Leak at companionway

[lpbosch]

i recently found a leak behind the board (now delaminates) that attaches to the bulkhead directly behind the ladder. The PO obviously put a lot of holes in this area but none of them go through into the cockpit. Anyone have their problem? I have the unlouvered doors.

 

[Elysium_Van_Isl]

You're sure the water isn't coming in through the hatch boards and then running down behind that plywood piece? Maybe under certain wind conditions?
One of the first things I did to my boat was remove that wood panel. Didn't really think that it added anything aesthetically. It seemed more like an afterthought by Catalina...

 

[lpbosch]

My C30 has doors on the companionway (on hinges). There was no rain coming under the doorway at all. When I get back to the boat this weekend I will take a picture so everyone has a better understanding. It dripped for 2 hours after the rain had stopped. That has me thinking that it is probably coming from higher up and working its way to that point.

 

[ArkadiyS]

We had the same problem, where the board that the ladder clamps screw onto has water damage on the right bottom corner. My leak was due to the water seeping through the bottom piece of wood of the companionway. Ours is made up of 2 separate pieces: one is on the outside, and the second is a slightly overlapping one that can be removed only from the inside. After taking the inside piece off, i cleaned it and reset it back with butyl sealer and then applied another coat of all weather sealer from the top, once that plank was screwed back in. I have also put on a few coats of Sikken Cetol (i used it on all exterior wood). No leaks for 2 years now. Let me know if you need pictures..

 

[lpbosch]

arkadiys,
Pictures would be great! This sounds exactly like my issue. And I have a couple of rolls of butyl tape. Whe I go to the boat this weekend I will take pictures. Thank you.