Little leak in stearn

[Esk II]

Hi,

I have a little water leaking into the rear port bunk area, it accumulates in the far port corner of the bunk area. I am not able to trace the origin. The bulkhead carpet is damp in that area but there are not any signs of water entering the area.
It is not a severe leak just enough to cause dampness and a small puddle after a good rain. It may be comming from the deck area where the helm in fixed to the deck.Does anybody have a good place to begin the search? Do or should I lift the helm and deck and reseal? That seems as if it could become a big job.

Thank you,

Earl Keim

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Do you have the holding tank option? You might check the bedding on the pump out hose plate. The helm deck section, as you state, is a good suspect for leaks in that area.

 

[Esk II]

No holding tnk option. Is it a difficult task to raise the decking and helm?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The leak in the rear berth does not come from the wheel attached to the cockpit floorr pan. The floor pan is screwed down to the deck. It is easy to remove the screws on that cockpit floor and recaulk. I would also suggest that once you have done that, put a bead of silicon in the seam as an added prevevntative. It is probably that what is causing the leak.

If not, then it will be a fitting on the cockpit port coaming that the seal is broken. If you still cannot find it, then I would close the boat up to include opening ports. Then tape the forward hatch and the one for the rear berth under the cockpit stbd. seat. Then tape a large piece of plastic over the entire companionway and make a small slit to insert a leaf blower . Have a second person with a bucket of alot of soapy water with brush to standby while you turn th leaf blower on and have that person start brushing every fitting to include upper rub rail and when you see air bubbling, that is a source for a leak. What you have done is pressurized the cabin and air has to escape and thus the air bubbling. Good luck

crazy dave condon

 

[twodzusfittings]

I had this issue last year. After a full season of the boat being in the water, upon removing the cushions for the winter, the area in the center of the rear was all damp and small puddles of water. It was condensation. I removed the cushions, wiped it dry, cleaned with a little resolve and water the mildewed carpet and over the winter I had about six small moisture eaters around the boat, it dried up, the carpet is good. I have not put the cushions back as for the time being no one sleeps there.

 

[drumbeater]

Did you try some Imodium?

 

[Esk II]

Thank you all very much. I am going to re seal the deck screws and possibly a bead around seam if needed. It seems as if the leak occurs when I have been hosing directly onto the deck and seam area. The leak does not always happen, only with hard rain or hose pressure. It may also be condensation.