Can anyone tell me how the main bilge based/floor (beneath the main access hatch next to the aft dinette seat-the lowest point in the boat) of the '85 H34 is constructed? My specific quesitons: 1) Is there a space/layer beneath this bilge floor and inside the hull, or is this THE structural hull, and only the keel lies beneath. 2) If there is a space between this "tray" and the interior hull, can water collect there, or is it bonded/glassed to the hull interior? I have water seeping in though small "stress" cracks in this area as well as the screw holes for the bilge pump mounting brackets which are anchored to the floor, and I'm trying to understand whether this water is coming directly in from outside (cracks extend through the hull), or whether it is coming in from the hull interior (cracks only in the "tray" and hence some other leak above or below the waterline exists). thanks in advance for your input.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
John K Kudera
Bilgewater
Scott, remove the metal table leg and base, you will find an access to the area between the inner and outer hulls, using a wet vaccum, clean that area, you may then find if the water seepage is thru the hull or from some other source. My guess is it is from the stuffing box, ice box drain, and any fresh water leaks you have. I also found a small leak at the thru hull fitting for the sink drain in the head.Best of luck!
Scott, remove the metal table leg and base, you will find an access to the area between the inner and outer hulls, using a wet vaccum, clean that area, you may then find if the water seepage is thru the hull or from some other source. My guess is it is from the stuffing box, ice box drain, and any fresh water leaks you have. I also found a small leak at the thru hull fitting for the sink drain in the head.Best of luck!
T
Tom
That is the Hull
That area you described is the inside of the hull. I don't believe there are any voids underneath...just the keel. If I saw leaks through cracks in this area...I'd have it checked out. Tom s/v UNITY
That area you described is the inside of the hull. I don't believe there are any voids underneath...just the keel. If I saw leaks through cracks in this area...I'd have it checked out. Tom s/v UNITY
E
Ed Schenck
Hull or liner?
Why are you sure of this Tom? I personally do not know but would like to. Where does the liner end when it is glassed onto the hull? I thought it was a complete shell that was molded to tightly fit the hull at the bilge. This would account for spaces for trapped water under the bilge pump screws and seeping from cracks in the sides of the bilge. Anyone ever see an H34 under construction? Would Hunter tell us?
Why are you sure of this Tom? I personally do not know but would like to. Where does the liner end when it is glassed onto the hull? I thought it was a complete shell that was molded to tightly fit the hull at the bilge. This would account for spaces for trapped water under the bilge pump screws and seeping from cracks in the sides of the bilge. Anyone ever see an H34 under construction? Would Hunter tell us?
A
Andy Howard
Liner
Take a look at the pictures that Lambert Saint-Pierre posted. The botton of your bildge is still a part of the one piece liner. Do what Kudera recommends and I'm sure you will find water under the table leg mount.
Take a look at the pictures that Lambert Saint-Pierre posted. The botton of your bildge is still a part of the one piece liner. Do what Kudera recommends and I'm sure you will find water under the table leg mount.
J
Jeff Jones
What I did
On our 34, I carefully took a dremel with a tile cutting bit (works wonderfully to cut glass) and cut four 1 inch holes starting at the top edge of the bilge sump, one on each side of the sump. I found about a half inch clearance behind the liner which was filled with water surrounding the sump liner. I carefully continued downward, making the circle's oval's now, until the liner met the hull. Did this in the fall with the boat out of the water and let it dry out til spring. Filled the very small gaps which were below the bottom of my oval's with epoxy. Left the new drain holes intact. Accessed other bilge segments throughout boat and carefully ground drain holes where there were none. Throughally washed out bilge as best I could, and all the water seemed to come to the sump as it should (except of course engine sump). Added PYI dripless and fixed other small freshwater leaks including plugging the refer drain. I now have a completely dry bilge with no smells, no slime, and no worries of freezing water damage between the hull and the liner (I still throw in some antifreeze in the winter as cheap insurance)! Jeff S/V Escapade
On our 34, I carefully took a dremel with a tile cutting bit (works wonderfully to cut glass) and cut four 1 inch holes starting at the top edge of the bilge sump, one on each side of the sump. I found about a half inch clearance behind the liner which was filled with water surrounding the sump liner. I carefully continued downward, making the circle's oval's now, until the liner met the hull. Did this in the fall with the boat out of the water and let it dry out til spring. Filled the very small gaps which were below the bottom of my oval's with epoxy. Left the new drain holes intact. Accessed other bilge segments throughout boat and carefully ground drain holes where there were none. Throughally washed out bilge as best I could, and all the water seemed to come to the sump as it should (except of course engine sump). Added PYI dripless and fixed other small freshwater leaks including plugging the refer drain. I now have a completely dry bilge with no smells, no slime, and no worries of freezing water damage between the hull and the liner (I still throw in some antifreeze in the winter as cheap insurance)! Jeff S/V Escapade
S
Scott
Great information, how deep to go?
Any photos of your new drain holes in the Bilge available? How did you insure that you didn't grind right through the hull instead of just through the liner? Any concerns over structural integrity impact of your grinding?
Any photos of your new drain holes in the Bilge available? How did you insure that you didn't grind right through the hull instead of just through the liner? Any concerns over structural integrity impact of your grinding?
J
Jeff Jones
Small Holes
Small, rounded edges, no pictures. Absolutely no concerns about structural integrity. I will try to remember to take my camera to the boat this weekend and take a few shots. Jeff Jones S/V Escapade
Small, rounded edges, no pictures. Absolutely no concerns about structural integrity. I will try to remember to take my camera to the boat this weekend and take a few shots. Jeff Jones S/V Escapade
- Status
- Not open for further replies.