Found some rotten wood

[Stephen Cairns]

I was staying on my 1989 Hunter 30 this past weekend and when I went to go to bed in the aft berth I found that my mattress was a little damp . In the morning I noticed that the vinyl coating on the bulk head was blistering . I strated to peel away and found that the wood under the vinyl was damp and as I started to poke around found that the bottom section was rotten . I was unable to determine where the water was comming from as there was no pools of water present and where it has rotted there is no where for water to gather , the only thing I can think has happened is water has gotten trapped behind this vinyl and over time has rotted the wood . So is there anybody out there that has experienced this same thing ? Although this appeares to just separate the aft berth from the back storage area is this a support bulkhead . Help would be appreciated .Thanks dscairns@lks.net

 

[John Verhulst]

Been there, done that!

Stephen,I found the same problem on my '91 30T when I cut a hole in the rear bulkhead to help remove the leaking holding tank. FYI-if your holding tank is aluminum, and original equipment, better check it out too.I replaced most of the center section (24" x 50")with matching laminated plywood. Because I understand that this is a load-bearing bulkhead, I added 1x2 supports under the locker floor and added fiberglass to the locker side to secure it.My rotten wood appeared to come from 2 sources, the leaky holding tank and a mysterious water source on the starboard side. I have re-caulked the base of the pedistal, diesel fill, instruments and hatches. Water can travel quite a ways along the fiberglass. Good luck.

 

[LLOYD]

SAME PROBLEM

I TO FOUND WATER AS YOU DID ,MY WOOD IS NOT ROTTEN YET BUT I SEARCHED,POURED WATER EVERYWHERE BUT NO LEAK.MY WATER TANK IS FIBER GLASS & NO WATER AROUND IT.A REAL MYSTERY TO ME

 

[Doug Thom]

Same problem

I have found the same problem. I suspect it may come from rainwater or deck washing runoff from the stern locker lids. After a vigorous hose down of the cockpit I often find water in the stern lockers which I think can find its way down to the lower access areas. I also cut a stern cabin access panel to remove the holding tank and allow access to the batteries. Much easier to service now.

 

[LLOYD]

FOUND MY TROUBLE

STEVE; I HAVE A H-31 85- I FOUND MY PROBLEM ,IT MAY BE YOURS TO.EVERY TIME I FOUND WATER WAS LONG AFTER I USED THE ENGINE,THIS TIME-BY ACCIDENT WE CHECKED FOR WATER RIGHT AFTER WE CAME IN FROM A SAIL.THE PORT SIDE WITH THE CUSHIONS HAD WATER .I WENT TO THE STARBOARD LOCKER,BEHIND THE FUEL TANK I FOUND A COUPLE DROPS OF WATER.AFTER LOOKING CLOSE I FOUND THE EXHAUST HOSE WAS ROTTEN AT THE HOSE CLAMPS.HOPE IT HELPS