This past weekend I went out to winterize my 1996 H29.5. I noticed that the forward most part of the starboard v-berth cushion was wet. Upon further investigation, the starboard panel covering was also wet and more so behind it as we discovered when we pulled the lining back. I removed the starboard trim piece in the v-berth and the forward panel which provides access forward as well as the ceiling access panel on the starboard side. I cannot find the source of the leak. The port side is completely dry. A possible location would be the anchor locker which is right above. Pictures are really of no help, as you can't see much from them. Has anyone experienced or heard of a leak in this location? Should I remove the entire lining on the starboard side so water does not continue to be trapped there? I will be heading out again this weekend to do some more investigative work. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
I have a leak!
- Thread starter Rich9439
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29.5 leaks
Mine leaks everywhere BUT your spot. I suspect water seeping into the rubrail because the caulk is weak after nearly ten years. Recall that there's a fair amount of caulk up there where the rubrail meets the bow. What I'd like to see is a sequential troubleshooting list from someone who's successfull stopped sailboats from leaking. I'm sure there's some logic or thing I'm overlooking. It's frustrating... but I'm not complaining.
Mine leaks everywhere BUT your spot. I suspect water seeping into the rubrail because the caulk is weak after nearly ten years. Recall that there's a fair amount of caulk up there where the rubrail meets the bow. What I'd like to see is a sequential troubleshooting list from someone who's successfull stopped sailboats from leaking. I'm sure there's some logic or thing I'm overlooking. It's frustrating... but I'm not complaining.
Troubleshooting List
Whatever it is, I have a similar leak in the Transom on my '88 33.5. I'm under the impression mine is due to a crack in the cover for the manual tiller. In addition to Bill's thoughts, perhaps a cleat or stantion that's letting water in?
Whatever it is, I have a similar leak in the Transom on my '88 33.5. I'm under the impression mine is due to a crack in the cover for the manual tiller. In addition to Bill's thoughts, perhaps a cleat or stantion that's letting water in?
Running water
Rich, remember that water can run "hanging" from a nearly horizonal surface before dropping off (in this case to the cushion). The most likely candidate on the 29.5 would be the caulking around the front window (windshield) or the V-berth hatch. If you boat has a slight list to starboard, light rain leaking through either may run across the ceiling and then drip down on the cushion. I seriously doubt anything is coming from the anchor locker or the rub rail. Also remember that now that the days are shorter, that wet towel that your 5 year old left in the V-berth and socked the cushion? Well its not going to dry real quick!
Rich, remember that water can run "hanging" from a nearly horizonal surface before dropping off (in this case to the cushion). The most likely candidate on the 29.5 would be the caulking around the front window (windshield) or the V-berth hatch. If you boat has a slight list to starboard, light rain leaking through either may run across the ceiling and then drip down on the cushion. I seriously doubt anything is coming from the anchor locker or the rub rail. Also remember that now that the days are shorter, that wet towel that your 5 year old left in the V-berth and socked the cushion? Well its not going to dry real quick!
Could it be
I did have this leak and I looked up and noticed that where the pin goes through and pins the ancor cover down there is an area that is totaly open and when you fill or wash the ancor locker,some water finds its way. I do agree check the calk as well The Vessel: BOB In Pueblo,CO.
I did have this leak and I looked up and noticed that where the pin goes through and pins the ancor cover down there is an area that is totaly open and when you fill or wash the ancor locker,some water finds its way. I do agree check the calk as well The Vessel: BOB In Pueblo,CO.
I had same problem
I had a leak from the spot where the ancohr locker pin locks in also. I pulled the cover and filled the whole void with west system and sealed it up. No more leaks. Jim
I had a leak from the spot where the ancohr locker pin locks in also. I pulled the cover and filled the whole void with west system and sealed it up. No more leaks. Jim
29.5 water leak
Had the same problem in my 96 29.5. I checked everything . Turned out that is was the drain in the anchor locker. The water was getting arround the drain and running down the hose and dripping behind the pannel and into the v berth onto the bedding. It is hard to see. Lie on your back and have a friend spray water into the anchor locker. I was able to see the water running down the hose. I took the drain out and resealed it . Since then no leak---Clint
Had the same problem in my 96 29.5. I checked everything . Turned out that is was the drain in the anchor locker. The water was getting arround the drain and running down the hose and dripping behind the pannel and into the v berth onto the bedding. It is hard to see. Lie on your back and have a friend spray water into the anchor locker. I was able to see the water running down the hose. I took the drain out and resealed it . Since then no leak---Clint
This is too KUEL
So Cool to get answers Great answers for a great Boat I am proud to be an American and to be the owner of a (BOB) 1994 Hunter 29.5
So Cool to get answers Great answers for a great Boat I am proud to be an American and to be the owner of a (BOB) 1994 Hunter 29.5
been there
we found that leak .,, had too re seal stachion mounts with 5200 and found that there were 2 out of the 4 bolts missing go fig ..........
we found that leak .,, had too re seal stachion mounts with 5200 and found that there were 2 out of the 4 bolts missing go fig ..........
