Leaking aft berth

[Michael Clark]

Has anyone who owns a 1983 Hunter 31 experienced leaks (fresh water or rain water) in the qtr. berth and starboard cockpit locker? I've had this problem since late last fall and cannot find where the water is finding it's way in. I've sprayed down the entire cockpit with water hoping I would see where the water is finding it's way in the boat but to no avail.The water (which is definetely fresh/rain water) runs into the qtr. berth from the bulkhead seperating the qtr. berth from the rest of the underneath cockpit area. Sometimes there is more water ponding in the qtr. berth and starboard cockpit than other times. Sometimes I find water only in the qtr. berth and not the rest of the cockpit locker. Sometimes there is more water in both than other times. Usually I can mop up the water with a towel or two. However, the bulkhead stays wet all the time and I'm worried about the degregation of the wood seperating the two areas. Not to mention I can't keep any cusions in the qtr. berth while it's continuing to leak. Any help or suggestions on this matter is greatly appreciated. I can be contacted directly at michaelc89@earthlink.net or on the HOW web site

 

[Steve Dion]

Opening port and cockpit drain.

Michael:One place I find water leaking is the opening port. If I house it down it leaks. The line locker under the port seat has a drain that also leaks. Put some water in the line locker and see where the water goes. If you put a piece of tape over the hole on the outside it may happen quicker.The other area that I would check is the cockpit drains. Just pull both of them and seal the core with some epoxy and then re-caulk them.

 

[Don]

Mine did it

Drove me nuts on my former '84 H31. The source was dried out sealant under the fuel fill and waste pumpout caps. I finally crawled into the aft lazerettes while my dad sprayed down the decks. Found it right off.Sounds crazy, but I raised em up, resealed em and that solved the problem.Good luck.

 

[John Dodge]

maybe in the same boat

Michael,I think I maybe in the same boat. I have a 1984 Hunter 31 and have just recently found water in the aft berth under the cushions.Now I suspect the water is coming from the seals of the pedestal Steering. dripping down onto the cable housing cover running over to the bulkhead and down onto the cushions.My next job is to remove the steering cable cover and lay newspaper inside it so it will leave a sign as to where the water is coming from. I would certainly like to hear from you if you find anything different.Cheers,John Dodge Artfuldodgers@comcast.net

 

[Steve Dion]

JD, check yours out.

John:I would like you to check yours out. Remove the cushions and be sure that the entire area is completely dry.Put your water hose in your tank fill and just let it run. Then get down below with the lights on and check the entire seal on the water tank. I usually let the tank overflow out of the vent to flush out any critters (1-2 min.) that may think that the vent is a good place for a home.I just did this (twice) last summer. I had a leak from the water tank. I ended up competely removing the lid on the tank and resealing. This is no simple job. Getting the lid off the tank is the worst part of the job. Check out the Photo Forum for the job Rip E. did on his H'31 water tank.If you find that your leak IS coming from this area I can give you some more help on removing the lid.