After about a month of owning my O'Day 20 I have developed a love/hate relationship while fixing her up. My latest foray into frustration comes from insidious leaks that I discover when I open up the cabin for another fix-er-up weekend. (it rained a lot the week before) I find small puddles and try to locate the source. Most seem to be coming from places where screws are in the cabin ceiling and one window...BUT I have since learned that water inside a boat will travel all sorts of places, often far from the source. My leaky rain water is just looking for an outlet. So, here are my questions for you more experienced sailors a.k.a. Leak Detectives: Is there a good method for tracking down the source of leaks? What should I look for on deck for leak sources? Should I put new caulk and seal on every fixture that is screwed into the deck? (I re-caulked the windows already) Any other advice?
Leak Detectives
- Thread starter Cate
- Start date
- Status
Leaks
IMHO I would start a program of rebedding everything. I once bought an older boat and that is what I did. When completed -- no leaks. Best of luck, Paul
IMHO I would start a program of rebedding everything. I once bought an older boat and that is what I did. When completed -- no leaks. Best of luck, Paul
Something I have done
is lay paper towels inside lockers so you can tell if the water is running from the top of the locker. When you get to the boat if the watter is just sitting there in a pool you have no way of telling where it is coming in. Unless you want to sitt in the boat during a storm or have someone douse the boat with a hose. Tha paper towel will at least give you an idea of the path. Using this method I determined that my anchor locker vent was the culprit for water in a my forepeak lockers. I laid paper towels on the hull interior above the usual level of the standing water. Next time it rained... lo and behold the towels were wet and there was standing fresh water in the locker. One item to note... make sure you taste the water to see if it fresh or salt. If it is salt... you have a whole different set of problems.
is lay paper towels inside lockers so you can tell if the water is running from the top of the locker. When you get to the boat if the watter is just sitting there in a pool you have no way of telling where it is coming in. Unless you want to sitt in the boat during a storm or have someone douse the boat with a hose. Tha paper towel will at least give you an idea of the path. Using this method I determined that my anchor locker vent was the culprit for water in a my forepeak lockers. I laid paper towels on the hull interior above the usual level of the standing water. Next time it rained... lo and behold the towels were wet and there was standing fresh water in the locker. One item to note... make sure you taste the water to see if it fresh or salt. If it is salt... you have a whole different set of problems.
Vacuum cleaner .... in reverse.
The best way Ive found to discover leaks is to use a shop-vac (in reverse): Seal the boat companion way, lockers, hatches, etc. with tape then stick the hose into a dorade vent, etc. and 'pressurize' the boat. Then take a mix of diswashing detergent 10%-15% and water 85%-90% and then 'paint' all the usual 'suspects'. Any pressure leaking from the inside will cause the soap mixture to form bubbles precisely AT the area of leaks. hope this helps.
The best way Ive found to discover leaks is to use a shop-vac (in reverse): Seal the boat companion way, lockers, hatches, etc. with tape then stick the hose into a dorade vent, etc. and 'pressurize' the boat. Then take a mix of diswashing detergent 10%-15% and water 85%-90% and then 'paint' all the usual 'suspects'. Any pressure leaking from the inside will cause the soap mixture to form bubbles precisely AT the area of leaks. hope this helps.
Through-bolt leaks
Bolts and screws through the deck are usually, but not always the problem. Here in Nj, I'm sure you already know it's not too hard to find a day that it starts to rain before you're done with your project for the day. Being caught inside the boat when it starts raining a couple of times enabled me to find the leaks in my V21 this year. If all else fails, have someone arc a garden hose spray on the boat as if it was raining while you're inside. If your boat is sealed tightly when not in use, condensation can be a huge factor. I eventually solved that problem(I think !) with a Nicro solar powered hatch vent(from Sailnet) and passive companionway hatch vents.
Bolts and screws through the deck are usually, but not always the problem. Here in Nj, I'm sure you already know it's not too hard to find a day that it starts to rain before you're done with your project for the day. Being caught inside the boat when it starts raining a couple of times enabled me to find the leaks in my V21 this year. If all else fails, have someone arc a garden hose spray on the boat as if it was raining while you're inside. If your boat is sealed tightly when not in use, condensation can be a huge factor. I eventually solved that problem(I think !) with a Nicro solar powered hatch vent(from Sailnet) and passive companionway hatch vents.
Assume Everything Leaks
Cate, If you have a love-hate relationship with your Oday as I have with my '78 Catalina 30 and depending how old your boat is- assume everything leaks and start from there! Caulking breaks down over time due to sun, moisture and constant flexing of the deck. Get yourself a roll of Butyl tape (from an RV supply house) and start from the bow and work you way to the stern. Butyl tape stays pliable and soft and will adjust to any flexing. Good Luck! Rob
Cate, If you have a love-hate relationship with your Oday as I have with my '78 Catalina 30 and depending how old your boat is- assume everything leaks and start from there! Caulking breaks down over time due to sun, moisture and constant flexing of the deck. Get yourself a roll of Butyl tape (from an RV supply house) and start from the bow and work you way to the stern. Butyl tape stays pliable and soft and will adjust to any flexing. Good Luck! Rob
I'm with Rob
Assume everywhere leaks. To fix most of them, clean out and recault the rubrail where the top deck meets the hull. That will solves 90% of your problem.
Assume everywhere leaks. To fix most of them, clean out and recault the rubrail where the top deck meets the hull. That will solves 90% of your problem.
- Status