1984 Hunter 31 - Persistent leak near fuel tank
- Thread starter Glenn2002
- Start date
I just finished my final scrub down before putting the tarp over the boat and after running copious amounts of water into the cockpit I climbed down into the starboard laz to see if the leak was running over from the port cockpit scupper and guess what, as soon as I got down there I saw a continuous drip coming from the fibreglass part of the STARBOARD scupper, just above where the hose connects to it. It will be a simple fix, all I have to do is grind it down a bit all the way around and wrap a couple layers of fibreglass cloth around it with resin and presto, Bob's yer uncle. I wish it had been as easy to find as it will be to fix. (assuming it is the only one).
Awesome. Remember to wear safety glasses, even if hand grinding with a file. Gravity is not your friend there, while looking up. Don't ask me how I know.
So was the water flowing down the hose to the low point, then dripping off? Does the geometry concur with what you originally observed as to where the water pools? I'm having trouble imagining how water would have moved from this specific source to get to your quarterberth.
So was the water flowing down the hose to the low point, then dripping off? Does the geometry concur with what you originally observed as to where the water pools? I'm having trouble imagining how water would have moved from this specific source to get to your quarterberth.
Yes, the water war running down the hose to the point where it curved too muck for the water to continue to cling to it at .which point it dropped onto the floor of the laz just aft of the fuel tank. From there it just ran under the centerline bulkhead into the quarter berth. I have the boat all cover now so I'll fix it in the spring.
Here are my updates. Good news is, the quarterberth is dry. However it wasn't until we were working on the electrical and had to pull the pedestal guard off that we saw the PO had installed the metal base the posts slot into onto the deck with regular screws! They were totally rusted and just crumbled. Drilled the part in the floor out ans sure enough the plywood on the stbd side post was soaking wet. That's where water was getting in to drip on the false floor by the cable pulleys and pedestal mount. Anyway, I fiberglassed the holes shut and no water since. Still doing electrical work 50 hours of marine electrician time so far, it was a frickin mess, however we haven't reinstalled the pedestal guard yet. We also moved two of the batteries and they are now in that space on the floor in front of the quarterberth. We enclosed them in a box. The starter battery is still in the battery compartment on the stbd side, but I now have lots of room for storage and for crawling in there! Seems both scuppers are dry, however I am going to rebed them in the spring.
Thought I would add an update on this leak stuff.
Early this year, there was still water getting in to the aft lazarette. We noticed finally that the PO had drilled a hole through the deck top beside one of the rear stanchions to allow the two small wires to pass through from the stern light. We removed them from the hole and used a proper fitting mounted on the upper part of the transom. I fiber-glassed the old hole after cleaning which was only poorly sealed with some kind of sealer. Lazarette has been dry ever since. This I believe was a main cause of rear lazarette water problems. One thing I still want to do is re seal the binnacle. Overall I believe I have resolved this rear leak issue.
Early this year, there was still water getting in to the aft lazarette. We noticed finally that the PO had drilled a hole through the deck top beside one of the rear stanchions to allow the two small wires to pass through from the stern light. We removed them from the hole and used a proper fitting mounted on the upper part of the transom. I fiber-glassed the old hole after cleaning which was only poorly sealed with some kind of sealer. Lazarette has been dry ever since. This I believe was a main cause of rear lazarette water problems. One thing I still want to do is re seal the binnacle. Overall I believe I have resolved this rear leak issue.
One last update on this topic for me.
I found water still dripping after a big rain through the screw holes that attach that false ceiling in the quarter-berth. I suspected the port side scupper and took it apart, and was surprised what I found. It was just a metal cover over hole drilled through the deck leading to the pipe that exits the transom.. Water would run through the cover and down the sides of the hole and then wick back between the layers of fiberglass in the ceiling until it made its way to the binnacle opening, and then drip through. I bought a piece of pvc pipe and sanded it down so it fitted in the hole then sealed it in place, sealing the metal cover on top. Now any water going into the scupper can only drain through the pvc pipe and down into the exit piping. Problem solved, the quarter-berth has been completely dry all winter! - FINALLY.
