Common places to look for leaks?

[Wipe_Out]

Hi,
I recently dried out the bilge on our H326 and temporarily sealed the one identified leaking window.. After a few days of heavy rain I went down to the yard to check the boat and found there was quite a bit of "new" water in the bilge.. So I need to hunt down the source of the leak..

The boat is on the hard so water is not coming in through seacocks or the shaft seal and the water tank is empty and has been for a long time.

So other than windows/hatches what other common places are there for leaks to develop and let in rain water?

 

[DayDreamer41]

Keel stepped mast? Is the mast still up? Condition of the chain plate deck penetrations?

 

[Wipe_Out]

Deck stepped mast.. On initial check the chain plate penetrations looked ok but could have a closer inspection..

 

[Justin_NSA]

Deck stepped mast.. On initial check the chain plate penetrations looked ok but could have a closer inspection..

Also look in the cabin ceiling under the mast. The wire feed may be leaking.
Some powder sprinkled about will leave trails where water runs.

 

[rgranger]

Stanchion posts take a lot of strain and produce a lot of leverage strain at the base.

 

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[David in Sandusky]

The hull/deck joint?

Cockpit drains?

 

[nightowle]

First things, first. You need to mix yourself a bilge water martini....i.e. stick your finger in the water and take a lick. Is it salt or fresh water? If fresh, I'd recommend checking your hot water heater. Either the expansion plug or the hoses. Another step in this regard is to put your hot water to use either through the AC panel or with the engine on. If the bilge water is warm, then for sure it's the water heater. Another thing to try is placing paper towels at each juncture in your fresh water system. Check back in a day and see where there may be any wetness.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

From what I read, the boat is on the hard on stands. Ok here we go again. You want to seal the cabin up by closing all opening ports well, tape the hatch lids down so air cannot escape and get one full sheet of plastic to cover the entire companionway and tape it down. Slit it so a leaf blower can fit in the hole or slit taping around that. Then with another person with a bucket of soapy water and a brush, turn on the leaf blower and then start at the bow working back brushing every fitting, hull to deck joint and so on. If you see any bubbling coming out, most likely there is a leak there. What you have done is pressurizing the cabin and air must escape. Hope this helps you find your leak or leaks.

 

[Ken13559]

Places where leaks found on my h326:
Decj-hull joint, coach roof screw down into cabin, helms deck screw down into rear berth, rudder reference unit screw down into transom locker, windlass shaft leaks to woods under anchor locker in V-berth.

 

[907Juice]

I really like Dave’s post. But aside from that, start up top and in the front with whatever water you can find. Work slowly and go through all the hatches and deck hardware.

 

[Wipe_Out]

Thanks all. I will have a look at the suggestions.. Cleared out the V-berth this weekend and when removing the cushions found the previous owner had put a sheet of plastic under the cushions meaning the plywood in the v-berth is soaked and looks like it has been for a while with the black gunk on it.. Just hope the structural integrity of the wood hasn't been too compromised..

 

[tjar]

From what I read, the boat is on the hard on stands. Ok here we go again. You want to seal the cabin up by closing all opening ports well, tape the hatch lids down so air cannot escape and get one full sheet of plastic to cover the entire companionway and tape it down. Slit it so a leaf blower can fit in the hole or slit taping around that. Then with another person with a bucket of soapy water and a brush, turn on the leaf blower and then start at the bow working back brushing every fitting, hull to deck joint and so on. If you see any bubbling coming out, most likely there is a leak there. What you have done is pressurizing the cabin and air must escape. Hope this helps you find your leak or leaks.

I tried this approach and didn't get it to work. IDK if I hadn't sealed all of the big holes sufficiently, or if my leaf blower wasn't putting out enough volume of air. Thinking of trying it again using an old furnace blower for more air volume, or putting in a stage smoke generator and look for the smoke leaking out. I've seen videos of this method to find leaks in houses.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Two things. Unless you secured everything inside and outside as suggested, maybe a larger volume. The smoke method per a few did not work in many areas