1. We sail frequently mostly weekends. Every time we open the boat up for a sail, I find a leak on floor near icebox on starboard side. I cannot detect where it is coming from. It looks like it may be seepage from the icebox but there is a brown flow coming with it. It looks like the color of chocolate ice cream on on the white cabin sole. There is a small section floor boards are soaked also. Could the be rain water?? I have a dodger covering the companionway. 2. I have my boat moored where the tidal current moves two knots in and out. I have been trying to remember putting the trans in reverse to stop the propeller from freewheeling. One of my friends says it doesn't matter that much and my stuffing box won't wear out for that reason in a 5 month season. Another friend says he always stops the prop because any wear to the packing material may start it to leak. Any opinions on this??
Leak on floor near ice chest
- Thread starter hightower
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leak
The brown color sounds like it may be picking up some color from some wood. I think you may need to go down to boat during a rainstorm and see if you have water leaking in from the deck. Another possibility is condensation dripping on the floor. Do you have any of those solar-powered vents? The last possibility is a leak in your fresh water system, though I think you would notice if it were cycling. (do you have a pressure pump that would cycle?)
The brown color sounds like it may be picking up some color from some wood. I think you may need to go down to boat during a rainstorm and see if you have water leaking in from the deck. Another possibility is condensation dripping on the floor. Do you have any of those solar-powered vents? The last possibility is a leak in your fresh water system, though I think you would notice if it were cycling. (do you have a pressure pump that would cycle?)
Leaks and Iceboxes
H34s are famous for leakage in the icebox drain "system," resulting in wet floorboards, which ruins them and usually requires replacement. The PO of my 34 rigged the icebox drain to a manual plunger-type pump at the galley sink... rather than let gravity do its thing and drain the condensation water to the bilge (with the resulting stagnation, buildup, and potential odor and damage to the floorboards), we transfer the water from the icebox sump to the sink and overboard through the drain. It works fairly well, and the sole stays dry from icebox water. As part of the re-route of the icebox line, a circular Beckson access plate was installed at the base of the icebox, allowing inspection of the drain line and the fittings. I don't believe that is a factory standard installation. We do, however, get some water on the sole from rainwater leaking at forward starboard corner of the companionway sliding hatch. During a rainstorm, water accumulates in that corner (due to the H34 patented starboard list)and, at some level, cascades out as a stream. We place a wastebasket on the sole between the starboard side of the companionway ladder and the galley counter/sink when we leave the boat and always come back to find some water there (if it has rained a fair amount in the meantime). Often, when we have water in the wastebasket, we also find water splatter on the countertop, and some standing in the sink (through hull closed). The stream of water from the companionway hatch leak splashes on the countertop and into the sink when the boat is rocked by wind or waves.... I would think a dodger would keep that source of water to a minimum. My bet is on a problem in your icebox drain line. Some questions: Does water accumulate there even if there is no rainfall since last inspection? Is there ice in the icebox or water in the sump when you leave the boat? Is the countertop and sink dry when you find twater on the sole? If the answer to these questions is "yes," I think you have a leak in the icebox drain, or a blockage in the bilge weepholes. For a fix, I fully endorse the re-rigging from the box outlet to a pumb to the sink. It really works well. One more thing to check... we had a problem once with the sharp edge/corner of the Origo stove cutting the bilge pump line to the through-hull when the boat was heeled, resulting in a slow leak of bilge water below the stove onto the sole in the galley. The fix was easy, we installed gate hook to limit the gimballing of the stove, and spliced a repair to the bilge line (with the hose claps, it is also somewhat "armored" in the affected area). The leak was very slight, but the water was stained and pungent... like Brylcream, "a little dab'll do ya." As for the stuffing box question.... I would say put the tranny in reverse. At 2 knots, it doesn't seem like much, but at 20 hours a day (assuming 4 hours of slack tide), thats 100 nm of freewheeling in the Monday through Friday typical "off" period for a pleasure boat. I'd be more interested in the wear on the cutless bearing over time, especially if the water is silty. After all, you can easily monitor the stuffing box and adjust as required. The cutless is a little more complicated to check and repair without a haul-out. -Hooper
H34s are famous for leakage in the icebox drain "system," resulting in wet floorboards, which ruins them and usually requires replacement. The PO of my 34 rigged the icebox drain to a manual plunger-type pump at the galley sink... rather than let gravity do its thing and drain the condensation water to the bilge (with the resulting stagnation, buildup, and potential odor and damage to the floorboards), we transfer the water from the icebox sump to the sink and overboard through the drain. It works fairly well, and the sole stays dry from icebox water. As part of the re-route of the icebox line, a circular Beckson access plate was installed at the base of the icebox, allowing inspection of the drain line and the fittings. I don't believe that is a factory standard installation. We do, however, get some water on the sole from rainwater leaking at forward starboard corner of the companionway sliding hatch. During a rainstorm, water accumulates in that corner (due to the H34 patented starboard list)and, at some level, cascades out as a stream. We place a wastebasket on the sole between the starboard side of the companionway ladder and the galley counter/sink when we leave the boat and always come back to find some water there (if it has rained a fair amount in the meantime). Often, when we have water in the wastebasket, we also find water splatter on the countertop, and some standing in the sink (through hull closed). The stream of water from the companionway hatch leak splashes on the countertop and into the sink when the boat is rocked by wind or waves.... I would think a dodger would keep that source of water to a minimum. My bet is on a problem in your icebox drain line. Some questions: Does water accumulate there even if there is no rainfall since last inspection? Is there ice in the icebox or water in the sump when you leave the boat? Is the countertop and sink dry when you find twater on the sole? If the answer to these questions is "yes," I think you have a leak in the icebox drain, or a blockage in the bilge weepholes. For a fix, I fully endorse the re-rigging from the box outlet to a pumb to the sink. It really works well. One more thing to check... we had a problem once with the sharp edge/corner of the Origo stove cutting the bilge pump line to the through-hull when the boat was heeled, resulting in a slow leak of bilge water below the stove onto the sole in the galley. The fix was easy, we installed gate hook to limit the gimballing of the stove, and spliced a repair to the bilge line (with the hose claps, it is also somewhat "armored" in the affected area). The leak was very slight, but the water was stained and pungent... like Brylcream, "a little dab'll do ya." As for the stuffing box question.... I would say put the tranny in reverse. At 2 knots, it doesn't seem like much, but at 20 hours a day (assuming 4 hours of slack tide), thats 100 nm of freewheeling in the Monday through Friday typical "off" period for a pleasure boat. I'd be more interested in the wear on the cutless bearing over time, especially if the water is silty. After all, you can easily monitor the stuffing box and adjust as required. The cutless is a little more complicated to check and repair without a haul-out. -Hooper
Companionway leaks...
