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water in storage area

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Eric Dove
1st Mate

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37 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/09/2003 : 16:07:36

I have the interior with the settee table and benches extending from the port side hull. Every time there's a good rain, the compartment under the aft bench gets a lot of water in it, sometimes as much as 3 or 4 inches. I know it's definitely rainwater, since the boat stays on land between sails and I've bailed it right before hauling it before. I can't see a definite entry point anywhere and there doesn't seem to be anywhere else that water is accumulating...all other storage areas are dry. I haven't checked the bilge yet, but I don't think I've got water in there. Anyone else ever had this problem? Any thoughts?

Eric Dove on Adelaide 1983 SK TR

Eric Dove on Adelaide

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2003 : 16:15:51

my pop top cover leaks in the rain. This causes the port and starboard storage areas under the seats to get water. I drilled small holes so they would drain to the bilge. My companionway door leaks. This water accumulates on the floor by the galley. Both forward windows leak. I am planning to re-seal them. I keep a waterproof cover over the pop-top that snaps down and also covers the companion way. This stops most of the rain water.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2003 : 16:25:01

Even with the pop top down, there is often a gap between the gasket and the cabin roof which will allow rain to splash through, especially if the boat is parked angled up toward the bow. Windows can be easily sealed using auto windshield sealant on the rubber gaskets and glass (a thin bead spread with a digit has kept my windows leakproof for six seasons, and they used to leak like sieves before that). Also, if your fresh water tank is on that side, check it for cracks or loose fittings. I think you have the holding tank to port as with the trad layout, and if that were leaking, I think you'd know it.

Dave on "Wood Duck" (#2616)

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Eric Dove
1st Mate

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37 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2003 : 13:12:30

Thanks guys. So Jim, does your water get into those compartments directly, like, past the cushions? Or is it somehow running a path down the wall and through that way? The reason I ask is I've noticed evidence that my pop-top may let some water through, so I initially suspected it, but then the cushions are never wet and don't show the signs of having been wet. You also say you drilled small holes to drain to the bilge...do you just periodically use the hand pump to pump that out or do you have an auto-electric one or something? Just curious. It's a little tough to visually check the bilge and I've always been a little paranoid about water in there for some reason...just don't like a wet boat (inside ;) ), though I know it's just a necessary evil sometimes.

Eric

Eric Dove on Adelaide

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2003 : 18:17:19

Eric, I have the same layout and have had the same situation in the storage area in the rear seat. My windows don't leak and nothing comes through the pop top. I realized that the stantions were leaking and that the water runs down the inside of the hull to pool in this area. Try taking a piece of chalk and marking a line across the hull side of the storage area. If water is running down the hull from the stantions you will see the trail.

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2003 : 18:59:42

I have the same problem with my port settee. Using Ed's aforementioned chalk method, I traced the leak up to an area approximating the 1st or 2nd screw in my port side genoa track. At least I thought that's where it was coming from! In an unrelated event, I had to reseal my port side window in the head area. Now my settee compartment is water free! I suspect that water was leaking in the window, down to the hull/deck joint, then back to the genoa track area before running down to my settee compartment. This leak stuff is wicked!

John Matsche 1985 TR/FK #5171

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2003 : 20:54:49

Here in Southern California we don't get much rain. When we did get a super heavy storm last winter, the boat was wet all over - cushions, setees, storage areas, and bilge. However, in moderate rain I think the poptop can leak and get into the storage areas without any noticable wetness on the cushions. My waterproof poptop cover seems to have prevented all leaks except the head windows. I'll let you know in 3 or 4 months.

Every time I remove my knotmeter sensor I get a big gush of water into the bilge. So I pump it out with a little hand pump and then use a sponge to get all the remaining water. I like a bone dry bilge and it is usually that way.

I once overfilled my fresh water tank (funny how the hose just kept running and running - I didn't know I was that low on water!). The tank was full alright, but so was the starboard storage areas under the setee. I drilled 1/8" holes to drain this area onto the floor (and hence to the bilge). Being very careful NOT to drill into the water tank. There is a lot of room available for water UNDER the tank.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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Eric Dove
1st Mate

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37 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 12:21:00

I'll check all those things....perhaps an all-around sealing in the off season just made it on my list. So, this seems stupid, but how do you guys see what's accumulating down in the bilge? I mean, I can see in the back through the hatch under the quarterberth, and way up front through the little hatch under the vee, but the whole middle area of the boat, I can't figure out how to get a visual on it...there doesn't see to be any hatch in the floor or anything. Also, I've got the manual pump mounted in the cockpit, but I'm not sure where it draws from and how to know for sure if it's drawing anything....can't pump and look overboard at the same time. More thoughts?

Eric Dove on Adelaide

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 14:31:07

Funny, I have two wooden boards under the table that lift out to give access to the bilge, keelbolts, etc. There is plenty of useful storage there. Wine cooler, etc.

1978 Fin Keel, Pedestal table, L-shaped interior. The bilge is also accessible from the storate area under the port forward setee (the part that makes the L where my daughter is sitting.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/vacation03/heidi.jpg" border=0>

The access boards for the bilge are directly under the table (hidden by throw rugs in this view).

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/vacation03/dogs.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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Eric Dove
1st Mate

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37 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 14:47:22

I like that interior setup...wish mine was that style. The compartments under my benches are self-contained and don't seem to carry into the actual bilge. As for the floor under the table itself, it's got carpet on it and I don't think I checked for access under there....sort of expected access somewhere down the middle aisle, so I was really only looking there. I'm going to have some time tomorrow on the boat by myself, so I can dedicate some time to looking into this a little better.

Eric Dove on Adelaide

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timmvorz
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2003 : 01:11:03

What method did you use to reseal your window to stop the leaks?

Thanks,
Tim

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I have the same problem with my port settee. Using Ed's aforementioned chalk method, I traced the leak up to an area approximating the 1st or 2nd screw in my port side genoa track. At least I thought that's where it was coming from! In an unrelated event, I had to reseal my port side window in the head area. Now my settee compartment is water free! I suspect that water was leaking in the window, down to the hull/deck joint, then back to the genoa track area before running down to my settee compartment. This leak stuff is wicked!

John Matsche 1985 TR/FK #5171

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

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matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2003 : 11:05:00

Reseal was probably a poor choice of words. For me, it was just a matter of straitening out the existing rubber gasket that the plastic window closes against. It's difficult to close the port without getting a small twist in the gasket that lets in the water. I probably need to replace the gasket completely, but I've got numerous other fixup priorities! For now, I'll just keep it closed.

John Matsche 1985 TR/FK #5171

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