1996 hunter 26 water on cabin floor

[dingessj]

The boat has been on the lake for 2 months. Yesterday found an inch of water in the cabin.
No water was at bilge pump.The pump and "level sensor - blue box"? were dry.
After sailing for a few hours water did get to the pump after I removed the round plastic cover.
The plastic plate near the stairs has what purpose? Isn't the pump automatic? Were is the water coming from?

Rookie

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Your description was not clear enough to tell us what exactly happened. First any water on the floor would have come from topsides if on the cabin floor and none found in the bilge or in the storage areas. As for the plastic cover and blue box, that would have been an owner add on after the boat left the factory.

Go back into the archives as much has been written about this. However, there are a few questions.

1. When you went to the boat, did you find water only on the cabin floor.
2. Photo of the plastic cover you mentioned and location
3. Did any water overflow from the cabin floor into the storage area say for example under the galley.
4. below the galley are there any wires, hoses, etc. running into the area under the rear berth.

I would be the person to address your issue on this matter.,

 

[dingessj]

leak

The water is rainwater from the lexan slider, most likely. It is not caulked at the aft wood piece. The lexan is cracking at the screw holes. A companion way cover may be a nice to have item.
The plastic drain in the floor must drain into the bilge but it doesn't flow to the pump area without the boat being sailed.
I have seen pics on the forum of the same bilge pump set up.
Now, I have water under the sole. It spits out when walking on it. Is the wood sitting in a pan without a drain?
Jimmy

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Jimmy your description was not clear and you have the expert on this issue which is why I asked the questions trying to determine what specifically there are other issues.

You are correct that there is a teak piece that goes across the top of the lexan slider which is a stop but due to the design if that piece of teak is not caulked from side to side with silicon to include the screw holes and threads, water will seep around/under that wood and fall onto the floor. I bet the caulking around your flooring is not sealed properly. What has happened now that you have supplied more information, water has gotten under the wood flooring.

The floor pan is one solid piece withone section or the floor area being recessed to accept the teak and holly sole flooring. It should have a bead between the floor and fiberglass edge to keep water from getting under the wood. Now you know.

First, go ahead and order a cover for the companionway, not camper top from the store site on the forum. If you have a camper top already, ask that the snaps do not be installed so you can match them to the camper top. You should ask for the snaps anyway. There is a kit that you can buy to put on snaps unless a buddy has one. When you install make sure you put for example a throwable cushion underneath it to deflect the water.

In the meantime, go ahead and put a cover over the companionway and put a cushion underneath so water cannot get in. better yet with another person, remove the slider and you will see some screws on both sides of the slider. Remove them on one side and remove slider to get to that piece of teak on top. Again, have a second person to help. Once I did it bymyself and if fell on my big toe and that was a six week ouch till it healed. Liberally caulk and remember no acetone on the lexan.

On the floor, soak up the water, and have dry rags and sponge.s Do this until you get no more and let it dry. Some have placed a small heater inside the boat but suggest that one be on board for safety reasons. When completely dry and if salvageable, then remove old seal around the floor and recaulk. You can use your finger dipped in alcohol or spit on your finger to smooth that out. I would put tape around the edges to ensure that caulk does not get on either primarily the wood. I would also treat the wood as well. Hope this helps.

craxzy dave condon

 

[dingessj]

thanks.
In other threads, I see where you mention the plastic drain in the floor/ inspection plate was not installed during manufacture. It is a poor floor drain.
The throwable cushion is a great idea.
Jimmy

 

[dwagibson]

I don't have water on the floor, but the circle drain next to stair fills with water. there bilge is dry. Can the water leak from the water ballast? Is this why the teak sole flexes and is spongy (is there water trapped underneath? If so how to remove it?
-Derek

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Dereck

this has been discussed many times in the forum. The teak and holly sole is glued to the floor pan as it is one piece with the rest of the floor. What happens is that the caulk between seam of the floor and floor pan is cracked allowing water to get beneath it.

What I would do is to first make sure no water is getting there and it is coming from the hatch cover most likely the piece of wood that acts as the stopper so the slider will not come out is not silicone all the way across and around the screw holes. It is on top of the slider and you can see the screws holding it in place from inside the cabin. You will have to take the slider off and suggest another person help you with this or you can get hurt.

As for the water, sop up as much as you can and walk on it to squish the water out from the seams between the floor and floor pan edge. Then let dry for a month or two. If it holds, then the floor is fine. If not, you need a new floor. Again this is in the archives.

I was on the project of this boat from the inception and since you are in North Carolina, who knows the boat may have come from my dealership now retired, American Marine & Sail Supply, Inc.

 

[twalker H260]

What circle drain are you talking about? Can you post a picture? Most of the cabin sole area in the 26/260's is also the top of the ballast tank and should not have any holes of any kind in it.

 

[dingessj]

The drain is not effective, almost under the of the bilge. When my boat flooded with an inch of rain water, only some would drain. And still the pump was barely in the water. Used a 1 gallon vacuum to remove most. Crazy D said it was a dealer installed option.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

It Was A Somebody Addition Which Did Not Work As Hunter Did Not Put That On. I Would Have Been Ordered To Walk The Plank If I Even Suggested That.

 

[dwagibson]

It Was A Somebody Addition Which Did Not Work As Hunter Did Not Put That On. I Would Have Been Ordered To Walk The Plank If I Even Suggested That.

Maybe I described it wrong. I think it might be factory installed. I don't have a picture from my boat, but a quick web search shows a few others with it. I uploaded a picture and drew an arrow. It is right in the back corner. I can't seem to determine where the water comes from and it is only a small amount, like a few ounces. when I remove it more fills in which is leading to my leaking ballast theory.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

No it was not a factory install. I was heavily involved with this boat from the floor up to the first introduced by me, nearly purchased and sold 20-25% of the production line and bought the very last and I can assure you all that the drain or inspection port was not a Hunter install.