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Leak questions

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froell56
Deckhand

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USA
14 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/02/2012 : 16:12:21

I'm trying to determine the source of a couple of leaks in my '77 C25 SK dinette version and would like to hear thoughts from others who may have experienced similar issues. The first leak is running down the inside of the hull on the port side under the aft dinette bench (see pic 1). It is a trickle and only occurs when the decks are wet, as when it is raining, etc. The PO said they thought the windows were leaking but I see no evidence of that at all. The only thing on deck in the area where it appears to be coming from is the genoa track on the very edge of the deck. I'm working on the assumption that the leak is from the bolts of the genoa track which I plan to re-bed over the winter.

Pictures here... http://c25lagniappe.shutterfly.com/pictures

I'm wondering about the nature of the interior liner of the cabin side and underside of the deck in that area. I assume that it is all one piece, in other words the interior surface IS the underside of the deck, and not some sort of liner that is seperate from the deck and cabin side structure. Can someone who has had the cabin windows out say for certain if it is one piece or two? I'm wondering if it is possible that this water is traveling from somewhere else.

Water seems to pool in the area at the midships end of the space under the aft dinette seat (see pic 2). I have been assuming that this comes from the leak mentioned above, but it could just as easily come from somewhere forward of that spot, another leak that I have no visibility to.

The other leak location is on the port side under the V berth. Like the dinette area water trickles down the inside of the hull and pools in the bottom of the space under the berth. No water drips into the berth area above the platform. Here the likely culprits seem to be the front end of the genoa track and/or a stanchion.

Last winter I re-bedded three stanchions on the starboard side, cabin top winch and handrails. This time I plan to do all the rest of the deck hardware but I'm really not looking forward to those genoa tracks. Heavens there are lot of bolts in those things! I'd love to hear from anyone who has done that job and has words of advice. Thanks!

S/V Lagniappe; West Linn, OR
'77 Cat 25 #136 SK/SR
Sailing the Columbia River

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2012 : 08:37:43

Get a piece of chalk and draw a line around the hull inside the boat. Then, wait for rain or get a hose and rinse the deck. Water running through the chalk line will help you narrow down the source of the leak.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2012 : 10:53:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 Get a piece of chalk and draw a line around the hull inside the boat. Then, wait for rain or get a hose and rinse the deck. Water running through the chalk line will help you narrow down the source of the leak.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

keep in mind that while the water from the leak will travel downhill, it may not mean a direct downward path, rather some sideways component as well. follow the wet path all the way to the origin. I have yet to try the chalk method....so far all leak locations have been very obvious.

Edited by - Ape-X on 11/03/2012 16:47:16

JKBIXBY
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2012 : 21:10:45

I replaced the 35 year old rub rail and channel. Took care of all but two leaks that should be resolved when I rebed two windows.
Best of luck

Edited by - on

binky
Navigator

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USA
115 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2012 : 08:48:47

I like the chalk idea of detecting leaks.

I have a couple minor window leaks (1983 model). Any suggestions on removing and rebeding these "glass" windows?

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2012 : 11:59:22

binky, we have a cat27 owner at our marina that was unsuccessful first try with the catalina direct kit. Second window, he used much more "goop" sealing to the glass, and ended up buying an additinoal tube. I have the kit and will be resealing in the spring.

Anyone else here have hints on the cd kit? (note to self: check tech tips)

Edited by - on

mrapkins
Navigator

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USA
124 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2012 : 13:21:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by binky
 I like the chalk idea of detecting leaks.

I have a couple minor window leaks (1983 model). Any suggestions on removing and rebeding these "glass" windows?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Here is how I replaced my windows:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21699

Edited by - on

froell56
Deckhand

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USA
14 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2012 : 13:29:15

JKBIXBY, was your rub rail channel damaged? I'm planning to replace the rubber portion but don't see any reason to replace the channel just yet, assuming I can get it off without damage. What type of sealant did you use under the channel when your replaced it?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2012 : 18:51:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by froell56
 ...I'm wondering about the nature of the interior liner of the cabin side and underside of the deck in that area. I assume that it is all one piece, in other words the interior surface IS the underside of the deck, and not some sort of liner that is seperate from the deck and cabin side structure...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You assume incorrectly. There are fundamentally four fiberglass moldings: The hull, the exterior deck, the cabin overhead liner, and the cabin floor pan (including the "furniture"). Between the deck and the overhead liner is plywood core to stiffen the deck under foot. I think the cabin sides (around the windows) were left void some years, foam cored other years, and I don't know what else.

Windows, genoa tracks, and stanchion bases are probably the most common sources of leaks. The windows ("deadlights") often leak behind the overhead liner down around the floor-pan into the bilge. There are many threads here--use Search above looking for "window" and "leak" in the C-25 forum. You'll be inundated with discussions.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 11/05/2012 19:00:57

sailboat
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2012 : 09:20:22

This might be a stretch but we had the same water "leaks" on our 1980 SK dinette version. Water in the aft dinette area and in the V-berth. It was much more prevalent after sailing, even on a sunny day. Long story short, the water tank on the stbd side had a small leak in the bottom fitting at the aft end of the tank. I replaced that fitting and the boat is now bone dry. If your tank is not leaking...go to the chalk idea.

Edited by - on

froell56
Deckhand

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USA
14 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2012 : 11:58:42

Thanks to all who have replied and offered suggestions. I have done the chalk idea long ago and it confirmed where the water was running down the inside of the hull. It didn't reveal anything that I didn't already know but it was a useful exercise.

My only question has been exactly where the water was entering. Thanks Stinkpotter for the info on the deck/headliner construction. Seems my assumptions were wrong so I will focus first on resealing the deadlights and see what the results are before looking at the rubrail. I still have stanchions to re-bed and will probably address the genoa tracks too.

Edited by - on

JKBIXBY
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 18:06:27

Apparently the channel used on 77's isn't available anymore. Was going to replace only the damaged channel but did the whole thing and am glad I did it that way.
One less thing to worry about. We did most all the upgrades we had wanted to do while she was out of the water.

Edited by - on

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