water leaks on trailer

mmsailor · Mar 2, 2014

mikeepp said:
OK, I give up. My H23 has water in the cabin every spring while on the trailer for the winter. I've never had this problem while she's on the water.
I've adjusted the trailer level to the waterline mark on the hull. She's covered with a tarp over the cabin roof. There's 2" of water on the cabin sole. Last year my floorboards were floating and warped! I removed them this year. How is this water getting in?

If I recall our 23 had a thru hull for the anchor locker . At one time the plastic cracked on that line and it let water into the cabin .

mmsailor · Mar 2, 2014

mikeepp said:
OK, I give up. My H23 has water in the cabin every spring while on the trailer for the winter. I've never had this problem while she's on the water.
I've adjusted the trailer level to the waterline mark on the hull. She's covered with a tarp over the cabin roof. There's 2" of water on the cabin sole. Last year my floorboards were floating and warped! I removed them this year. How is this water getting in?

Hi Mike Epp, When I replied to this I did not realize it was you . I have a new to me boat and called Indian Lake State park to get in their lottery . If all goes well I will see you on the water . I think I saw my old boat for sale on craigs list right after I bought this boat . Mike Bacome

isaksp00 · Mar 2, 2014

The 23 does have a drain from the anchor locker to a thru hull, so check that - if water can get in the locker in winter it could freeze and crack that line, as it (well, mine) drops down below the level of the exit, allowing water to accumulate in the line.

Also, if it gets deep enough in the cockpit, there is a round access hatch port in the rear side of the gas tank storage space - it can leak through that into the bilge. The all the other obvious candidates - any fitting like the stanchions, chain plates, etc.

Crazy Dave Condon · Mar 3, 2014

Mike Epp;

If your cabin top is covered, then the two main culprits to look at are the cockpit drain and the anchor locker drain. To access the anchor locker drain, in the V berth, there is a cover plate all the way forward. Take out the screws and pull it off. It is probably jammed into place so take precaution while removing it. It has been some time for me to remember the access point for the rear drain. It is one of the two is probably the major culprit. Also check the shroud chain plates and if leaking there, there is a cover plate with four screws holding it in place and simply remove the old caulk and recaulk.

As for other leaks, hosing down the deck for a while on each item is one way to find other leaks but the way as a dealer when in the business was to close the boat up taping around the opening ports and hatches. Then take a piece of plastic and tape it over the entire companionway and then put a small slit into it which to insert a leaf blower and tape it as well. Have a second person with a bucket of good old real soapy water and a brush in hand. Start the leaf blower and in essence you are pressurizing the cabin or interior and air has to seep out. With the soapy water and brush, brush every fitting and rub rail and where air bubbles are seen generally those will be the leak areas. Hopes that helps.

crazy dave condon

isaksp00 · Mar 3, 2014

On mine, you have to climb down into the lazarette to see the hose from the cockpit drain to the thru-hull in the stern.

peterdinunzio · Mar 4, 2014

Mike
I was just about to post the SAME EXACT QUESTION regarding my 1987 Hunter 23. I get no rainwater while at dock during the sailing season, but enormous amounts of freshwater while up on blocks and stands.
I also covered the cabin, but there has been little rain since, so verdict not in, but I will now surely check the fore and aft drains as mentioned in some of the posts.
Was driving me nuts just by virtue of how much fresh water accumulated in a short period of time.
It forced me to replace my 4 floorboard covers last year with marine grade black plastic floorboards, custom made and a bit expensive, but they look great and obviously no more mold on/in the wood.
When I figure out the water problem, I'll post it.

Good luck
Peter
Lindenhurst, NY

203 · Mar 5, 2014

I am just an observer here, but since both guys with the question are in areas that had/are having a horribly severe winter this year, I'd bet it has something to do with freezing water in a pipe that would normally be open ( in the summer ). Freezing=plugged pipe=overflow or something like that.

Now if someone can tell me why my H22 leaks (barely) around the lifeline supports during the summer in the water and does not leak there at all during the freezing season on the trailer, even when the boat has 12 inches of ice and snow on top for a week.... (c:

carboman · Mar 6, 2014

just a thought but I had the same problem. mine was that the caulking around the chainplates on the port and starboard side of the boat were leaking profusely. until I liberally resealed with some good silicone, I used to shop vac out about 10 gallons of water. tthis was happening while on the trailer when I was working on it. 100% dry now.

Brian M H23 · Mar 11, 2014

My H23, the a lot of water leaked in from the hatch, putting the nose up helped a lot

Crazy Dave Condon · Mar 12, 2014

Brian;

You beat me to the punch. It is always a must for any boat stored on a boat to be level or water will pool up and go inside. In addition with boats with cockpit drains in the floor, make sure that drain is not covered up with leaves or debri; otherwise water will fill up the cockpit and go into the cabin. Again, make sure the drain is not covered and the boat is level, otherwise during the winter, water can freeze in the drain line and thus a blockage.

Tgardner · Mar 12, 2014

Peter, Any chance you have your old plywood sole boards that you could measure up?

I brought mine home to refinish them and the admiral threw them out .."Well, I was de-cluttering!"

I suppose I could fashion some templates out of cardboard, but the exact measurements would be nice..

Tim Gardner

isaksp00 · Mar 12, 2014

The boat is all wrapped up now, under a canvas cover, and I am not too near it. But when I next get up there and start to get ready for the summer I will try to remember to measure them. Basically, you could just measure the openings in the fiberglass cabin sole, and they are slightly rounded on the corners.

Tgardner · Mar 13, 2014

Well well well, no need, Peter, I searched my wife's art studio one last time, and lo and behold, my plywood soles were among her vast collection of frames. No need for measurements, I have the originals.

Thanks for your offer - TG