Legend 40.5 leak in aft cabin

[fero]

Hi again,
I have recently found a traces of water leaks on the aft cabin aft bulkhead and some water under the mattress. The boat was stored in the boatyard in Caribbean for 6 months (as every year) evidently without bimini/dodger. Never seen while staying on the boat (the other 6 months), bimini giving good protection even in heavy rain.
I wonder if someone had same experience and found the source, not clear to me at all where the water seeps from.
Many thanks.

 

[Rich Stidger]

When our 40.5 was new, we had toe-rail to deck leaks that my dealer said were a common issue on the 40.5. The dealer resealed the toe-rail and have had no leaks the last 24 years.
I would investigate with a hose on the outside and someone on the inside to watch. Unless it is a really small leak, you should see something after a while.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

When we had a 40.5, if the cockpit was uncovered, it would leak through the pedestal. The pedestal cup holder isnt sealed and an entry point with no Bimini to protect it.

 

[fero]

Thanks Rich and Don, I think it is somewhere around pedestal as Don says, the traces were pretty much around center. I’ll investgate and let you know.

 

[Rick D]

This does not sound like your issue, but for what it's worth in the future... we had a leak I chased for two years. It turned out to be the cockpit shower connections which leaked on to the water tank which in turn leaked down to the bulkhead and on to the aft bunk.

 

[fero]

Well I checked couple of things, the panel bellow the pedestal, above the bunk seen definitly some water over the years. Looking into the opening I couldn’t pinpoint the origin. I wonder Don, if you were able to correct the problem?
Rick, I did have similar problem couple of years ago, but the water did not go to aft cabin, it was a minute leak through a hairline crack in the plastic fitting which I finally found as the water pump came on maybe once in half an hour with new pump diaphragm and everything else tight. No pump starting anymore without tap opening so that possibility is out.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Well I checked couple of things, the panel bellow the pedestal, above the bunk seen definitly some water over the years. Looking into the opening I couldn’t pinpoint the origin. I wonder Don, if you were able to correct the problem?

never did come up with a solution. Had a large waterproof pedestal cover made to prevent water entry when the Bimini was down.

 

[baycloud]

never did come up with a solution. Had a large waterproof pedestal cover made to prevent water entry when the Bimini was down.

So is the water leaking in from the cup holder area leaking into the binnacle? There is a drain below the cup holder on mine; draining to nothing (ie draining inside the binmacle which doesn't do any good)

 

[obxjeff]

new owner of 91 43, the boat sat for a year, storage box on binnacle was full of water, pulled the plug on the bottom and wife started yelling from the rear stateroom; water was pouring from the "bump out" under the binnacle flowing down the aft wall (and some on her), after I stopped laughing I removed the aft wall and found rot/mold on wood supporting the fuel tank. obviously been a problem for a while, I'm gonna remove the binnacle to fix whatever it is, not sure yet. looks like I'm gonna have to remove the steering post to get to it and hope I can fix the area around the fuel tank without moving it....

definitely under the binnacle,

and it begins.... why does the water around our boats bring joy but water in our boats brings nightmares....

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

So is the water leaking in from the cup holder area leaking into the binnacle?

yes

There is a drain below the cup holder on mine; draining to nothing (ie draining inside the binmacle which doesn't do any good)

Sounds like Hunter realized this is a source of water leaking and started to address it but only went half way.

 

[SV Maverick]

Hi fero,

Here is a picture inside my 40.5 pedestal before I installed the autopilot. The wires go through the deck at this point and are sealed with silicone. Behind this area are the steering sheaves that can be accessed by removing the rear deck that covers the steering quadrant and rudder feedback. Once I resealed this area I did not have any more leaks.