Hightower & Hooper: I keep the dodger up and attach the connection flap that links it to the bimini to it then put tarp clamps in each aft corner and lead a line from each to the cleat next to the jib winches to keep the rain off the companionway. In the winter with the canvas removed I stretch a small tarp over the companionway and hold it in place with bungees. I also cleaned out the slider tracks and their aft ends and got better water run-off and no water backing up and dripping. The dodger canvas is showing its age and does allow seepage to build up on the slider during a heavy rain. Now the only time I get water in from this area is to open the slider too fast with water laying on it. The galley sole shows a history of water damage and is in need of refinishing. I don't know if it's due to the companionway or an ice box drain leak (we use the ice box as a pantry and have a fridge instead of the over portion of the original Origo 6000). After heavy rains last weekend we finally found where some drips have been leaving stains on the counter around the stove, and on the dinette table. In a downpour the fixed portlights are letting water get under the bottom seals and drip down (I got dripped on while sleeping on the port side). The brown stain is probably from the plywood core around the ports. You may need to rebed the fixed and opening ports. The PO replaced the forward cabin one and cured a serious leak on the starboard side. The one over the galley now needs replacement as it will leak unless highly tightened. You can make the 34 a dry boat, but it takes work!
Hightower & Hooper: I keep the dodger up and attach the connection flap that links it to the bimini to it then put tarp clamps in each aft corner and lead a line from each to the cleat next to the jib winches to keep the rain off the companionway. In the winter with the canvas removed I stretch a small tarp over the companionway and hold it in place with bungees. I also cleaned out the slider tracks and their aft ends and got better water run-off and no water backing up and dripping. The dodger canvas is showing its age and does allow seepage to build up on the slider during a heavy rain. Now the only time I get water in from this area is to open the slider too fast with water laying on it. The galley sole shows a history of water damage and is in need of refinishing. I don't know if it's due to the companionway or an ice box drain leak (we use the ice box as a pantry and have a fridge instead of the over portion of the original Origo 6000). After heavy rains last weekend we finally found where some drips have been leaving stains on the counter around the stove, and on the dinette table. In a downpour the fixed portlights are letting water get under the bottom seals and drip down (I got dripped on while sleeping on the port side). The brown stain is probably from the plywood core around the ports. You may need to rebed the fixed and opening ports. The PO replaced the forward cabin one and cured a serious leak on the starboard side. The one over the galley now needs replacement as it will leak unless highly tightened. You can make the 34 a dry boat, but it takes work!
Leaks
Dan, Hooper, Debra B, Thank you for the info. I have some looking to do this weekend. I'll reply next week. One more question: Are there any real remedies to the placement of the H34 batteries? In a pinch they are hard to get at. Well, we'll see ya out there. Hightower
Dan, Hooper, Debra B, Thank you for the info. I have some looking to do this weekend. I'll reply next week. One more question: Are there any real remedies to the placement of the H34 batteries? In a pinch they are hard to get at. Well, we'll see ya out there. Hightower
leak in starboard lazerette
I've had a leak come from the starboard lazerette into the sole there, my washdown pump hose sprang a leak and when under sail the water would find it's way down onto the sole when on a port tack. Tim Welsh S/V Cabo Wabo
I've had a leak come from the starboard lazerette into the sole there, my washdown pump hose sprang a leak and when under sail the water would find it's way down onto the sole when on a port tack. Tim Welsh S/V Cabo Wabo
Batteries...
Hightower, there's been a lot of previous discussion about battery placement on the list. I raised the question myself after discovering how difficult it is to service them after I bought the boat. Check out Fred Ficara's website and the archives. I've got gear everywhere others have moved them to so I'm leaving them alone for now.
Hightower, there's been a lot of previous discussion about battery placement on the list. I raised the question myself after discovering how difficult it is to service them after I bought the boat. Check out Fred Ficara's website and the archives. I've got gear everywhere others have moved them to so I'm leaving them alone for now.
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