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Water leak in the Bow (rain H2o)

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cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/05/2010 : 06:35:34

Guys:
Good morning from St. Helens!
I went down to the marina to check on my boat last night and discovered the inside of the cabin dripping with condensation we have had some very warm days here for Oregon. Upon further investigation I saw found the carpet was soaked and I pulled up the floor board over the hull where the keel is attached. I sponged bailed out about 3 gallons of water. As near as I can tell I have a water leak in the very bow of boat up under the anchor locker. I removed the small teak plate and one of screw holes was leaking water. My question where is it coming from? I can see where water has run down the inside of the cabin right under this small teak plate. I looked all over the inside of the anchor locker and can’t see any signs of damage that would allow water to enter. I open the plastic access hole in the very front of the anchor locker and very thing is dry inside. The forward hatch seal is in pretty good repair as well. I am wondering if it’s the fresh water access. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Craig

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2010 : 07:09:28

Both of these threads reference leak sources that might be the source of your problem, as well as remedies for them:

http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22437

http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21225

Edited by - TakeFive on 11/05/2010 07:10:17

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2010 : 08:59:57

Get a piece of chalk and draw lines on the hull between the places you suspect and the bilge. Get on deck with a hose and start spraying. (Maybe a good time for a wash down anyway) Then go check the chalk lines and see which of them has been washed away by water.

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cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2010 : 10:59:41

John: I will try the chalk line tonight. I know the leak is not coming from the mask step and I am fairly sure not from the hatch as the cushions are wet right below it. More investigation tonight along with a box fan to dry things out. Thanks,

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2010 : 11:45:35

While your in the neighborhood of the mast step see how watertight the antenna/light plugs next to the mast are. Take one of the lights next to the compression post off and "rain" on the plugs a bit. See if it drips.

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cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 11/19/2010 : 17:04:47

John:
Wouldn’t you expect to have some about of water in the bilge if rain is getting into the mast and running through the compression post? There are the two slots in the mast for the baby shrouds that would be access points for water. Over the past 3 weeks the bilge has filled with about ¾ of gallon of water. The top of my compression post is bone dry with evidence of any water getting in; no discoloration or swelling. I am going to wrap the base of the mast and tabernacle with plastic this week to see if that makes any difference.
For reference we have had ~10inches of rain in the last month.

Regards, Craig

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2010 : 15:18:52

I also have a mysterious leak. The bilge was always bone dry while I was in the water. Boat is on the trailer, fairly level, the leak is definitely not the forward hatch or the companionway. I rebed the mast step in May, replaced and rebed the deck light connector, no leaks from the overhead light near the compression post inside. I'm wondering about the anchor locker drain, not easy to get to inside. Guess I need to spend the next rainy day inside the boat. The port in the lav is not a tight seal but wouldn't cause this amount of water in the bilge.

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cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2010 : 14:56:15

I stood in the rain over the weekend at my boat and observed there are many points of entry for wafer in the mast; the attachment points for the baby shrouds, the attachment points for the main shrouds, there is a fairly large slot in the mast the halyards. When I pulled up the floor panels there appears to be a drain hole in the mold of the hull right under the compression post, this hole drains right into the bilge. Its diameter is small enough that you can get much light up it or even get a mirror in the right position to see inside. I plan to tape off all the holes in the mast I can reach and then dry out the bilge and just watch over the upcoming weeks to see if I had any impact.

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2010 : 15:25:35

Holes in the mast should have no effect on water in the bilge. There is no connection between the inside of the mast and the inside of the boat. As long as the compression post is bedded properly where it enters the deck no water can enter from the mast.

