Like many others I've had a persistent mystery leak for years. I've covered all the obvious spots by:
* caulking around the hull/CB riser and floor liner seam under the table by CB bolt(no water leaking there)
* caulking inside the salon step between tank vent and floor liner seam (no water leaking there)
* piped in a bilge outlet air gap loop to prevent backflow on a breezy starboard tack(Only logical source of salty bilge water).
* Removed stern rub rail and inspected for cracks between hull and deck seam. Seam perfectly intact.
* Installed full hatch cover/companionway canvas (very effectively stopped rain driven leaks)
* Rebedded all through hulls (no leaks discovered)
* Inspected all fixed and latched windows. (no leaks found)
* inspected all the internal plumbing (no leaks)
* flooded and inspected the anchor locker drain (no leak)
* Inspected area beneath the V-berth under the water tank (bone dry).
* tried baby powder to trace leaks
* I still consistently get a couple gals in the aft bilge after a weekend of sailing and now have the port setee gathering fresh water.
Most recently I went from bone dry to nearly 3gals in the port setee after one day of monsoon type rain in May while the boat was merely tied to the dock. The interior port seat cushions were soaked and below them is a completely sealed storage area where I found 3gals and there was no water in any other section??!! My suspect area is at the mast base tabernacle joint.
I brought the boat home and heavily hosed the suspicious area around the mast base and port windows and had NO leak. arrggg. If water is running down the mast, in between the tabernacle and the cabin roof, above the ceiling liner and down the wall, soaking the port cushions and running into the port storage I can fix it. Like yourself, finding it is the issue.
Hope my list helps to eliminate some spots.
Frustrated, Mike
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