Deck Leak ideas?

[musicaltrees]

My 1986 Newport 30 has developed a sneaky little leak that I cannot pinpoint for the life of me... and it's getting worse and starting to rot the teak beneath the starboard window. It seems to be entering right through the deck, overhead, at the main bulkhead, drips down toward the starboard port and down onto my bunk. I've caulked the mast and any through-deck fittings in the area...

any ideas or suggestions welcome!

Joe

 

[Ted]

Deck Leak Ideas

Here's a great way to find leaks. Get a vacuum cleaner capable of reversing the air flow by placing the hose on the outflow side. Place the hose inside the cabin and leave the vacuum cleaner portion in the cockpit. Seal all openings with tape and plastic as best you can. Close all hatches and ports. Now turn on the vacuum cleaner and pressurize the cabin with air. Get a bucket with some soapy water and apply it from the outside with a brush or sponge to any areas that are potential areas for leaks. A leak will be detected where you see bubbles forming when the soapy water is applied to the problem area. Now you'll know where the leak is coming from. Check all areas while you're at it because water can travel a long distance before it ends up dripping inside the cabin.

 

[musicaltrees]

Here's a great way to find leaks. Get a vacuum cleaner capable of reversing the air flow by placing the hose on the outflow side. Place the hose inside the cabin and leave the vacuum cleaner portion in the cockpit. Seal all openings with tape and plastic as best you can. Close all hatches and ports. Now turn on the vacuum cleaner and pressurize the cabin with air. Get a bucket with some soapy water and apply it from the outside with a brush or sponge to any areas that are potential areas for leaks. A leak will be detected where you see bubbles forming when the soapy water is applied to the problem area. Now you'll know where the leak is coming from. Check all areas while you're at it because water can travel a long distance before it ends up dripping inside the cabin.

thanks for the tip... getting a whole cabin pressurized sounds tough, but it's certainly worth a try at this point... thanks,
joe