Same issue this week-end
We just discovered the same problme this week-end (move out day on Saturday). When the wife pulled the v-berth mattress to take home for the winter, she noticed that the port side corner of the forward mattress was damp, not soaked, but damp. I did the quick 3 minute inspection of looking at the area, looking into the wells to make sure we didn't have any standing water (or worse running water). Sinc ethe boat is getting pulled on Monday, I decided to wait until another week-end to dig deeper into the problem and find the leak. My initial thought was a stachion, but the bow hatch and anchor locker will give me somewhere else to look. Whereever it is, I'm hoping that some 5200 should take care of the problem....
We just discovered the same problme this week-end (move out day on Saturday). When the wife pulled the v-berth mattress to take home for the winter, she noticed that the port side corner of the forward mattress was damp, not soaked, but damp. I did the quick 3 minute inspection of looking at the area, looking into the wells to make sure we didn't have any standing water (or worse running water). Sinc ethe boat is getting pulled on Monday, I decided to wait until another week-end to dig deeper into the problem and find the leak. My initial thought was a stachion, but the bow hatch and anchor locker will give me somewhere else to look. Whereever it is, I'm hoping that some 5200 should take care of the problem....
Me too
I have a 1992 Hunter 28. When I took ou the V-Berth we noticed a mold stop on the Teak on the STBD side of the boat! I think it may be to fresh water intake leaking oe the anchor locker drain.
I have a 1992 Hunter 28. When I took ou the V-Berth we noticed a mold stop on the Teak on the STBD side of the boat! I think it may be to fresh water intake leaking oe the anchor locker drain.
Me Too - Fixed....
I have chased the same leak on the starboard side for nine years - yes, nine years. I have found that the probable cause of the problem is the hole that is drilled in the side of the anchor locker to receive the anchor locker latch. If you look at yours, you will see a plate that surrounds a plain drilled hole that travels perpendicular to the fibre layers of the hull. There is no sealing provided. When I place a hose over the hole, I get a small dribble of water that appears from a pin hole in the fibreglass a good two to three feet from the hatch (about mid way along the v-berth). From there, it seeps down the back of the liner, along the base of the vberth, and then around the hard wood furring stip. Whan I get up the enthusiasm, I am going to replace the latch plate with one that has a sealed female tube to receive the latch. For now, I use a rubber grommet and silicone to seal the hole, and don't use the male portion of the latch. It has cured the problem. If you have the same problem, you will have to look very, very carefully to find it, but it was sufficient to cause mildewing of the cushions, and require me to refinish the furring strips. Before I found it, I reseated all of the stanchions (and found many other leaks where holes had been mis-drilled and filled (poorly) with silicone), recaulked all of the ports and hatches. Most significantly, I removed all of the old caulk from the rub-rail and replaced it. This had a dramatic effect (don't believe Hunter when they say that the joint between the upper and lower halves of the hull cannot leak - they do). It took a while to find the last leak mentioned above, but even the "unsatisfactory" fix referenced now leaves me pretty watertight. Aside from the physical presence of w leak, we have always found that the aft-portion of the "V"-Berth cushion feels "cool" to the touch when you return to the boat. We stand ours up, or cover it with blanket, and it (and the blanket) feel perfectly fine on return. The design of the locker latch is a disgrace. If any of you have already changed to a better design, I'd appreciate seeing it. Good Luck!
I have chased the same leak on the starboard side for nine years - yes, nine years. I have found that the probable cause of the problem is the hole that is drilled in the side of the anchor locker to receive the anchor locker latch. If you look at yours, you will see a plate that surrounds a plain drilled hole that travels perpendicular to the fibre layers of the hull. There is no sealing provided. When I place a hose over the hole, I get a small dribble of water that appears from a pin hole in the fibreglass a good two to three feet from the hatch (about mid way along the v-berth). From there, it seeps down the back of the liner, along the base of the vberth, and then around the hard wood furring stip. Whan I get up the enthusiasm, I am going to replace the latch plate with one that has a sealed female tube to receive the latch. For now, I use a rubber grommet and silicone to seal the hole, and don't use the male portion of the latch. It has cured the problem. If you have the same problem, you will have to look very, very carefully to find it, but it was sufficient to cause mildewing of the cushions, and require me to refinish the furring strips. Before I found it, I reseated all of the stanchions (and found many other leaks where holes had been mis-drilled and filled (poorly) with silicone), recaulked all of the ports and hatches. Most significantly, I removed all of the old caulk from the rub-rail and replaced it. This had a dramatic effect (don't believe Hunter when they say that the joint between the upper and lower halves of the hull cannot leak - they do). It took a while to find the last leak mentioned above, but even the "unsatisfactory" fix referenced now leaves me pretty watertight. Aside from the physical presence of w leak, we have always found that the aft-portion of the "V"-Berth cushion feels "cool" to the touch when you return to the boat. We stand ours up, or cover it with blanket, and it (and the blanket) feel perfectly fine on return. The design of the locker latch is a disgrace. If any of you have already changed to a better design, I'd appreciate seeing it. Good Luck!
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