I just added some vents to my hatchboards due to incredible mustiness and mold growing on my teak. The bilge stays fairly dry, so I doubt that contributes to the problem. Cushions always seem damp. I also seem to be getting an odor from the head that permeates the cabin, but sniffing around there shows no problems and there doesn't seem to be any leaking. My wife thinks it's a mold smell. I do plan on adding at least one solar vent before winter.. Any other suggestion s on moisture and odor control issues. (I can't tell you how many air fresheners I've tried)
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Portlight leaks
I found that I had a few small leaks around the portlights that kept the cushions or cabin sides damp. Try putting some plastic containers at the end of the lips of the overhead liner. See if you collect any water there. That is a good sign of leaks around the ports or the overhead hatch (depending on year). If so, remove the ports and reseal them. Dont even try just adding sealant. Good luck
I found that I had a few small leaks around the portlights that kept the cushions or cabin sides damp. Try putting some plastic containers at the end of the lips of the overhead liner. See if you collect any water there. That is a good sign of leaks around the ports or the overhead hatch (depending on year). If so, remove the ports and reseal them. Dont even try just adding sealant. Good luck
Other leaks
My newly aquired H27 (1980) leaks thru the pulpit bolts (I believe). What ever the source water drips to the foot (fore) of the V berth. Needless to say the mildew loves it. After I succeed in stopping the dripping I'll replace the cushions (I've taken them out already). By the way - the cushions looked OK. Old but OK. It was only by noticing that they were damp did I discover the mold underneath the outer cover.
My newly aquired H27 (1980) leaks thru the pulpit bolts (I believe). What ever the source water drips to the foot (fore) of the V berth. Needless to say the mildew loves it. After I succeed in stopping the dripping I'll replace the cushions (I've taken them out already). By the way - the cushions looked OK. Old but OK. It was only by noticing that they were damp did I discover the mold underneath the outer cover.
one more possibility
Another spot to consider is the thru bolt on the forward anchor locker cover - if you have it. I found that some water was getting thru that point. I got some marine caulk, squeezed it into the bolt receiving hole and put a baggy on the bolt and put the bolt thru. When the caulk dried I pulled the bolt back and cut/trimmed the baggy and caulk. No problem since. Jim McCue
Another spot to consider is the thru bolt on the forward anchor locker cover - if you have it. I found that some water was getting thru that point. I got some marine caulk, squeezed it into the bolt receiving hole and put a baggy on the bolt and put the bolt thru. When the caulk dried I pulled the bolt back and cut/trimmed the baggy and caulk. No problem since. Jim McCue
Great Idea!
Hey Jim, When I was poking around the bow I noticed just what you said but hadn't yet given it much thought. Love the idea of the baggie! I'll give it a shot. By the way what are the differences between marine chalk and silicon?
Hey Jim, When I was poking around the bow I noticed just what you said but hadn't yet given it much thought. Love the idea of the baggie! I'll give it a shot. By the way what are the differences between marine chalk and silicon?
Check Other Through-Bolts?
Is there more smell after some good rains than after the boat has been in the sun for a week? If so, a water leak sounds very plausible. Through-bolts and non-through-bolts/screws can be a path for allowing water to enter the deck core or the space between the coach room and inside liner. If you are not finding water and the bilge is dry I would be really suspicious of water leaks into the deck. One great source of deck leaks are genoa track through-bolts because there are a lot of them and they get loaded. Other leak sources are things like hatches, ports, and various other fasteners for handles, turning blocks, etc. I don't know how the 27 is constructed, i.e., liner or not, but look under the deck near the hull joint. It may just feel damp. A surveyor could be enlisted to help too and with the cost for deck core repair might be money well spent catching the problem before it gets worse.
Is there more smell after some good rains than after the boat has been in the sun for a week? If so, a water leak sounds very plausible. Through-bolts and non-through-bolts/screws can be a path for allowing water to enter the deck core or the space between the coach room and inside liner. If you are not finding water and the bilge is dry I would be really suspicious of water leaks into the deck. One great source of deck leaks are genoa track through-bolts because there are a lot of them and they get loaded. Other leak sources are things like hatches, ports, and various other fasteners for handles, turning blocks, etc. I don't know how the 27 is constructed, i.e., liner or not, but look under the deck near the hull joint. It may just feel damp. A surveyor could be enlisted to help too and with the cost for deck core repair might be money well spent catching the problem before it gets worse.
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