Deck Leak

[robert19954]

I am sure this is not a new question but every time it rains, (I don't have a cover), somehow the rain, which gathers down in the stern deck where we sit some how finds its way into the cabin. I can't find the leak, I do not see any decernable cracks. Some have suggested flooding the area and look for the leak, a friend of mine, who owns several boats suggested, clean the deck realy good then pour an epoxy pain onto the deck and let it flow and cover the deck, let it harden. He felt that should at least fill the suspected crack or cracks and maybe stop the leak into the cabin below.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Robert Sylvester

 

[tommays]

Well

Pouring glue over the boat seems a real bad idea

We go with cleaning things up and a hose above and a person below to spot the leak as its much more likely to be a bolt or screw holding down a piece of hardware

 

[Winkfish]

Robert, there's another thread on this forum called "Bilgewater Mystery." You may want to jump into that thread - very similar problem. Before doing the epoxy thing (messy and costly), I'd try the flooding with water or spraying a hose all over while someone is down below looking for a leak.

 

[Ctskip]

Two people, one up with water, the other below with dry hand and goods eyes. Start low and slow with the water and work your way up.
The epoxy idea is one of the worse ideas I've ever heard.
One can own several boats, obviously it doesn't make them well versed in their upkeep.

Keep it up,
Ctskip

 

[Rob19574]

Robert - you may want to post what kind of boat you have and how old it is. If you have a brand new boat verses a 30 yr-old boat....the advice is going to be very different.

- Rob

 

[Rag Bagger]

I have the same problem around a port hole. However, the entrance point is not there. Being a plumber and sailor, I found that water travels in it's own direction from it's entry point, so you will have to start slow, introduce water as close to the leak as possible and work your way around your boat until you recreate the leaking water. Depending on the construction of your boat, there may be voids causing the water to travel to it's final exit point. Good luck.

 

[Bill Roosa]

techniques

Start where the water pools, figure out which direction it is coming from using talc powder. Explore upstream, again using talc, till you find it.

 

[Mark Ferrick]

How about the talcum power trick

Sprinkle talcum power around the area and then hose it down. You should be able to see where the leak starts.

 

[Ross]

Re: How about the talcum power trick

You haven't mentioned the quantity of water that gets in or how quickly it happens. I wonder if your boat is on a trailer and sitting on a slope rather than sitting in the water and level. Spend a rainy day on your boat and see where the water goes and where it accumulates.

 

[robert19954]

Cabin Leak:
Thanks to all for your suggestions. I will put one person on top and the other in the cabin and flood with water and talc powder. The boat is an O'Day sail boat 23', 1979 or so. It is sitting on the trailer, has not been in the water for about three years.
About 6-8 inches of water gathers in the cabin after a good rain, even with the cabin door shut The battery storage case also fills with about 4 inches of water and the hatch is water tight.

After we find the crack what is the best way to seal it.
Robert Sylvester

 

[Ross]

Remember that there are 7.5 gallons in a cubic foot of water. So unless you are getting tropical storm rains an inch or two of rain is all you get. A square foot inch of rain is about .6 gallons. So you have in effect a funnel dumping water into your boat. It has to be a large catch basin with a hole in it.

 

[adirondackbob]

Robert, when we first bought our O'Day 23 a few years ago, we were puzzled because after a rain there would always be a small pool of water in the cabin at the foot of the companionway. Initially, I thought the water was coming in through the companionway. But one day while we were holed up in the cabin waiting for a thunderstorm to pass over, we noticed water trickling down both chainplates and dripping from the bolts that hold the mast step. At the end of that season I pulled the chainplates, removed the bulkheads and the mast step, cleaned everything and let it all dry out over the winter, and then re-bed the chainplates and mast step in the spring. No more water. Got a ton of help and advice from people on this discussion board.

Bob

 

[robert19954]

Thank you for your help, what paint would you use on the deck to seal the cracks?

Robert Sylvester

 

[Ross]

Paint doesn't seal cracks!

 

[robert19954]

Ross:
Is there anything you would use to repair the suspected cracks, and if there is a possible leak around the deck hardware any suggestions.
Robert Sylvester

 

[Ross]

if they really are cracks that leak then you should open them up a bit and fill them with thickened epoxy. As for deck hardware leaks the offending item should be removed and the deck cleaned and the item reinstalled with butyl tape caulk. Don't try to fix a leak by caulking around the deck hardware. It is messy and doesn't work.

 

[Ctskip]

First you must find where it is coming in from. Crack? doubtful but you never know. More than likely it's entering through a drilled hole in the deck. Be it a hand rail or port hole or wiring hole. I'd look in those areas first. Crack? Hmmm. I wouldn't bet on a crack, but I don't know your boat, nor what it's been through. Isn't the battery in the cabin somewhere? How about a picture. that would help us a bit. Maybe a stanchion/lifeline has worked loose or the sealant has dried up and cracked. Or the PO used something that doesn't quite seal very well. Look at everything that is bolted on deck above where you think the water might be entering and start there around those items that are added on the boat itself. Anywhere a hole is drilled through the fiberglass.
Being on a trailer is tough. Be sure the boat is level both ways when you do check for leaks. Best to float it empty and check that way.
Leaks have plagued sailors for centuries. I like the talc suggestion

Keep it up,
Ctskip