Deck Leaking?

[PeteT]

We have had some heavy wind for awhile and a deluge of rain and snow yesterday.. Yeah snow in So Cal on the harbor. . What I noticed in the V-berth, Port side that the cusihion underneat was wet in some areas. I then noticed a mildue on port side liner ( not overhead ). Further exploration it looked like the teak trim that goes from the anchor locker back to the bulkhead that seperates the head and the Vberth seemed to have a darker shade as if wet. It was wet on the outboard corner where the bulkhead meets the V-berth was wet. Lastly, that round, tubing, soft trim that finishies off bulkheads and the liner seemed wet too. The starboard side looked fine. I looked at stanchions and they seemed okay. My concern is that there may be a serious problem between the port forward deck, liner and hull. I hope Iam not over reacting.

Any of you have a suggestion as to where to look. Have experienced anything similar? I am thinking of pulling off the teak trim to see what it looks like behind it.

Any thoughts?

Pete

 

[jssailem]

Yes the discoloration is evidence of moisture. Leaks or condensation? You need to find a source. I’d look at hardware that is attached to the deck, ports, stanchions, mast. Start where you think the source is then eliminate the spots. You may find more than one possible source. Caulk on the outside, never the inside. If the rain is unrelenting, buy an inexpensive tarp and cover the deck. It will buy you some time. Then you can address the issues when the sun shines.

 

[JoeWhite]

In my case on C36, the leak in this area was due to worn out seals of the windlass shaft. You can check this by covering the windlass with a plastic bag and hold it in place with electric tape for a while.

 

[PeteT]

Yes the discoloration is evidence of moisture. Leaks or condensation? You need to find a source. I’d look at hardware that is attached to the deck, ports, stanchions, mast. Start where you think the source is then eliminate the spots. You may find more than one possible source. Caulk on the outside, never the inside. If the rain is unrelenting, buy an inexpensive tarp and cover the deck. It will buy you some time. Then you can address the issues when the sun shines.

Will do and thanks

 

[shemandr]

The minor delamination on the bulkhead near the floor indicates that the seam near the bottom of the plywood bulkhead was/is wet. The bulkhead above that seems sound and is not to my eye discolored. So I think it is wetness traveling down the seam caulking.
The "Limber hole" at the corner is a mildew magnet. Debris accumulates in there and remains damp. I think local treatment will be sufficient. Clean, dry, seal.
With the liner it doesn't have to be wet to mildew. Just high humidity and lack of air circulation will do it. .
I would pull all that caulking out. And then wait for rain, or use artificial rain (A hose) to spray water on the outside of the area focusing on stanchions, hull deck joint, any hardware that penetrates the deck skin like cleats etc and see if an observer below can see water coming in. Stanchions may look OK but leak anyway.
Or you can use the blower soapy water technique which can be found in the archives.

 

[dmax]

One more thing to add: you can try to locate the source of the leak from the interior by taping paper towels or applying a chalk line horizontally all around the suspected area - if water passes by it will be obvious.