I am a first time boat owner. Bought a slightly used (2002, 25 hours on the engine)306. Love at first sight! After a few weeks of use, I have found some fresh water in the aft cabin. Seems to be starboard side, stern wall and under the wallcovering on the starboard side. Anyone have an idea where it might be coming in? Could it be from underneath the rub rail? How about the traveler arch mounting plate?
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Barry Newland
Welcome
to the life of a boat owner. After one new and one used boat, I am convinced they all leak somewhere/sometime. And because our homes and cars don't leak, it only drives us more insane. The truth is that boats have a lot of holes in their decks from the factory (handrails, stantions, winches, etc.) and even more holes after an owner has her for a while. Each hole has an opportunity to leak if the caulking isn't just right. My suggestion is starting above the wet spot and to all sides (leaks can travel beween deck and liner) check the mounting of all deck hardware especially handrails and stantions since these get pushed/pulled on most. Re-bed with 3M 4200 (not 5200). This should stop your leak and prevent rotting of the wood in cored decks.
to the life of a boat owner. After one new and one used boat, I am convinced they all leak somewhere/sometime. And because our homes and cars don't leak, it only drives us more insane. The truth is that boats have a lot of holes in their decks from the factory (handrails, stantions, winches, etc.) and even more holes after an owner has her for a while. Each hole has an opportunity to leak if the caulking isn't just right. My suggestion is starting above the wet spot and to all sides (leaks can travel beween deck and liner) check the mounting of all deck hardware especially handrails and stantions since these get pushed/pulled on most. Re-bed with 3M 4200 (not 5200). This should stop your leak and prevent rotting of the wood in cored decks.
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nick maggio
Start checking
My 2001-290 same as 306 had a bad rub rail leak also but the dealer fixed the first one which was starboard side in the main salon,but another leak at the transom deck hull joint,they the factory missed a spot with the sealer. It was hard to find at first the water went all over the rear of the boat while sailing,the boat still under warranty so hunter paid to have it fixed. The hard part is finding the spot where its leaking ,have some one below while you run a garden hose up top ,do one area at a time until you see where its leaking. Try to get the dealer to fix it,if its the rub rail its no easy fix it has to come off. Nick
My 2001-290 same as 306 had a bad rub rail leak also but the dealer fixed the first one which was starboard side in the main salon,but another leak at the transom deck hull joint,they the factory missed a spot with the sealer. It was hard to find at first the water went all over the rear of the boat while sailing,the boat still under warranty so hunter paid to have it fixed. The hard part is finding the spot where its leaking ,have some one below while you run a garden hose up top ,do one area at a time until you see where its leaking. Try to get the dealer to fix it,if its the rub rail its no easy fix it has to come off. Nick
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Ed Bergman
Same Problem
Sounds just like me and my 326 (2002 also). Bought it the same way and had the same problem. Most of my leaks were coming in from the coaming wells (bad calking on the drain tubes). The dealer also found some water leaking in along the screws for the rub rail. The rail had to come off to seal it properly. I'm thinking of running a small bead along the rub rail top and bottom to keep the water out in the first place. Also had a little water following the bow light wire in. Looks like it was splashing up under the bow rail. A spot of silicone where the wire enters the pulpit cured that one. Hunter took care of everything so make sure you talk to your dealer. Good Luck.
Sounds just like me and my 326 (2002 also). Bought it the same way and had the same problem. Most of my leaks were coming in from the coaming wells (bad calking on the drain tubes). The dealer also found some water leaking in along the screws for the rub rail. The rail had to come off to seal it properly. I'm thinking of running a small bead along the rub rail top and bottom to keep the water out in the first place. Also had a little water following the bow light wire in. Looks like it was splashing up under the bow rail. A spot of silicone where the wire enters the pulpit cured that one. Hunter took care of everything so make sure you talk to your dealer. Good Luck.
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Jude Dippold
Rub Rail Leaks
I've had similar problems with my 2002 306. I've found leaks in several different areas and with persistent testing with hose while scrubbing the boat managed to track them all down to rub rail/hull-deck joint problems. Since I bought my boat new, the dealer says he will fix during the off season and that a complete fix will involve pulling the rub rail off and resealing the hull deck joint in areas where it is leaking.
I've had similar problems with my 2002 306. I've found leaks in several different areas and with persistent testing with hose while scrubbing the boat managed to track them all down to rub rail/hull-deck joint problems. Since I bought my boat new, the dealer says he will fix during the off season and that a complete fix will involve pulling the rub rail off and resealing the hull deck joint in areas where it is leaking.
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Bill O'Donovan
Barry's right
Boats leak, moreso the more they're used. This doesn't make you a bad person, or the boat a bad boat. It does compel putting small folded towels down at strategic points to (1) identify the first point of impact, (2) delay the run into the bilge. Chances are excellent your boat is not sinking from an external leak, so don't worry. Be happy.
Boats leak, moreso the more they're used. This doesn't make you a bad person, or the boat a bad boat. It does compel putting small folded towels down at strategic points to (1) identify the first point of impact, (2) delay the run into the bilge. Chances are excellent your boat is not sinking from an external leak, so don't worry. Be happy.
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Mike
More about leaks
David, If you bought Geo. Didonato's 306, which it sounds like you did, I can tell you he took great care of that boat so the leaks are just a feature of putting a large plastic tub in the water. Here's a trick I used to track down the rub rail leak points, where they are visible inside. Open the ceiling panel in the aft berth and the back panel as well and study the inside of the rubrail seam. Look for any place that is discolored. That's probably the point. You can caulk those seams from the inside without a removing the rubrail. Also, check the column the rudder post travels through in the rear section of the boat. I found that the way the fiberglass was attached left room for little rivulets to form. Caulk that from the inside too. Another place to check for water is in the starboard side bin under the v berth. Water from the mast might accumulate there and never make it to the bilge. Enjoy the 306. It is one terrific boat.
David, If you bought Geo. Didonato's 306, which it sounds like you did, I can tell you he took great care of that boat so the leaks are just a feature of putting a large plastic tub in the water. Here's a trick I used to track down the rub rail leak points, where they are visible inside. Open the ceiling panel in the aft berth and the back panel as well and study the inside of the rubrail seam. Look for any place that is discolored. That's probably the point. You can caulk those seams from the inside without a removing the rubrail. Also, check the column the rudder post travels through in the rear section of the boat. I found that the way the fiberglass was attached left room for little rivulets to form. Caulk that from the inside too. Another place to check for water is in the starboard side bin under the v berth. Water from the mast might accumulate there and never make it to the bilge. Enjoy the 306. It is one terrific boat.
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