Leaking behind Rub Rail?

[Bruce Brushwood]

I've just bought a 1994 Hunter 29.5 and have discovered a leak. Is it possible that water could be coming in behind the rub rail where the topside and hull are joined? If this is possible, should I remove the rub rail, how tough is that, or should I attempt to seal the rub rail where it joins the hull on the top side of the rail as well as below? The water is showing up on the back side of the galley that borders the aft berth, the panel there has become soft and I can see that this is a problem that has been going on for quite some time.All comments and suggestions will be much appreciated!

 

[Andy]

Port check

Before you remove the rubrail, check your opening ports closely. Even the small ports can leak on to the china rack, and then that water runs outboard under the seam. As you may have noticed, those ports lean inward and don't completely drain; so if you opent them after a rain the water drain in to the boat. Also, dog them down tight. Have a friend put the hose all over those ports and fittings with the cabinets open and see if you can find out where the water is coming in.