I also resealed the binnacle on the cockpit floor just in case, but apparently it wasn't leaking. It sure won't now!
Still a couple of VERY minor drips but not in the quarter-berth, can finally say I have a dry boat!
I found water still dripping after a big rain through the screw holes that attach that false ceiling in the quarter-berth. I suspected the port side scupper and took it apart, and was surprised what I found. It was just a metal cover over hole drilled through the deck leading to the pipe that exits the transom.. Water would run through the cover and down the sides of the hole and then wick back between the layers of fiberglass in the ceiling until it made its way to the binnacle opening, and then drip through. I bought a piece of pvc pipe and sanded it down so it fitted in the hole then sealed it in place, sealing the metal cover on top. Now any water going into the scupper can only drain through the pvc pipe and down into the exit piping. Problem solved, the quarter-berth has been completely dry all winter! - FINALLY.
I also resealed the binnacle on the cockpit floor just in case, but apparently it wasn't leaking. It sure won't now!
Still a couple of VERY minor drips but not in the quarter-berth, can finally say I have a dry boat!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I realize that I'm very late to the party but I am searching for answers to this same issue. Bought an 85 H31 in early June and found that while sailing her home (280+kn mi) with 1 crew member we were emptying the fresh water tank every 2 days... Also noted there was an excess of Bilge pump activity following a freshwater fill-up. I have now replaced the Fill and Vent Tubbing but am still flooding the 3/4 berth when I fill the tank. I'm certain that it is a tank leak that is finding its way between the layers of fibreglass and up under the mattress.
You need to find the crack in the fresh water tank. You can add food coloring when you fill the tank to help determine the source of the leak. Welcome to the forum!
Thanks,You need to find the crack in the fresh water tank. You can add food coloring when you fill the tank to help determine the source of the leak. Welcome to the forum!
That is a future project... It's RACE DAY! and I currently have projectiles (tools) everywhere.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,455
Race Day.
you don’t need the water weight on board. Just pack the tools in a bag, toss the bag in the car, a couple of water bottles and your off to the start line.
Repairs are for after. There is a race to be sailed.
you don’t need the water weight on board. Just pack the tools in a bag, toss the bag in the car, a couple of water bottles and your off to the start line.
Repairs are for after. There is a race to be sailed.
Today I removed the lid of the freshwater tank, I found multiple places where it was leaking. A previous owner had sealed the lid under the mattress so water found another route, sideways between the layers of Marine Plywood exiting at the wall on the bedside opposite the Fuel Tank. Sealant removed, Tank and Lid Bleached, and Reseal tomorrow.
You are a better person than I. I looked at the amount of work required to remove that lid (ours was sealed), and said "No, we will do without running water". Kudos to you, and your patience.
For what it's worth: In case you have a hairline crack somewhere in the tank (that was our problem), you may want to paint the interior with a food grade leakproof lining of some sort, before putting the lid back on.
For what it's worth: In case you have a hairline crack somewhere in the tank (that was our problem), you may want to paint the interior with a food grade leakproof lining of some sort, before putting the lid back on.
It was no big deal. Pull all the hardware, and cut the sealant around the lid. Using a wide chisel (1") in the centre of the front edge, flat site towards the lid, pry up and brace with wedges/tools/etc. work your way around the lid. From start to finish the lid was off in 45 minutes.
Final Update: Tank cleaned, sterilized, and inspected. 2" wide Butyl Putty around the lid and reinstalled. I had to go up 1 size on 6 screws that wouldn't torque down. The tank was filled 2 hrs ago and no leaks.
Update: Second leak... After fixing the Water Tank I noticed that the Bilge pump runs after every outing and I was still getting water in the back corner of the 3/4 Berth coming from the other side of the wall. After verifying that it was not the lid to the water tank I have now cut an access through the wall behind the Fuel tank. NOTE: If you choose to do the same measure carefully, The Fuel tank is .5" from the wall on the other side. There are two Through Hulls behind the Fuel Tank, Starboard Deck Scupper and Wet Exhaust. The Wet Exhaust hose has a split just above the Through Hull which not only leaks when the Diesel is running but also any time that Through Hull is under water.
