When I bought my H26 the Forward cabin light did not work. An inspection revealed fatal water damage to the fixture and the glass is in poor shape underneath. There is definately water entering at some point during strong rain and this is the exit point from the cabin liner. As all deck fittings seem tight and well sealed, including the mast foot....WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? ...will major damage be caused if not addressed? I can live without the light but have been unable to find the source!! I know a boat wouldn't be a boat without at least one little leak ..but this one has me stumped! Would appreciate any ideas from fellow owners.
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Looks can be deceiving
It may not be a bad idea to go ahead and reseal all the fittings on the deck, or maybe a few at a time untill the leak is fixed. I am sure up there this is no time to do it. It is relly not that difficult a job a cordless drill/screwdriver really makes it easy.
It may not be a bad idea to go ahead and reseal all the fittings on the deck, or maybe a few at a time untill the leak is fixed. I am sure up there this is no time to do it. It is relly not that difficult a job a cordless drill/screwdriver really makes it easy.
Need to be a Dective
Leaks can be real buggers to find and we can sense your frustration comming through. A couple years ago I had a leak on the starboard side of the forward cabin and the bottom of the hanging locker would always get wet after a good rain. It appeared the water was getting in from around the water tank deck fill fitting and that was resealed. Still the water kept comming. Sealed the screws for the stantions and ditto. Frustration really starting to set in now! The pulpit had a pair of conductors that popped out of a hole in the deck in the chain locker and went inside the tubing. Looking up in the chain locker at the underside of the deck I could see the wires came from the forward cabin overhead. Hummmmm. Even though the wires that went through the deck had a drip loop it could be possible for water to go to the underside of the deck via surface tension, that is, never make it to the drip loop. From there water could travel down the overhead (downhill) into the forward cabin. The overhead would get damp but the fabric cover would mask where the water was coming from. I put some sealant around the wires through the deck and, voila!, the leak has stopped. If you have a chain locker it is very likely just a drop-in pan. Unless the top of the pan, where it is close to the underside of the deck, is sealed (which it probably isn't), water can travel anywhere down the overhead (underside of the deck) and into the forward cabin. Wash the mud and rode with high pressure water and guess where all the splattered water runs? Yup, V-berth. Be persistent and eventually you'll find the culprit.
Leaks can be real buggers to find and we can sense your frustration comming through. A couple years ago I had a leak on the starboard side of the forward cabin and the bottom of the hanging locker would always get wet after a good rain. It appeared the water was getting in from around the water tank deck fill fitting and that was resealed. Still the water kept comming. Sealed the screws for the stantions and ditto. Frustration really starting to set in now! The pulpit had a pair of conductors that popped out of a hole in the deck in the chain locker and went inside the tubing. Looking up in the chain locker at the underside of the deck I could see the wires came from the forward cabin overhead. Hummmmm. Even though the wires that went through the deck had a drip loop it could be possible for water to go to the underside of the deck via surface tension, that is, never make it to the drip loop. From there water could travel down the overhead (downhill) into the forward cabin. The overhead would get damp but the fabric cover would mask where the water was coming from. I put some sealant around the wires through the deck and, voila!, the leak has stopped. If you have a chain locker it is very likely just a drop-in pan. Unless the top of the pan, where it is close to the underside of the deck, is sealed (which it probably isn't), water can travel anywhere down the overhead (underside of the deck) and into the forward cabin. Wash the mud and rode with high pressure water and guess where all the splattered water runs? Yup, V-berth. Be persistent and eventually you'll find the culprit.
As Sam Said...
...looks are definitely deceiving. Even the mast step may look good, but what about the mounting of the mast step to the deck? It's inside the mast and not visible (unless you've got the mast down.) Rain can get inside the mast and find a whole new set of holes and leaks you never knew existed. This was the source of my H31 V-berth Light explosion/mishap/drowning.
...looks are definitely deceiving. Even the mast step may look good, but what about the mounting of the mast step to the deck? It's inside the mast and not visible (unless you've got the mast down.) Rain can get inside the mast and find a whole new set of holes and leaks you never knew existed. This was the source of my H31 V-berth Light explosion/mishap/drowning.
Same here
Had the same problem with my H26. The dealer re-sealed the mast base on the deck. That took care of most of it, but not all. Most of the rest I believe was from the mast light and wind indicator wiring deck plugs – easy to re-seal. I often wondered about the area just below the mast where the centerboard line runs into the compression post. Where the post and deck meet. Not an easy spot to seal. Also, where the centerboard line runs over the wheel just before heading down the compression post. The wheel is attached by a pin that runs into the deck. Again, difficult to get at or do anything with. Most defiantly, re-seal the mast base.
Had the same problem with my H26. The dealer re-sealed the mast base on the deck. That took care of most of it, but not all. Most of the rest I believe was from the mast light and wind indicator wiring deck plugs – easy to re-seal. I often wondered about the area just below the mast where the centerboard line runs into the compression post. Where the post and deck meet. Not an easy spot to seal. Also, where the centerboard line runs over the wheel just before heading down the compression post. The wheel is attached by a pin that runs into the deck. Again, difficult to get at or do anything with. Most defiantly, re-seal the mast base.
Forward Hatch
The forward hatch on our 35 needed to be replaced because of cracks in the plexiglass. When the old hatch was removed it was discovered that a screw in one of the corners was right near the edge of the sealant. It is very likely that water from the coach roof flowing forward toward the bow, getting traped by the hatch and then flowing sideways toward the deck could be getting into the screw hole. And from there it's anybodys guess where it went. Recommend examining the hatch around the edge of the frame to ensure the sealant looks adequate and bonded to both the aluminum and fiberglass surfaces. If it is decided to rebed the frame recommend using OEM sealant which is made by Dow (also used by Bayliner). It's available from Hunter. I like it because it sticks well, is flexible, and doesn't act as a strong adhesive.
The forward hatch on our 35 needed to be replaced because of cracks in the plexiglass. When the old hatch was removed it was discovered that a screw in one of the corners was right near the edge of the sealant. It is very likely that water from the coach roof flowing forward toward the bow, getting traped by the hatch and then flowing sideways toward the deck could be getting into the screw hole. And from there it's anybodys guess where it went. Recommend examining the hatch around the edge of the frame to ensure the sealant looks adequate and bonded to both the aluminum and fiberglass surfaces. If it is decided to rebed the frame recommend using OEM sealant which is made by Dow (also used by Bayliner). It's available from Hunter. I like it because it sticks well, is flexible, and doesn't act as a strong adhesive.
Leak through v-berth light
We had a problem also. In addition to John Nantz suggestion, may I suggest the gasket as well. Ours seemed OK, but a wind drove the water through the hatch at a point where the gasket was not seated tight.
We had a problem also. In addition to John Nantz suggestion, may I suggest the gasket as well. Ours seemed OK, but a wind drove the water through the hatch at a point where the gasket was not seated tight.
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