windlass leak

Jul 9, 2025
1
hunter 33 Havre de Grace
I have a 2007 Hunter33 and am experiencing a leak in the V berth beneath the anchor locker. Has anyone experienced a similar problem and what was done to remedy the problem?
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,601
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Leaks are a pain. I understand. Very few times are two different boats made be the same company going to identical leaks. They may be in th same area but the cause or point of entry can be totally random.

A couple of ways are used to try and find the issue. You can try blowing air as what a leaf blower, into the V-Berth, then go up on deck and squirt a bit of water with dish soap about the bow, looking for bubbles.

You can try to trace the leak on the inside while a crew member sprays water on the deck and anchor locker.

It seems to be a trial and error type of solution. That is because it is. Water finds the craziest path some time wicking up hill to get into your boat. Only the best detectives ever really discover and treat the problem.
 
Mar 6, 2008
1,501
Catalina 1999 C36 MKII #1787 Coyote Point Marina, CA.
Since you mentioned windlass leak, test the leak as mentioned above, by having someone spray water from above onto the windlass. If you see water leaking from the bottom of windlass, it is time to replace the windlass shaft seals.
 
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Apr 10, 2025
7
Hunter 326 Northport
Yes I think there has been a few of us with the problem. I had it on my hunter 326 and fixed it last year. Seems like in the anchor locker they never fiberglassed the plywood , only gelcoated so a scratch lets water in and we know the rest. Mine was pretty well rotted out so it was easy to remove. I may have used a multi tool to clean up the edges on the side but I dont recall, it was easy to get all the old plywood out and on the backside there was some fiberglass backing that I was able to lay new plywood on. It was my first fiberglass job and it was easy and turned out well. Here are some pics. After glassing I used rustoleum topside paint for the interior. also the plywood under the vberth was in bad shape at the point so i traced it and made a new one. Some of the vberth supports that were tabbed in were delaminated so I added wood glue and clamped that up.
LMk if you have any questions
 

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