Help! Water under V- berth!

[Dan Busche]

I just checked on my 1993 H27! I had it on the trailer all winter with some tarp over it, with mast up! After the winter, I went down below and noticed water under the floor. Once I connected the battery, the bilge pump took care of that. Now I was getting my sleeping bag out and noticed water in both of the storage compartments under the v-berth. One had just a small amount, but the one closer to the bow had a couple of gallons! I am wondering if it could have come from the snow and coming down from the anchor locker. Or maybe from the trailer hook, it might have gotton loose. This is only one question though. Another question: Why do these compartments not drain into the bilge? There is no drain what so ever! Has anyone else had these problems? What can I do. I am planning on pumping the water out, but this makes me very nervous!

 

[Jay Kent]

I think you may have a problem

around the toe rail. If you have any water leaking around the rail or the stanchions from up on the bow, it can run into that area. With snow build-up, and then melted run off (or down) you can have a large accumulation over the period of several months. Suggest you check that area. Also, I don't know on the model that you have, but if there is any type of drain in the anchor locker, I'd look at the plumbing (hoses, clamps, etc) there too. A small shop vac will get you dry, again and a strong hose to the deck should help you find the source.

 

[Mike]

water

My 28.5 has a deep storage compartment under the v-berth which does not have a drain. I don't have a leakage problem there. To find out where the water is coming from you will have to do the tried and true water hose procedure. Get a garden hose w/sprayer and hose down everything on deck in the general area. Do the stanchions, the toe rails, the bowsprit, the chainplate for the bow stay, the anchor locker, the forward cleats.. any inlets like for your fresh water tank (mine is in the anchor locker)wherever there is hardware on deck...soak it good. Then go below (better yet get someone to do the water spraying while you go below and watch for the source(s)) and follow the water trail.I had lots of freshwater leaks aft this year. Found and eliminated every stinkin' one using a hose/sprayer and a helper.Mike

 

[Steve Dion]

Jay, it's not a Cherubini!

Jay:Dan has the new model H'27. It does not have the more traditional metal toe rail. It is doubtful that this is a source of his leak. Other than that all bets are off.

 

[Ken Paruch]

Water in forward storage areas

Dan, I have a H27, 1992 and experienced the same problem only to discover that the flex hose draining the bow chain locker was cracked. Water was diverted into the under v-berth storage area. Some water made it to the thru hull fitting and overboard but a lot entered this area. I removed a small v shaped plywood cover in the bow end of the vee berth to reveal a 7" length of drain hose with a split in it. Replacing the hose cured the prob. Good luck and hope this helps.