Couple of H26 questions

[CHSN WND]

Spent the day cleaning the deck and cabin - she really cleaned up nice. But, I noticed the plexiglass sliding hatch leaks. It's not cracked but looks like it might be bowed - maybe the PO stepped on it? The companionway also leaks, but the teak panels are pretty weather-worn. The outside finish has completely worn off and it's down to very dirty wood. I can see replacing the companionway boards and buffing the plexi panels are in my future... I had a leak over the v-berth as well - perhaps from the solar fan that was installed into the opening hatch? That might have come in thru the solar fan since I was using a pressurized hose for cleaning.

Any ideas for how to stop a leak in the plexi slider? It seems to come in from the bow-side...

Also, we're prepping for our first night on the boat and the Mrs. asked me what size bedding to buy. I wasn't sure if it has a double or queen sized berth under the cockpit. Can someone steer us in the right direction?

 

[steve stark]

Not sure how "bowed" the plexi slider is. If not too much so, then I'd remove the slider, unmount (unscrew) the teak bars that are mounted athwartships on the plexi, re-bed them with sealant, and re-fasten. The forward piece is infamous for allowing pooled water to drip through the screw holes once the sealant ages.

The aft berth is much close to queen than double sized, if memory serves. Happy times with your 26... a great boat.

 

[CHSN WND]

Not sure how "bowed" the plexi slider is. If not too much so, then I'd remove the slider, unmount (unscrew) the teak bars that are mounted athwartships on the plexi, re-bed them with sealant, and re-fasten. The forward piece is infamous for allowing pooled water to drip through the screw holes once the sealant ages.

The aft berth is much close to queen than double sized, if memory serves. Happy times with your 26... a great boat.

Thanks, Steve. I'll do as you suggest re: leaky plexi slider. Thanks for the advice.

We guessed approx. queen sized for the aft berth - looks like we guessed right.

It's only been a week, but we LOVE the boat. She's roomy and sails well. Looking forward to enjoying the heck out of her for the next 6 weeks!

 

[jeffclown]

Dave,
The H26 was notorious for cabin top leaking from what I understand. I would do what Steve said. I also read several posters say you need the cabin top canvas cover to fix the problem, and then they/Crazy Dave also recommend a cushion under the cover above the flat plexi piece, to give it some shape and allow rain to run off instead of pooling there. Here is one related thread link:
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=674317&highlight=H26 cabin leak
Glad you're loving your H26. I love mine.
Jeff

 

[Fred]

I would highly recommend a snap down canvas companionway cover if you don't already have one to stop leaking through plexi and hatch boards. I have read many complaints about leaks in this area and the cover seems to be the most effective solution. I believe that they sell them in the forum store.

We use "queen" sized bedding. A fitted mattress cover, a fitted bottom sheet, a flat top sheet and a thin comforter has been very comfortable. I have been considering a thin closed cell foam mattress topper for additional padding but that probably depends on your age.

 

[Fred]

I have used a pool noodle or a spare fender under the canvas cover to prevent pooling.

 

[CHSN WND]

Excellent advice - I'll reseal the wood to the plexi and buy a new cover - the boat has one but it's very worn. Probably about as useful now as laying a blanket over the opening.

Time for a little shopping...

 

[Fred]

I was at the boat this morning so took a picture....

Ridge line is created using the pool noodle.

 

[CHSN WND]

I was at the boat this morning so took a picture....

Ridge line is created using the pool noodle.

Looks good - that's what I'll do as well. Thanks, Fred!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If you have the optional camper top, when ordering a companionway canvas cover and be specific for use, ask that the snaps do not be installed but install them yourself as you will want to pattern the other snap ends that are already installed to avoid a bunch of those end snaps installed on the boat

 

[CHSN WND]

If you have the optional camper top, when ordering a companionway canvas cover and be specific for use, ask that the snaps do not be installed but install them yourself as you will want to pattern the other snap ends that are already installed to avoid a bunch of those end snaps installed on the boat

No optional camper top, but it does have an aged canvas companionway cover so the snaps are already on the boat. I'll probably buy Sunbrella fabric and beg the Mrs. to make one - she's very capable with a sewing machine and can use the current cover as a template. Should be pretty straightforward and save us some nice $.

Thanks all for the advice - I really appreciate it!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

You will need a tool to fit the snaps with and can be purchased at West Marine.

 

[CHSN WND]

I'm heading to the boat on Friday and wondering if you might also suggest re-bedding the side boards on the plexi slider? They're wet and dirty (black slime), but maybe I can sand them down, dry them out, re-bed and refinish them all? Should I use Dow Corning 795 to bed the wood to the plexi?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

,I strongly suggest that you have a helper for the slider plexiglass. Take the teak rear strip off, clean off the old silicon and apply new silicon across the entire surface of the teak strip and around the screw holes. Even apply on the threads of the wood screws as well. Do not use 5200 or 4200. Silicon I suggest the west marine brand or buy archeticual grade 100% silicon that you can get anywhere but the key is 100% pure silicon.

When washing a boat sir, never use a high pressure spray as water will get under the top hatch into any boat but rather a spray type shower or more gentle spray.

 

[CHSN WND]

,I strongly suggest that you have a helper for the slider plexiglass. Take the teak rear strip off, clean off the old silicon and apply new silicon across the entire surface of the teak strip and around the screw holes. Even apply on the threads of the wood screws as well. Do not use 5200 or 4200. Silicon I suggest the west marine brand or buy archeticual grade 100% silicon that you can get anywhere but the key is 100% pure silicon.

When washing a boat sir, never use a high pressure spray as water will get under the top hatch into any boat but rather a spray type shower or more gentle spray.

Silicon it is. I have tube of 3M marine grade in the garage that I bought at West Marine. I usually shy away from silicon but in certain cases, it's all we have to work with.

I will use gentle spray going forward. The boat was dirty, the halyards filthy. The higher pressure spray seemed to get more of the crud out of / off the halyards. I'll never let it get to that point under my ownership.

That said, the front window also leaked from rain. I wasn't in the boat so I couldn't track it - I'll rinse it (gently) this weekend to find the source. I saw a roughly 1,5 inch crack on the top edge of the forward opening hatch - that could also be the source. Otherwise, the 2 fixed side pieces of plexi may need to be re-bedded.

If it's a leak around the forward fixed plexi, would you recommend Dow Corning 795 for that project? I used it to re-bed the side windows on my H20 and it worked great - eliminated all window leaks. But, maybe it's the wrong product for the windshield / front fixed windows?

Thanks!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

that is also in a sense 100% pure architechtual grade silicon

 

[CHSN WND]

that is also in a sense 100% pure architechtual grade silicon

Thanks, Dave,

So it's okay (maybe preferred?) to use DC 795 for the front fixed windows? I think it's both stronger and more durable than a marine grade silicon, since they use it to bed windows in sky scrapers. That's what Hunter used to bed their windows, yes?

Based on your earlier comment, I presume using the 3M silicone from a squeeze tube is better for sealing the wood and screws on the sliding hatch..?

I appreciate your help, Dave - I'm just trying to be sure I fix things correctly. I'm not very technical nor handy, but with good guidance I can get by...