Big project today...finding where rain water leaks in

[Megaro76]

With my 11 year old daughter running the hose to simulate a rain storm and me inside the boat cabin with a flashlight, I found the source of several areas water was leaking down the inside hull to the bilge areas....Rub Rail screw holes!!

Dang that was a job removing the rub rail, like 50 screws holding the aluminum rub channel removed, cleaned, filled 6 holes that were hidden behind the aluminum frame, 3M 4000 adhesive sealant all the holes and screws back in after a light sanding and wipe down the gel coat where the rub rail attaches....and last and definitely the most fun working to get the rub rail inserted back into the aluminum channel....a couple pics and I marked each hole that was behind the aluminum channel with no screw pencil mark but I guess a great way for water to leak in. All screws got a good coating of 3M 4000 as I may want to remove again since someday. Also the deck to hull joint compound looked good and intact. Slowly I am making progress to make this thing water tight

IMG_2364

• Megaro76
• Jul 9, 2017

IMG_2365

• Megaro76
• Jul 9, 2017

 

[jon hansen]

tell us about the johnson outboard. please

 

[Megaro76]

tell us about the johnson outboard. please

1957 7.5 hp is handling the motoring on my C22.... I like the vintage flair it adds and draws plenty of attention when launching...it seems every retired fishing guy I strike up a chat with had one just like back in the day and would love to have one agin.

Thanks for noticing

 

[jon hansen]

nice

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

With any leaks above the water line sometimes can be frustrating to find. An old trick I used at my dealership (now retired) was to close the boat up putting tape over the window and hatch seals. Then take a large one piece plastic and tape it over the entire companionway. Then slit it to insert a leaf blower and tape over the slit so air cannot escape.. Have a second person with a bucket of soapy water and brush standby. Start the leaf blower to pressurize the cabin. Then have the other person brushing every fixture, seam and so forth and where air is bubbling out, there you will find a leak. Worked like a charm often.

 

[rpludwig]

CD....great idea, never heard of that one, makes perfect sense, (like finding a natural gas or propane leak(!!!

 

[ilance]

With any leaks above the water line sometimes can be frustrating to find. An old trick I used at my dealership (now retired) was to close the boat up putting tape over the window and hatch seals. Then take a large one piece plastic and tape it over the entire companionway. Then slit it to insert a leaf blower and tape over the slit so air cannot escape.. Have a second person with a bucket of soapy water and brush standby. Start the leaf blower to pressurize the cabin. Then have the other person brushing every fixture, seam and so forth and where air is bubbling out, there you will find a leak. Worked like a charm often.

This! When I was a kid, this was my boatyard job. I used an industrial ventilator fan......but a modern leaf blower probably has that power now.

 

[Jacktar]

sounds good except older boats leak air everywhere, use chalk or gasoila paste and backtrack to source. And after marking go sailing because underway leaks are even harder to find sometimes.

 

[Megaro76]

So we had a good hard rain last night. Before work this am, I got inside my boat to take a look. The bilge areas were bone dry so I guess all that work was worth it sealing the rub rail channel/screws and filling the unused screw holes. So strange if that was like that from the factory as it did not appear that my rub rail and channel had ever been refitted. Heck I may just be ready to start putting gear and cushions back in my boat not having to worry about rain. This boat has been a labor of love and I'm glad I finally figure it our.

Now if my keel bolt area has similar luck after West System epoxy'ing the area....I will be one happy dude...won't know until we get her back in the water as it only let water in while underway...details in previous thread. It looks like the keep bolt retainer area had been reglassed at some point but not enough epoxy was used in laying the cloth up. Fingers crossed

 

[Gene Neill]

A truly dry boat is a source of immense satisfaction. I'll cross my fingers for ya.

 

[Megaro76]

Another hard rain last night as the boat sat on the trailer proved to be a good test of my various rebedding and sealing....all good results and bone dry on the inside...I found the source of a few drips landing on the table...the port side pop top latch screws going through the pop top were leaking a little...so they got rebedded this evening. I think I'm ready for new cushions and keeping things IN the boat for a change which should make my wife very happy. What a great feeling even though it probably sounds so basic. Yay!

 

[Leeward Rail]

A truly dry boat is a source of immense satisfaction. I'll cross my fingers for ya.

This summer I have found the easiest solution is to have the boat spend it's time on the trailer, under a cover.
For some reason I don't feel very satisfied.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

A truly dry boat is a source of immense satisfaction. I'll cross my fingers for ya.

I've had boats for the last 45 years and, throughout that period, can't recall anyone ever having or knowing anyone who had a "dry" boat. At least not without working to get it so.

 

[Gene Neill]

I've had boats for the last 45 years and, throughout that period, can't recall anyone ever having or knowing anyone who had a "dry" boat. At least not without working to get it so.

That last part is where the immense satisfaction comes from.

It took me two years to get my little cockleshell dry, I can't imagine what it would take on a mega-yacht like yours.