340 leaking in aft cabin. Suggestions, please!

[Wynn Ferrel]

I am experiencing leaking in the aft cabin in the area of the access panel that is located directly UNDER the helm. I checked the six bolts that hold the wheel in place and they were not wet. Could the water be coming from the arch? I have noticed that the rubber vinyl on the outer edges of the arch is pulling away from the fiberglass. I will attempt to recaulk both sides of the arch this weekend. Maybe on top of the arch, too?? Anyone else experiencing this problem?Regards,Wynn FerrelS/V Tranquility

 

[Mike Kinney]

Me too!

Wynn, on one occasion I experienced a leak in the same spot on my 340. The occasion was when my boat was sitting starboard side to a strong wind and very heavy rain. I have since been in heavy rain and heavy seas with no leakage. The arch seems like a natural culprit, but the other possibility I have considered is the port in the head. Under the right conditions, I wonder if rain can run between the deck and deck liner to the aft cabin area. I know that when the screen is installed in that port, leakage has occurred (it is water tight with the screen removed). However, I don't know if there is any way the water could run from there aft to the deck liner in the aft cabin.  The point where the water leaks through into the aft cabin is simply the lowest point in the deck liner and I'm certain water can run quite a distance to get there. I have tried to find the source of the leak with a water hose and have had no success.  On the occasion that I had the water leak, I theorized that if the leak was coming from the arch, I should have water in the starboard cockpit locker; however, that locker was totally dry.  The only action I have taken since experiencing the leak is to remove the screen from the port in the head. Although I have not since experienced a leak, I have no confidence I have identified the leak source.

 

[Wynn Ferrel]

Great clue, Mike!!!!

You may have a identified a real possibility in the head port. I know exactly what you mean. When you close the port, it is very difficult to avoid pinching the rubber gasket surrounding the screen in the port. This may prohibit a tight seal allowing water to run into the liner and drop to the lowest point, which may well be the area around the access panel in the aft berth. Following up something else you said... Our boat is in a slip where the starboard side has a southwest exposure. In our part of the country, the hard rains often come from the southwest. Further, we got caught on a heck of a rain storm at anchor this past weekend. We rushed to put pans under the access panel and didn't catch a drop. Why? Possibly the wind driven rain was not coming from the starboard side of the boat since we were not at anchor and/or we had a better seal on the port in the head. Interesting. We'll follow this up. If you would like me to email you directly, why don't you email me at wferrel@earthlink.net so that I will have your email address.Thanks for the valuable tip!!!Wynn FerrelS/V Tranquility

 

[george kornreich]

Could be the arch

We had a leak around one of the bolts that hold the arch to the deck on our 430, and I wouldn't be surprised if the attachment is similar to yours. The arch/deck joint is not caulked, but rather the bolt holes are sealed with silicone or 3M 101. Pull the access panels inside the cabin under the arch attachment and hose 'er down, looking for leakage around one of these bolts. If that's you find the lead to be there, you need to remove that bolt, let it dry thoroughly, scrape out any old caulking that you can get at and thoroughly coat the bolt with sealant, as well as filling the hole itself with sealant before reinserting the bolt. That way, you are forcing sealant into the joint from the inside. Believe me, my bolt was a bear to get at, but using sockets (3/4" I think) and universal joints it was possible. It helps if you have an extra wrist joint on you arm also <g>.

 

[Jay Meyer]

Wire Chase

To places to check for leaky spots on your 340.  First look at where you're wiring harness and throttle cable enters into the wire chase at deck level under your pedestal. I had to re-silicone or as we call it here "pookie it up" with a good bit of caulk. Also my rigger drilled a small drain hole in both outboard sides of my arch (fiberglass arch) where it meets the hull. I was amazed at the amount of water that ran out of these two holes. This may not currently be your problem but will keep the inside of your arch nice and dry.Good luck!