I'm looking for some advise on a recently discovered problem with my H23. This is the second season I have owned this 1985 boat. I sail on lake Erie out of Cleveland, and keep her on dry dock during the winter. Before I put her in the yr, I sanded and painted the entire hull w/Interlux antifouling paint. After launching a few weeks ago, I noticed a very slow leak from the 2 small plugs under the foward floorboard in the main cabin under the mast and table area. When I pulled the plugs, about 1.5 inches of dirty brown water poured in (Please, no Cleveland jokes here, the water in the marina is NOT brown). After cleaning this up, about 1 week later it reappeared, this time water also filled in about 1 inch under the aft floorboard. No water under the middle board though. Is this a problem with water leaking in around the hull/keel joint, since I did not re-caulk after sanding? Could this water be leaking in from the side rub rail (which is missing some caulk) or the mast boot?. Or is this a problem with leaking keel bolts? By the way, how many keel bolts are there in a H23, and what is the purpose for those 2 small plugs I previously mentioned. I should mention the boat did not leak last season and ever since the boat has been in the water this year it has rained a significant ammount. Thanks
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Name this tune
Me 2
Yes, on my H23 it sometimes has water sometimes not, seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. Usually I soak it up with a towel. Could be condensation.
Yes, on my H23 it sometimes has water sometimes not, seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. Usually I soak it up with a towel. Could be condensation.
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Dave Condon
leak
Doubt seriously it is the keel bolts. Suggest looking at the shroud chain plates and recaulk. Check the forward anchor area. Could be a drain hose connection in the anchor well or the rear storage area. Have some one spray with water to check for leaks at all fittings. Better yet, close up the boat and seal with tape, plastic, etc. Then take a leaf blower and blow into the cabin. Make sure area or hatch board area is sealed with plastic and tape with the leaf blower thru plastic. Take soapy water and a brush to all fittings and deck joints. When you see bubbles, bingo you found the leak or leaks, good luck. Forgot to tell you that there are several areas below the floor in the stringer area where water collects that you cannot get to;. Believe the brown is coming from that. It will dry up in time when all leaks are fixede. Crazy Dave
Doubt seriously it is the keel bolts. Suggest looking at the shroud chain plates and recaulk. Check the forward anchor area. Could be a drain hose connection in the anchor well or the rear storage area. Have some one spray with water to check for leaks at all fittings. Better yet, close up the boat and seal with tape, plastic, etc. Then take a leaf blower and blow into the cabin. Make sure area or hatch board area is sealed with plastic and tape with the leaf blower thru plastic. Take soapy water and a brush to all fittings and deck joints. When you see bubbles, bingo you found the leak or leaks, good luck. Forgot to tell you that there are several areas below the floor in the stringer area where water collects that you cannot get to;. Believe the brown is coming from that. It will dry up in time when all leaks are fixede. Crazy Dave
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Mark
Brtown water!
I have had a small amount of very brown water seeping from inside of my transom down into the locker floor. This water was filtering in from leaky pintles (rudder fittings) and was turning brown from the glues/wood that is sandwiched in the transom. The immediate solution was to remove these fittings and rebed them with 3M 5200 sealant. The long term question is , has these lead compromised the integrity of the transom. I have also head to rebed all of the lifeline stantions and the bow pulpit. They also were leaking and needed this rework. However the rain water that leaked in from these that collected in the floorboard area was not brown but fairly clear. I would advise you to rebed all exterior fittings if they have not been done in the last 6 - 10 years. I
I have had a small amount of very brown water seeping from inside of my transom down into the locker floor. This water was filtering in from leaky pintles (rudder fittings) and was turning brown from the glues/wood that is sandwiched in the transom. The immediate solution was to remove these fittings and rebed them with 3M 5200 sealant. The long term question is , has these lead compromised the integrity of the transom. I have also head to rebed all of the lifeline stantions and the bow pulpit. They also were leaking and needed this rework. However the rain water that leaked in from these that collected in the floorboard area was not brown but fairly clear. I would advise you to rebed all exterior fittings if they have not been done in the last 6 - 10 years. I
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Geoff Kloster
Or maybe...
When I had brown water in the bilge I discovered it was blue/brown when I took it outside into the light. This lead to a discovery of a cracked porta potty. Not a pleasant thought, but at least now i know the blue stuff really does take care of oders. There's no plugs in mine. Could the previous owner put them there because of water problems? Our H23 has been bone dry from sailing but frequently takes on rain water. The biggest leak was the holes for the screws that hold the cockpit drain cover. Sometimes water comes in via the anchor locker. Sometimes it comes in via the cooler when I forget to plug the drain. Take the v berth sole off and check for porta potty drainage. Geoff
When I had brown water in the bilge I discovered it was blue/brown when I took it outside into the light. This lead to a discovery of a cracked porta potty. Not a pleasant thought, but at least now i know the blue stuff really does take care of oders. There's no plugs in mine. Could the previous owner put them there because of water problems? Our H23 has been bone dry from sailing but frequently takes on rain water. The biggest leak was the holes for the screws that hold the cockpit drain cover. Sometimes water comes in via the anchor locker. Sometimes it comes in via the cooler when I forget to plug the drain. Take the v berth sole off and check for porta potty drainage. Geoff
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keith smoot
Leaks in my 87 H-23
Gwaihir leaks on it's trailer. If the port side of the boat is low, rain runs from the bow, into the gutter around the lazarette(sp?)cover, the aft part of the port seat. This fills the lazarette which then drains into the 3 very shallow bilges. The sliding hatch has no gaskets and also leaks, even when level. I have just resealed the chainplates with 5200. The hinged cover over the sliding hatch will leak in a driving rain. All this water should find it's way to the bilges. Hope this helps. Keith Smoot
Gwaihir leaks on it's trailer. If the port side of the boat is low, rain runs from the bow, into the gutter around the lazarette(sp?)cover, the aft part of the port seat. This fills the lazarette which then drains into the 3 very shallow bilges. The sliding hatch has no gaskets and also leaks, even when level. I have just resealed the chainplates with 5200. The hinged cover over the sliding hatch will leak in a driving rain. All this water should find it's way to the bilges. Hope this helps. Keith Smoot
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Kris Cox
Common
I have seen a number of similar posts in the past. I also had the same problem. It turned out that my water was getting in through my companionway hatch. Apparently, when the slide rails filled with water, they would overflow and somehow the water would make its way doen to the keel bolts. At first, I was convinced that the leak was at the bolts. But then, I started covering the companion way with a UV-coated tarp (secured with bungees at the corners), and I have never had the water since. Kris "Clarity"
I have seen a number of similar posts in the past. I also had the same problem. It turned out that my water was getting in through my companionway hatch. Apparently, when the slide rails filled with water, they would overflow and somehow the water would make its way doen to the keel bolts. At first, I was convinced that the leak was at the bolts. But then, I started covering the companion way with a UV-coated tarp (secured with bungees at the corners), and I have never had the water since. Kris "Clarity"
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