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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Topside leaks

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4handreel
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/31/2005 : 09:55:31

I've discovered multiple rainwater leaks into the cabin in my '05 250 (#847). One is around a starboard cabin-top stanchion and should be an easy fix. Others are around the fresh water fill and waste fittings, and I have evidence of problems with the deck-to-hull joint, tho I can't pinpoint the points (plural is correct) of entry. Has anyone else had similar problems with a new 250? The dealer is accepting responsibility under warranty, but from the sheer number of sites of leakage (esp. at the deck-to-hull), this looks like a major headache to repair. Any insight or comment would be appreciated.

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2005 : 12:58:58

I had two sources of leaks on my '03 #697 boat. One was the mast wiring deck connector near the base of the mast, and the other was inside the cockpit coaming pockets. The formed "pocket" has to be sealed where it mates with the backside of the coaming.

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4handreel
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2005 : 14:35:50

Thanks Al. Where did you see the water coming in or accumulating when it was leaking through the coaming pocket? One place I'm noticing water accumulating is just forward of the battery box, behind the lip just inside the aft hatch to the battery/steering compartment. It looked like it was coming in either around the aft cleat on the port side or possibly the stanchion for the transom seat, but the amount of water I'm getting would make more sense if it was being funneled in thru the coaming pocket - not the best line of sight down there, with the holding tank in the way.

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Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2005 : 17:20:23

One thing you might do is remove the aft bulkhead (the one with the battery hatch in it). It's only held in with a few screws and will enable you to crawl in there with a flashlight and a small mirror and investigate (although I don't know how a holding tank might complicate things). I haven't had my head in there for a while, so I don't remember exactly where I saw water dripping, but when I described it to my dealer, the first thing he checked was for sealant in the coaming pocket, and there wasn't any, just a gap where water could get in.

I don't know if Catalina normally puts sealant there, maybe the fit is better on most boats and they don't need it. But, bottom line, it's a quick, inexpensive fix, even if just precautionary. If you do it, don't just seal the bottom part of the pocket, but run a bead of sealant around the whole 360° of the coaming/pocket mating surface and work it in with your finger. I'm just guessing, but it seems a hull/deck seal problem would show up when when you're slogging through heavy seas, rather than when it's raining, but I'm really not that familiar with it.

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River Harley
Navigator

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132 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2006 : 02:06:11

Ditto on the leak from the wiring connector at the base of the mast. I had one there and also around one of the chainplates overhead in the cabin.

River Harley

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Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
856 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2006 : 17:15:57

The cockpit coaming pockets on my '04 250 (#793) also leaked. The water also accumulated near the battery box. I discovered this on a hot day after I washed down the cockpit. It's a simple fix to seal the coaming pockets, but use a mirror.

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4handreel
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2006 : 22:07:19

Thanks Russ, and everyone else. The big leak does appear to be around the coaming pocket. I still suspect the deck to hull joint for some of the others - dealer is working on it.

Thanks again!

Mark

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frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2006 : 08:10:23

This is an area where Catalina really drags its feet on some things. I contacted the company when my 2003 was leaking from the cockpit combing cubbys and they provided me with a "how to fix it" sheet that dates from 1981. See the link provided
http://members.gcnet.net/swampman/images/repair.jpg

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2006 : 21:45:19

I have tried the foam bit on our 04 250 and it will not seal. My cockpit lockers do not have level sides so putting foam on the edges doesn't help. Check the attached pictures and you can see the flat exterior, but tapered interior walls.

Anyone with a solution will be honored in our house.

Edited by - on

car1260
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2006 : 22:02:35

I had this problem on another boat. Instead of putting weather stripping on the edge lid, put the it on the inside of the lid. Position it so it comes into contact with the top edge of the cockpit locker. You may have to try different thickness's of stripping, but this might solve your problem.

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2006 : 03:23:33

RE: coaming pockets.I caulked the inside gap with silicon using a gun and my fingers and it stopped the leak completely.I then(with my wife at the sewing machine)fabricated covers,bought a snap kit at Lowes and covered the pockets with canvas.No water can get through.As far as the lazeretes,I used weather stripping (1 inch wide) where the lid meets the box.They should press thightly to each other when you close it.

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2006 : 03:28:17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.When I put the strips on,(1" wide) I made sure that the lid edges pressed tightly onto the foam stripping.Almost feels hard to shut the lid 2 or 3 times.Never a drop inside after that.Took alcohol first and cleaned the surface.I purchased it at an autoparts store.They use it between the beds of trucks for camper shells and tool chests.

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moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2006 : 08:08:00

How thick was your foam? I tried a 1/2 " thick varient and it never contacted both surfaces.

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2006 : 12:50:52

I used 3/8ths thick,but keep in mind that you put it where the lip of the lid meets the box.
It then forms a perfect seal,and makes it impossible for leakage to occur.1/2 might work better for your boat,as long as you feel the lid compress against the foam when you put it down.Let me know.........

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2006 : 23:57:58

Does someone have a picture of their fix that you post? I can not get mine to seal by placing the foam on the top of the opening. I've tried up to 3/4 and still no seal. On the lower portion the distance from the bottom to the cover is almost four inches.

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tizer2
1st Mate

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Canada
33 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2006 : 07:06:17

I bought a new 2005 Cat 250 WK in November, that is sitting on the hard in Ontario. When the boat was delivered, I noticed 8 inches of water in the port cockpit locker, and a small amount of water beside the battery box, for which I have not yet traced the source. (Boat is covered for the winter, and not in a hospitable environment for poking around.) Given the number of people that have commented on this problem, this appears to be either a design flaw or poor quality control. Has anyone spoken to Catalina recently and what is their response?

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moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2006 : 08:05:59

I have a 2005 WK and also cannot get a 'seal' using three layers of 3/8" foam. Am I missing something here? Anyone have any pictures of the installation?

By the way, my cockpit coaming 'pockets' also leak, silicon on the way!

Thanks,

Don

Edited by - on

stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 01/07/2006 : 12:52:16

moserd,
Do you put the foam under the place that the lid closes onto the box itself?
Don't put it around the lip of the box.Put it where the lid meets ,or should meet the box.It then becomes impossible for water to get inside.If you e-mail me direct,I can call you and explain.
Steve
stewendkos@cox.net

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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.