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bill bosworth
Navigator

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USA
172 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2010 : 16:51:25

Craig;
A few years ago I had a leak from the anchor locker, I found it to be a crack in the nylon thru hull fitting for the anchor locker drain. There is an access plate in the bow of my boat that allowed me to access this part. It seems that the nylon thru hull fittings don't handle the sun all that well. I have also had to rebed the bases of my life lines stansions, but otherwise she has been a very dry boat.
Hope that's of some help..
Bill
C250wb #134 Serendipity
on Kerr lake, NC

Edited by - on

cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2010 : 13:45:30

Steve & Bill: Thanks, I am going to have to get some photos out as they will show more clearly what I talking about. Its 15 degrees here today so I don't have to worry about rain. Have a great Thanksgiving. Craig

Edited by - cwstrang on 11/24/2010 15:12:58

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2010 : 15:07:58

Steve's right, holes in the mast have no effect but the holes in the DECK right next to the mast where the antenna and power lines come through might.

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2010 : 16:21:43

Craig, sorry about the weather. It was 80 here today with about 10 kts of SE wind, I was rebuilding winches and waxing topsides wishing I was on the water. I'm hoping to be in the water next week but unfortunately I think the warm weather is about over, only in the 60's next week.

I checked the nylon fitting in the anchor locker and saw no easy way to get to it for replacement or rebedding. Rain expected Friday so maybe I can find the leak.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2010 : 16:41:10

Craig, Why wait for rain, fill the anchor locker up with a hose and start looking. We used to repair floats on sea-planes and we found the easiest way to find a leak was fill the suspect compartment up with water and wait/watch.

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cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2010 : 16:50:08

Steve and Wayne: Thanks, I more time I spend hunting around for the source of this leak the more I am coming back to the anchor locker. I thought I was onto something with this hole under the compression post but I found out this weekend it just runs forward into the storage area in the bow. I managed to get a look under the water tank and found some standing water. I think I am going to fill the anchor locker with water but die it with food coloring. Weather wise, we are hoving in the 40s after a week in the teens. This time of year there seems to be very little breeze on the Columbia River. The weekend here is suppose to be in the mid 40s and sun shine. Just might get out even if just to motor around a bit! Have a great week. Craig

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2010 : 11:45:12

Craig, let me know what you find. I've isolated my leak to somewhere forward, anchor locker seems to be the most likely.

Edited by - on

cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2010 : 17:32:17

Steve: Greetings from the great north wet. Over the weekend I did discover that there is a tube that run under the compression post and allow water to drain from the bow to the bilge. It was dry over the weekend so I had a chance to really air out the cabin. Tonight I am rigging up a test to see if the water is indeed coming from the anchor locker which I agree with you it sure looks like it is. I thought about taking heavy plastic and taping off the entire lid but when looking at it that didn't seem practical given how water drains along the hatch cover. I hope to know in the next 24-48 hours as rain is back in our forecast.

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frejoh
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2011 : 21:04:27

Had a bit of water again recently on the vee berth under the hatch. Not the first time, and probably due to the big snows we had here week of JAN 10, which did not melt away quickly. What I found before was that the gutter or channel around the hatch was not draining properly forward into the anchor locker, where a thru-hull then allows it to drain overboard. Biggest help seemed to be putting rock ballast (in bags and shrink wrapped from Home Depot) underneath the vee berth. Many have recommended this to correct weather helm and improve handling, but it also seemed to level the boat better and allow drainage forward. I notice from your photo that you have pedestal steering; have you added forward ballast to counter that additional weight aft? What did your testing reveal?
I also have a recurring problem with water seeping under the bulkhead between the aft berth and the battery compartment. I still haven't found how the water gets into the compartment, where it builds up until it flows over and seeps underneath. I am considering a bead of silicone caulk along the base of the bulkhead to seal the rather weak vinyl gasket. Has anyone addressed this problem, or found the source of water in the battery compartment? Is silicone caulk an acceptable material for such an application?

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Salvation
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2011 : 21:23:25

You might want to check the mount for your wheelhouse. I had a leak in the same area. Used some clear, marine grade silicone and sealed around the base of the wheelhouse as well as the bolt heads. Haven't leaked a drop since...

