Leaks, Leaks, Leaks / How to Find and Fix

[rortega46]

The port side wall in the rear cabin of my 1991 H28 has developed leaks. It seems to be behind the wall fabric and has rotted the fabric covered balsa used at the bottom of the wall. It's possibly due to the fixed window, wall & deck joint, gaps around wires near the stern, etc., etc. The wall is hidden by the fabric. Has anyone had similar problems? Does anyone have suggestions about how to isolate and fix the leaks? Do you know what Hunter uses for the wall fabric and where to get it? Is isolating and stopping leaks a persistent problem for other Hunter owners?

 

[CPseudonym]

No experience in your particular situation but can tell you as a professional plumber the best way to trace any leak back to its source is baby powder. Start tracing the leak from the puddle backwards toward the source. Sprinkle the baby powder lightly above the puddle and chase the water to its source. Dry baby powder stays dry, wet powder darkens and soaks any moisture.

Gravity. It's not just a good idea, it's the law.:dance:

 

[Deadline]

Here's a list of leaks I fixed on a H29.5.
The rubrail was the biggest culprit.


Remove water heater and test for leaks
Clean up water heater deck, Bondo, spray paint
Order new water heater and replace.
Probe water tank for leaks at water heater
Remove rubrail calk with grout remover, sharp knife x 2
Remove interior boards to water tank and tighten fittings
Reglue and paint V-berth headboard
Remove bimini hooks at aft, replace screws
Remove port stanchions and Bondo holes, then Lifeseal
Remove starboard stanchions and Lifeseal them
Screw down stanchions lightly to set, come back several hours
When rescrewing stanchions, use 3M remover to clean up now
Remove anchor locker hatch to take home.
White putting 3 holes of anchor locker opening
Bondo anchor latch hole for tighter seal
Clear calk 15 holes of anchor locker hinge, screws
Clear calk freshwater seal and anchor hatch metal
Unscrew 2 U-bolts anchor locker & bow, clear calk and tighten
Put cork in air vent to partially block bacspray of water
Clear calk around mid-ship hatch, screw too
Examine 2 hatches to re-calk and re-rim calk into screws
Recalk rubrail wtih clear LifeSeal use red guide • clean as you go paper towels • leave fine smear
Clean up white Lifeseal overspill at starboard windows
Recalk windshield & port window clean MEK • tape off • LifeSeal clear • red guide stick
Recalk all 3 plastic water exits when re-attaching
Grout out and recalk bowsprit plate

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

It is sometimes hard to isolate the leaks particualry if coming from topsides. what most yards will not tell people is an old trick used successfully over the years.

Pressurize the cabin forcing air out. Use a brush with real soapy water and brush every fitting, rub rail, etc. and if you see air bubbling, that is a source of leakage.

Simple to do. Close all hatches and tape them to include opening ports. On the companion way, tape plastic around it, put small slit to insert a leaf blower, tape leaf blower to the plastic, turn on and let someone brush.

Keep me posted via davecondon@mindspring.com

crazy dave