Leak coming from stern on my Hunter 31.

Mar 25, 2014
35
Hunter 31 St Pete
I'm experiencing saltwater leak from the stern of my 84' Hunter 31. It appears to be coming from where the scupper exit stern at the water line between the liner and the hull. I thank there could be a separation from the Scupper tube and where it buts up to the hull to exit the boat. I'm hauling the boat soon and and looking for the best fix.
 
Sep 11, 2015
147
Hunter 31 Marina del Rey
Typically, it is where the drain hoses and the engine exhaust hose attach to the hull exits. The port one is easy to check, the starboard one is a little harder as you need to get behind the fuel tank. If it is the engine exhaust the water will be dirty with soot. You do not need to haul out. Just get a flashlight, go in the lazarette and crawl behind the fuel tank to inspect the hoses. Usually it is obvious and a quick fix unless your hoses are short, then you need a new hose.
 
Mar 25, 2014
35
Hunter 31 St Pete
Thanks Pizzazz, It is the port drain where it attaches to the hull. Water runs between the interior liner and hull. How would you fix this issue?
 
Nov 30, 2015
1,343
Hunter 1978 H30 Cherubini, Treman Marina, Ithaca, NY
I had a similar water collection while motoring, only determined the leak significance when I also saw the bilge outlet spewing water beneath the toe rail. Ultimately I found that one of the scupper drain hoses from the cockpit had come undone. I could only access this hose from the starboard side lazerette. The hose dropped to the level of the stern drain port and when we motored through a wave or wake the external port would dip below the typical waterline, burping a half gallon of water under the motor and right into the bilge. Easy fix...no more leak!
 

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Mar 20, 2011
623
Hunter 31_83-87 New Orleans
Hi Tom. I too have a H31 same year as yours and have suspected for some time water trapped between hull and liner because my stern is always sitting low in the water where the water line meets the stern. To me it is just kissing the water when in the slip. As far as water trapped, how are you seeing this manifest inside your boat if it’s between hull and liner. Like others, I am able to easily access the port side cockpit scupper and don't see where any leakage would allow water to seep between hull and liner but as I said, this has been a puzzle to me since I've had the boat. See pics of my stern in the water and also the scupper and engine overboard are located. My main bilge is dry and the sump area below entry steps occasionally has a small amount of water in it but nothing of concern.
 

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Sep 11, 2015
147
Hunter 31 Marina del Rey
Tom, as others have mentioned the drain attaches to the hull above the liner. Either it is from the starboard side and the water just sleeps below the bulkhead (that was my problem) or the water leak is from elsewhere. If you are certain that the leak is around the bottom part of the of the drain below the liner (highly unlikely) I would just cut out the liner and inspect. Another way to test would be to plug the port drain from below fill the cockpit drain hose and then use a flashlight from the line opening to see if water is seeping in. If you decide to cut the liner, I would cut out a nice 4” hole that you can later cover.
 
Mar 6, 2020
6
Hunter 306 Shoreline Marina
I'm experiencing saltwater leak from the stern of my 84' Hunter 31. It appears to be coming from where the scupper exit stern at the water line between the liner and the hull. I thank there could be a separation from the Scupper tube and where it buts up to the hull to exit the boat. I'm hauling the boat soon and and looking for the best fix.
Tom I came across your post and was wondering if you were able to locate the leak?

I have a 2003 Hunter 306 and get a good amount of water in the stern cabin after heeling. Like you my liner is also damp and even starting to come unglued near the bottom. I assumed the water was coming from somewhere behind the water tank and the liner was just absorbing the puddles that were forming as it made its way to the head. Did you determine if there was a leak above the liner?
 
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Oct 14, 2017
101
HUnter 306 Aruba
Tom I came across your post and was wondering if you were able to locate the leak?

I have a 2003 Hunter 306 and get a good amount of water in the stern cabin after heeling. Like you my liner is also damp and even starting to come unglued near the bottom. I assumed the water was coming from somewhere behind the water tank and the liner was just absorbing the puddles that were forming as it made its way to the head. Did you determine if there was a leak above the liner?
captain Cook did you ever resolve this? Im having the same issue with my 2003 Hunter 306.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,446
-na -NA Anywhere USA
@CaptainKook

you probably have a hull to deck joint issue like @Brinky63 did with his boat. He has a separate thread on how to repair the stern.

@BlowMeAway.
Your picture of the drain shows what to be a plastic elbow? The elbow should be longer where you can double clamp with two hose clamps in opposite direction
 
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Likes: JamesG161
Nov 30, 2015
1,343
Hunter 1978 H30 Cherubini, Treman Marina, Ithaca, NY
@CaptainKook

you probably have a hull to deck joint issue like @Brinky63 did with his boat. He has a separate thread on how to repair the stern.

@BlowMeAway.
Your picture of the drain shows what to be a plastic elbow? The elbow should be longer where you can double clamp with two hose clamps in opposite direction
Hi Dave, yeah whomever made a repair on that plastic elbow cut away all but 1 hose barb. I replaced the scupper, elbow, and double clamped years ago. Nonetheless, good catch on your part.