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Water collecting in propane locker

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soulfinger
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/21/2008 : 21:22:00

A little background: We've had a bunch of problems with water in the cabin of our 2000 C250 WK. We've often had a wet aft cabin and/or rear battery compartment. Curiously, only once have we ever had water in the bilge!

I thought we had solved our problems when we started using a boom tent. Okay, really it's just a blue tarp that covers over the hatch area. For one, water coming off the hatch was funneling in to the back of the depth/speed readout on the outside of the starboard bulkhead, then making it in to the cabin. Like I said, boom tent seemed to solve that problem (for a while!).

We hadn't seen our boat for a while, but went down to the marina this weekend. I was dismayed to find a wet aft cabin, battery compartment, and wet (for the first time) bilge. After investigating, we found that the locker under the starboard cockpit seat was full to the top with water! Granted, we've seen water in their before, but never quite like this. Looking at the geometry of the hatch, it doesn't seem like rain should be able to get in there, but it certainly does. There's no drain on it, which is a bit curious.

Punchline: it's my theory that the water in the cabin may be getting in from that locker, by seaping around the fittings holding the hoses/wires/etc for the propane tank. Is that possible? Anybody seen this before? Any other likely culprits?

Sorry for my long-windedness but I wanted to give the full story. Any advice would be appreciated.

Edited by - on

ABYON
Deckhand

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Canada
11 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2008 : 21:47:42

I've had similar problems with my 2003 WB. Water in all the same places you describe. Although I get water in the cockpit lockers, they are not the source of the leaks into the battery compartment and aft cabin. The cockpit coaming compartments are the culprits in my case. Rainwater gets into them and works its way into the battery compartment. From the battery compartment the water flows under the aft bunk cushions then into the cabin or bilge. At this point, I'm giving serious consideration to glassing in the coaming compartments. The coaming pockets are conspicuously absent from the MKII version. For good reason I'm sure.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2008 : 22:31:03

I've never noticed any water penetration in my 1999 C250 WB. It's out in the rain all summer without any tarp to protect it. However it was stored on the trailer and I made sure to give it a slight angle (nose up). This summer it's going to be on a mooring ball, so I may have another story to tell.

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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2008 : 13:40:29

Do you have a canvas cover for the hatch going into the cabin ?

and if you get in the boat with a flash light and mirror (to look around corners) have somebody spray the boat with a hose .

Edited by - SEAN on 01/22/2008 13:41:32

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2008 : 14:31:02

Well, of course, the first thing to do is to fix the depth/speed device so it doesn't leak. Pull it off and re-bed it. We get a little water in the aft berth from leaks at the pedestal and pedestal guard. I'll need to re-bed those this spring. Otherwise no leaking at all in the boat including the coaming boxes. We do get a bit in the propane locker but nothing more than a cup full over a month of heavy rain. My guess would be that water is pouring off the tarp and overwhelming the locker cover's ability to handle it. Also make sure that the boat tilts slightly to the aft.

Ditto the idea of being inside and having a friend use a strong hose outside. In my opinion there is nothing more frustrating that a leak.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2008 : 17:43:13

My 03 also used to have water in lockers. I re-sealed per others suggestions on this site and now now more leaks.
Steve A

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2008 : 19:01:45

Another way to check for leaks is using a powerful flashlight. You can do it from both inside the boat and out. On a dark night have someone stand outside the boat where you think you might have a leak, then shine the light from the inside while having them watch for stray light. If necessary, reverse positions and have someone shine the light on suspect areas from the outside while you're inside.

We used to do this to find pin holes in shipping containers we were renovating down in FL. If it was daylight, simply close the doors & walk around inside looking for light. If it's dark, walk around inside with a flashlight, while someone on the outside watches. Worked pretty well.

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soulfinger
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2008 : 19:10:28

Thanks for everyone's input. I did re-seal the depth gauge---I found this stretchy tape stuff (might be silicone) that I was able to wrap around the back of it forming a water-tight gasket. I'll check on the coamings and the pedestal next time I. We do have a canvas cover for the hatch---it certainly helps, but I'm sure it can be overwhelmed by some of the deluges we get here in houston.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.