Mysterious trapped space 2 levels under Lazarette??

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

During our recent haulout, we pulled the water pump from its spot under the horizontal locker cover inside the starboard lazarette, rebedded and re-attached with a new base.
At this point we noticed a tiny bit of WET at the very aft corner of this space. Apparently there is another level under this one, where there is a small space that seems like it was designed to be sealed. On our hull, the fiberglass seems to not have met all the way up with the aft seam and bulkhead, resulting in a tiny weep hole, where a tiny bit of water would slosh aft intermittently.
We drilled a 2 inch hole into this trapped compartment, only to find it full of old trapped fresh water -- one of our bolts on the hinge of the lazarette would leak in a few drops if it rained heavily -- and apprarently these drops had gathered and could not get out.
I sealed the tiny gap at the aft end of the water pump level, and vacuumed out the water from the hole we drilled, and we've been drying the inside of this small compartment with a hair dryer on a low setting.
I was wondering if anyone else who has owned a Hunter 33 Cherubini had ever had the same issue. It is about the size of a large thick hardback book.
I am considering filling it with thickened epoxy to permanently seal it.
Any ideas?
Many thanks
Bob Pullen
S/V Seanorita
Yucatan

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

We drilled a 2 inch hole into this trapped compartment, only to find it full of old trapped fresh water -- I sealed the tiny gap at the aft end of the water pump level, and vacuumed out the water from the hole we drilled, and we've been drying the inside of this small compartment with a hair dryer on a low setting.

I bet your boat smells SOOOO much better now! Trapped water is one of the nastiest sources of odor on a boat and can be the hardest to find and remove.

If there's still any odor left, spray every surface, nook and cranny in that space with Raritan K.O. Just let it dry with the area as open as possible to allow as much air circulation as possible for at least 24 hours.

 

[Dalliance]

I'm not familiar with the 33, but from what you are describing, rather than filling the entire cavity with epoxy, it sounds like this could be a good application for one of those expanding foam products, then just seal the openings with epoxy or a marine sealant like 4200.
A volume the size of "a large hardback book" sounds like a lot of epoxy to mix, and you wouldn't want to dump all in at once either because it can generate a surprising amount of heat.

Added note - Just saw Peggie's response. Follow her advice first on drying it out. Then consider whether you really need to fill this void or can otherwise keep it adequately drained and dry.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Unfortunately I cannot get the closed cell (clark) foam around here. The other filler type expanding foam to me is undesirable, since it does allow water penetration, and if it is salt water, it retains the salt once dry, becomes crackly and brittle, etc.
The space inside this area is completely dry at this point, except for a thin film of pasty dry slime on the "roof". I have poured about 4 cups of polyester resin & catalyzer in the hole, over 3 days (yes, to avoid any heat related issues) and it is building up nicely inside. Still seems like I have about 3 inches to go to reach the roof. Think War & Peace in large priint hardback type space. It does not drain anywhere, as it seems that it was intended to be sealed.
I have put a drain in place in the level/space below the main floor/sole of the laz -- the space that holds the fresh water pressure pump and seacock for the head. This now drains into the bilge.
many thanks again for the replies
Bob

 

[Ed H]

Hey Bob- My boat's starboard lazarette has a small area under a "false bottom" that contains the through-hull for the head. It is a real pain to get to. Is the compartment you described even further below that? Ed H

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Hi Ed
Yes, there is another "level" below that level...(sounds almost like a computer game??)
My freshwater pump is located just a bit forward of the thru hull you mention. That flat area has a compartment below it, but it is typically sealed. Mine had a tiny weep hole to the very aft of that level you mention.
Bob

 

[Ed H]

I can not get to my boat until the weekend of April 29th... Can't wait to check that out... I will try to take a picture of it. Ed H

 

[jorgefife]

I can not get to my boat until the weekend of April 29th... Can't wait to check that out... I will try to take a picture of it. Ed H

I too have a HC 33 ( 1982) and am curious abot this secret compartment: any pictures so I can also locate it?
Thanks
Jorge Fife

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

I'll try and get one later...easy to get to...open (stbd) laz...look straight down...remove wooden floorboards/locker cover...look straight down...the area which levels out from the hull is the top of a trapped compartment below. Roughly triangular flat base, comes off the hull to stbd, and abut's the engine compartment wall to port. Abut's to the head bulkhead forward. When you pull the floorboard/locker cover and look below, inside that space, look all the way aft and make sure that flat "sole" does in fact seal all the way aft to the perpendicular face of the supporting wall for that space. If you have a weep hole just before it touches the aft wall, then you may have the same situation.
Bob

 

[Dalliance]

Oh, interesting. That exactly describes the set-up of my '82 H30 water pump compartment below the starboard cockpit locker. There is space between the hull and the flat platform that the pump and accumulator tank are attached to. It's completely sealed around the top. Don't know about below. Will have to look now.
I have a similar, but larger platform/hidden compartment under the batteries below the port side quarterberth.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Yes, the starboard Lazarette I mention is the same starboard cockpit locker you refer to.
Interesting...I have 4 Trojan T-105's in there affixed to that first level, surrounding the opening wood false-bottom locker covers (2 more below the head siink make up the house bank). My 2 port quarter-bunk lockers are open to the hull...no hidden compartments in either.
Just curious --> Did your boat come with the batteries positioned where you describe them, or did you move them there?
Heading to step the mast today...pictures of secret compartments follow.
cheers
Bob

 

[Dalliance]

I am certain the batteries are in their original location. However, I would not assume it's the same location for all of the H30s. They seem to have moved things around a bit over the production run of the H30. The owner's manual diagrams show the batteries under the cockpit sole where the water heater is and the water pump where the batteries are.
I know ithe water heater is in it's original location because they built the boat around it. We're going to be cutting it up this weekend to get it out! :cussing:

 

[ChuckThomas]

Can I assume you are talking about the fresh water pump? Mine is under sink in the head. I am not at boat but I dont think I have this space you are refering to.
BTW my batteries are located in engine compartment just forward of engine. Is yours?

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Got pictures of compartment under Starboard Lazerette

There is another floorboard that goes beside the one pictured but since I haven't finished with all the electric cable clean up...it's not in, but hopefully these should make it clear anyway.
Bob