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superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2011 : 21:32:58

Craig: Add ballast (if the boat is in the water) or lower the nose of it (if on a trailer) and your V-berth leak should go away.

Fred: Leaking in the battery compartment may be due to a worn rudder boot. Had the same problem. Replaced the boot this winter and BINGO! no more water in this area.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2011 : 21:40:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by frejoh
...I also have a recurring problem with water seeping under the bulkhead between the aft berth and the battery compartment. I still haven't found how the water gets into the compartment, where it builds up until it flows over and seeps underneath. I am considering a bead of silicone caulk along the base of the bulkhead to seal the rather weak vinyl gasket. Has anyone addressed this problem, or found the source of water in the battery compartment? Is silicone caulk an acceptable material for such an application?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Two other possible sources, which may or may not be relevant to you. For boats with the Edson pedestal steering, the rubber boot on the transom is subject to wear/tearing and needs to be replaced periodically. I used duct tape as a temporary seal, which worked through the season. I have a replacement ready to install prior to launch this spring.

Also, have a look at any stereo speakers. A previous owner installed flush mount in the coamings at the stern near the cockpit floor. They are exposed to the weather, and I got water in there every time it rained - until I duct taped plastic sheet over them as a stopgap fix. That's another one that's on the list for a permanent fix.

The leaking around the pedestal would bring water into the aft berth in front of the bulkhead. So while it could be a source of leakage, it would not leak behind the bulkhead.

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frejoh
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2011 : 20:16:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by superbob
[Fred: Leaking in the battery compartment may be due to a worn rudder boot. Had the same problem. Replaced the boot this winter and BINGO! no more water in this area.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is the rudder boot just for pedestal steering boats? We have a tiller. I have also suspected the boot which covers the wiring from the outboard to the battery, but can't figure how water would find its way in. Have considered a new, better boot or a PVC clamshell to cover top half of opening.

We have no cockpit speakers, but have considered installing them below the cockpit seats ( not the catbird seats, though, as some have) I found rubber gasket sheets at the hardware store, thinking we could seal the opening with that. Would hate to create more leaks!

Edited by - frejoh on 03/01/2011 20:19:51

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2011 : 20:42:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by frejoh
Is the rudder boot just for pedestal steering boats?...

...We have no cockpit speakers, but have considered installing them below the cockpit seats ( not the catbird seats, though, as some have) I found rubber gasket sheets at the hardware store, thinking we could seal the opening with that. Would hate to create more leaks!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The rudder boot is ONLY for pedestal steering boats, since the de-facto "tiller" has to penetrate the transom. Your tiller goes over the transom.

I recently went back through the battery opening to do some wiring and got a close look at my speakers from behind. They are fully waterproof, and I expect all marine speakers to be that way also. However, the grills are a replacement of something that was mounted there before, and some of the screw holes do not have screws. I believe that may be a source of intrusion, and will plug those holes in the spring. After that I do not think a plastic cover or gasket will be needed. I suggest you use an appropriate caulk to seal it off. But do not use 5200. That appears to be what my PO used, and I may never get those grills off without damaging the fiberglass.

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Carol Baker
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2011 : 20:03:48

Hi, I have had these leaks, too, in my 2001 C250WK. I intend to weight the bow as suggested and follow the other suggestions. As for the leak in the battery compartment, I am currently experimenting with covering the cubbies aft in the cockpit to keep the rain out. The drain holes in the cubbies do not line up well and do not drain because they are below the floor of the cubbies. The water seems to pass down the crack where the floor of the cubby meets the wall of the cockpit. I theorize water passed from there down into the battery compartment. It has now been several months now and all is dry back there. If this works out I plan to seal that joint and relocated drain holes slightly higher---or just make some vinyl covers with snaps where I can see in to grab something or...not sure yet.
Many thanks for all your wisdom and happy Spring sailing.

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