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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

cockpit locker hatch

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indecentseas
1st Mate

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Canada
67 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/17/2014 : 16:47:35

I'd like to stop water from entering through the cockpit into my main cabin. I think I have identified the problem. I suspect one of the access doors to my port cockpit locker. There are two access doors to the locker on the port side. One to stern which seems fine and one closer to the middle on the port side, which is the problem hatch.

I have two questions:
1. Is this access hatch stock on a '78?
2. Any suggestions on making it watertight or otherwise keeping the water out.

Here are two photos of the hatch, closed and open.

What is happening is I get a great deal of water in the bilge. On my boat the bilge pump is located under the astern dinette bench. The mystery for me has been where is it coming from. It looks like the rain water gets in through the cockpit into the cockpit locker below. There is a hole at the fore end of the cockpit locker that allows the water to come into the main cabin. When I pull out the two drawers under my sink I can see the water sitting there. When enough water gets in it rises to a passageway which is visible when I open the cupboard door under the stove. From here it flows to its endpoint under the dinette seat. We get quite a bit of water in there. This is, after all, Vancouver.

I'm not certain how the water is getting in through the cockpit but I am pretty sure it is. This hatch is the main suspect. As you can see from the photos, water sits in the rim. There is a plastic gasket on the "door" but I suspect it is ineffective.

I'd also appreciate knowing what others do for a bilge pump. The location of ours seems silly. You need quite a bit of water onboard before it gets into the area below the dinette seat.

Thank you all for your help in addressing my many leaks.

David Hopkins
Vancouver, British Columbia
'78 Swing Keel, Standard Rig, Dinette
#534

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2014 : 17:57:12

It looks like a mod to me, but I don't know and think I see the problem. The inner lip of the opening is lower than the seat. You need a way for water to drain from the depression into the cockpit. Holes fore and aft from the bottom of the depression to the wall of the footwell should fix it. You will probably need to devise a connecting tube, but look from underneath to determine what it will take.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2014 : 18:31:44

Certainly looks like a mod - but I don't see the original dumpster hatch . . .

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2014 : 19:07:32

I also think it's a mod. Could it be leaking around the hatch rim where the hatch assembly rests on the bench seat? Maybe pull it out and re-seal?

If that's not it I'd look around for a new hatch to replace the one you have or maybe a newer version of the same hatch that might have some improvements done to it over the years to make it more watertight.

Beyond that the only thing else you could do is have a canvas cover that could be snapped in place over the hatch to keep the rain out.

My 2 cents worth which is worth about as much.

If you can't find

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2014 : 20:29:32

If you decide to rebed the hatch cover to the seat, try sealing it with polysulfide caulk rather than silicone or 5200. For one, it works great and remains pliant for years, and if you ever want to remove the hatch you can, and you won't have a big mess on your hands. Look for some gasket material you can cut to shape and size for the hatch door itself.
Finally, I don't think this thing is the whole problem. Your windows, shroud chainplates and railing/lifeline stanchions can be as much a contributor to water in the bilge. Or a cracked swing keel stub. I guess you have to observe the leaks while its raining or get a buddy to soak different areas with a hose and watch what happens.
Good luck on this. Water is very destructive. Do you have an electric bilge pump or only a manual one? The former could make a big difference.

Edited by - on

indecentseas
1st Mate

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Canada
67 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2014 : 23:54:32

Gary, I think your idea is the simplest. Get a piece of canvas to keep water off the lip. As Dave pointed out the lip is lower than the bench itself. There is no easy way to have water flow out of the lip.

I'm still interested to know what others are doing for bilge and bilge pump. My bilge pump is electrical and, as outlined, is under the aft dinette bench. This is not a great spot because it is "up river". Perhaps I should locate it under the drawers. That seems closer to a low point In fact, I think the original manual bilge may have sucked water out of this area which is close to the keel.

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