be traveling within the hull. Put a hose on one area at a time. Or put in dyed water if needed.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Edited by - TakeFive on 02/16/2018 11:41:38

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2018 : 14:36:52

I wouldn't seal the drain holes, The compartments will fill with water if you do. The Plastic trim rings are held on with adhesive. No screws so a putty knife should be able to remove them then you can reseal them with new adhesive if you think this is the source of your leak.https://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/240_303/coaming-compartment-plastic-trim-rings-pair.cfm

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
833 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2018 : 21:35:22

Enrico,

The cockpit cubby hole leaks are a common problem. Mine leaked too.
The most common place to spot the leak is behind the aft cabin bulkhead.
Open the access door, where the battery is stored and you usually see water stains on the port or starboard side, aft of the cockpit cubbies.

Usually the leak is caused by loss of sealant inside the cubby itself.
You can fix the leak from the cockpit.
Use a mirror from the cockpit and look at the inside of the cubby.
Use caulk or some sealant and fill all the joints.
Let everything dry, the check with a water test.

Russ Johnson
2005 C250WB Hull 793

Enrico
Deckhand

Members Avatar

Italy
3 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2018 : 04:41:19

Thanks to all of you for your prompt welcome, feedback and suggestions.
I will let you know my next steps against the leakages.

Thanks and Best Regards

Enrico Lanzini
2005 C250WK Hull 828

Albanker
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2018 : 15:40:21

2 cabin top cam cleats were the problem. PO had not used stainless bolts and bolts were badly rusted. New cam cleats bedded in butyl and problem gone. Couldn�t believe so much water in past from those cleats!

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.