1983 H34 Refit

[Taylor1618]

Hey everyone. I am new to the forum and to my H34 but not to sailing. Before this boat, I was on a fully-loaded Beneteau 50, which we sailed the entire eastern seaboard on. Anyway... this H34...

The PO replaced the cabin sole and bulk heads. The PO also added the following:
- Distribution blocks
- New head tank
- New pex water lines
- New port lights
- Stopped all leaks
- New bilge pumps
- Bug screens for deck hatches
- Speed and depth gauges

Nonetheless, the starboard side near the galley has water in the bilge (not sure source) and it has rotted the floor. Floor in galley and v-berth will need replaced. I know the bilge in these boats has a storied reputation of being a problem. Additionally, the boat has some good electrical upgrades including:

- ProNautic 1260P Onboard Marine Battery Charger, 60 Amp
- 2 X 12-volt Renogy AGM marine batteries 200ah
- Victron 12-volt battery isolator
- Xantrex Link Pro battery monitor

However, wiring still needs to be finished from the charger to the battery switch.

Any advice/counsel I can get on where to start and what to do would be very much appreciated. Somewhat overwhelmed with her current state but am committed to get this project boat in shipshape and sailing again .

 

[kloudie1]

Welcome Aboard, Taylor!
Be sure to check out the info on the forum.. under "General Downloads" and "Downloads By Brand"
The water heater T-P valve can drool water onto the starboard sole just forward of the galley.. As the heater goes from cold to hot, the pressure inside it can overpressure the safety valve and cause a temporary dripping until the pressure and temperature stabilize. You can fit a hose to the valve outlet to direct that dripping to the bilge ... or... always remember to briefly open the hot water valve at the sink to bleed off the excess pressure..
again, Welcome aboard!

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Kloudie is right about the T-P Valve. Other possibilities around the water heater could be a small leak at the drain valve, or a possible leak on the hot and cold water pipes leading to and from the water heater. Also check your galley sink. 2 things to check for here: put the plugs in the sink and put about 1'' of water in them. Let it sit and go check underneat with a paper towel to see if any leaks. Then, check the fittings on the Y connecting the 2 sinks. They may have become loose and leak. Finally, also check the inlet fittings to the faucet.

 

[jssailem]

Welcome Taylor to SBO Forums. Congratulations on your boat. H34 is a solid boat. Much enjoyment ahead.

Where to start? Simple. First priority of a boat. Keep the water on the outside of the hull. I’d devote my time to locating the water source and fix or plug it.

Once you have a dry boat you can then start working on the repairs. If you do the repairs first and the boat is still leaking then you’ll be doing the repairs again and again .

Good luck. Maybe the source is where Kloudie and Claude have suggested. Wouldn’t that be fortunate.

 

[sailor832]

I have a 1984 34 and what I found is the access hatch leaks water into the top of the cabin ceiling and will drip and also run along the low edge all the way over to the table. It was caused by the drain ports under the hood being blocked. It made a mess, but I used a high pressure washer and blew out the drain channels and that greatly reduced the leak if I get a very hard rain it still leak PO had a canvas the went over the top of the hatch and covered all the glass so that water could not sit on top of it and I am going to replace that also.

 

[Mike Oldak]

As a temp(?) fix to our leaking access hatch my boat partner's wife and I measured and she sewed a hatch way cover.