H31 Aft Cabin Leak

[sail902]

1984 Hunter 31 has a leak that is dripping from the ridge that hangs down along the genoa track in the aft port cabin almost all the way back. Some water must have got inside that fiberglass ridge, froze and cracked it almost all the way aft. The water doesn't drip from the bolts, but a crack in that ridge. When it rains, it drips pretty good. I have run a hose on that genoa track and can't seem to make it drip. I saw a previous thread on a leak from the same area and was wondering if anyone has found the source of a leak in that area? I can try to take a picture next time I'm at the boat.
Thank you

 

[mr c]

I have the same leak. I can't find it either. I think it's coming from the fixed window. Mine leak right onto the navigation table. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Steve Dion]

Have you tried removing the jib track and checking it out.

 

[sail902]

Thanks Mr C- I hope we can track it down.
Steve- I havn't removed the jib track yet, that's a major task that's going to take two people. I haven't seen evidence that it's leaking from the track. I let the hose run into the depression where the track is mounted for quite a while and it didn't drip. It leaks from the fiberglass ridge that runs slightly inboard of the track on the underside of the port side deck. That ridge is cracked almost all the way on the aft end of it in the quarter berth. It looks like water got in there, froze and cracked it a little. Now when it rains, it drips pretty good from that little crack into a plastic tub that I have proped up so that it rests agains the carpet on the inside of the hull under that ridge/track. If that ridge is hollow, the water could be running down from anywhere along the port side deck. I caulked the gap between the side deck and the toe rail this year. Last year, I guess water got down in that gap and froze, now I have little cracks in the deck along the toe rail. I might have to try to pressurize the cabin to find the leak, but that's gotta be a major project and not sure how I could get all the openings sealed enough to create enough positive pressure. Has anyone done that?

 

[Keith13315]

Guys
The engine panel was the culprit on my 31 1984. We made a sunbrella cover that snaps over the panel and high enough to go under the port lazzerete seat. No water since then. Good Luck.Keith

 

[Robert580]

Sail902,
I have the same problems with all spots mentioned, Fixed windows and aft cabin. Rebedding the fixed window to starboard was easy, the aft cabin leak seems to be from where the rain gutter turns to exit @ toe rail, right in the molded turn small cracks seem to allow the leakage. Still investigating just covered the cracks this weekend and will check this week since we have rain coming.

 

[mghunter310]

Aft Hunter 310 1997 leak

I too have a aft leak and think I have discovered the source.

It appears all the wiring from the steering wheel etc goes under the cockpit floor and enters above the aft cabin thru a hole bored thru the fiberglass.

In my case the rear wooden partition inside the cabin started to get wet.

This hole is also near the built drains from the cockpit and the sealant fell off years ago.

In trying to fit a transducer cable, I discovered a lot of dirt and rubbish had formed a bit of a dam, causing the cockpit water to run thru the wiring and so into the aft cabin.

The problem I have is trying to lift the seperate rear cockpit floor out to get to the steering etc etc under it. I can lift the rear of it up about 1 foot but cannot remove it.

It seems you have to remove or loose the steering column to allow you to lift the floor off (otherwise it seems to be caught near the column itself) - any prior attempts / hints ?

Mark

 

[Dan Johnson]

Aft cabin leak...

Robert is on the right track. I had a persistant leak in the portside aft cabin of my H34 very much like the one you describe. After rebedding/recaulking all the opening ports on the Port side did the leak stop. Since the H31's construction is amost identical to the H34 this might be a solution for you to explore.

 

[Mark Nooney]

I have the same leak - when we surveyed the boat I borrowed the moisture meter and followed moisture to the port side cabin hand rail. Particularly to the first attachment spot starting from the aft side. I am going to remove the grab bar and reseat. I'll let you know how it works out.