Leakage

[nfitz]

The past two winters of storing my 1992 Mac 26 have been marred by a lot of water that somehow leaked into the boat. I don't think it's from melting snow (I live in Alberta) and I think I've sealed the boat pretty well each time. Yet, both springs I've found water under the V berth and under the seats inside...2 - 3 inches of water.

Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas how the water is getting in?

 

[flathead sailor]

I had this happen on my Mac 25 and it was the hose on the cockpit drain. It had come loose and the cockpit snow and rain was draining into the bilge.

Mike

 

[MrBill_FLL]

most leaks are from the chain plates (IMO). where the shouds (wires to mast) connect to the hull. sealing that area is nomal annual task.

-rubrails, and some other area are common, but when sailing..

 

[Justin_NSA]

I had this happen on my Mac 25 and it was the hose on the cockpit drain. It had come loose and the cockpit snow and rain was draining into the bilge.

Mike

We had a 25 nearly sink because of this. When he got back to his slip it took 2 sump pumps and a bucket brigade to save it! Evidently he was overloaded and the hull drain was below the waterline!

 

[sailorjames]

finding leaks

The past two winters of storing my 1992 Mac 26 have been marred by a lot of water that somehow leaked into the boat. I don't think it's from melting snow (I live in Alberta) and I think I've sealed the boat pretty well each time. Yet, both springs I've found water under the V berth and under the seats inside...2 - 3 inches of water.

Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas how the water is getting in?

to find leaks, create positive pressure inside the boat. To do this make a temporary hatch board out of multiple thicknesses of cardboard, seal well with tape. Pipe a shop vac hose through the cardboard and put the shop vac on blow. Use soapy water from a spray bottle to look for bubbles being created by the escaping air.

 

[JohnH_V25]

most leaks are from the chain plates (IMO). where the shouds (wires to mast) connect to the hull. sealing that area is nomal annual task.

-rubrails, and some other area are common, but when sailing..

Ditto - I found that sealing the chain plates was the single most effective thing in keeping my V25 dry. It has to be redone periodically because the chain plates move a little under stress while sailing and break their seal. They will let in more water over time because it is not just from rain or snow. Dew that forms on the rigging can run down into the boat.