looking at a 30...leak question

Team118 · Oct 4, 2010

I have a 1977 Catalina 30 and when I bought her she had been on the hard for 2 years and numersous leaks topsides.

I have slowly stemmed the tide of war against the rain...

Most of the leaks came from the windows. The water would penetrate the core and come out several feet downstream from the windows. Removing them and reseating them stopped most of the water intrusion.

The other leaks are coming from the toerail. That's a 2 man job. Once that is tackled the only other obvious points would be the stanchion rails and then the chain plates. Those are all pretty easy fixes.

I removed all the cleats and created stainless steel backing plates for them and reseated those too.

...lol, then as I sit here typing I think about the fuel, water and waste caps. Then there's the foot of the mast, the pedestal (which you mentioned).

As I said... it's a war. And the water ALWAYS wins. At least on my boat.

Good Luck!
Chris

In my area, Catalina 30's in good shape in the water last a few weeks before being snapped up. I stole mine for $9,500 and put about $3,000 into it. I was told I could get $15,000 all day long. I love her too much though...

adirondackbob · Oct 5, 2010

Chris, I'd like to hear more about your war against leaks on your C30. This is my first season with our (new-to-us) C30 (it's a 1989), and after several months of sailing her I have found at least four leaks. One is at the forward opening port on the starboard side. That port needs to be re-bed; it leaks whenever it rains. The other leaks are trickier. There is a drip coming from the forward end of the teak molding that runs along the cabin roof on the starboard side; I suspect the grab rail may be leaking there. Another leak seems to be coming from one of the grab rail screws just above the galley (port side aft). Finally, after last week's hard rain I noticed a small puddle on the counter in the head. It surely didn't look like the chainplate was leaking, but I couldn't see another obvious source. Any ideas?

So I'm guessing that I need to do (at least) the following: (1) re-bed the ports (which I know are notorious for leaking); (2) re-bed the grab rails.

But I'm wondering what you've learned about leaks at the mast step. Am I overlooking any other obvious sources of leaks?

By the way, you mentioned the toe rail. On my boat, the toe rail is fiberglass and integral to the deck (unlike on my O'Day 23, which has teak toe rails).

Thanks for your help.

Bob

foolproof · Oct 5, 2010

I know an easy way to fix the windows...Replace them! I bought the smoked Lexan windows that you basically glue on the outside. Then you seal them, and voila, the leaks are gone!

I put them in my boat, and haven't had any leaks yet.

Team118 · Oct 8, 2010

Bob;

Replacing the windows is certainly an option. I will tell you if you remove the current windows and reseat them correctly, they will keep the water out. By correctly, don't tighten all the way down until the caulking has cured a bit. This creates a nice gasket. The first 2 windows I did, I tightened way too fast and I had to redo them.

The teak grab rails are also a great leak point. Remove them, clean the topsides and I countersunk them a bit. Same deal, don't tighten too fast, let them cure.

In the head, I bet that's the little window. In my boat, the window has a screen and slide open. Re-seat it and I found that cleaning out the catchall on the outside of bugs, spiders and debris helped. I believe there is a stanchion topsides that is in the head.

I have never unstepped my mast, so I don't have a lot of knowledge there.

Right now, the only leaks I have are the toerail (which you don't have to worry about!) and there are 2 rails on the cabin top. I'm not sure what they are for (perhaps a spinaker set up) that leak a bit.

Good luck!
Chris

adirondackbob · Oct 9, 2010

Thanks, Chris. Obviously, I have some work to do before launching my boat in the spring!

Bob

Team118 · Oct 11, 2010

That's what winter is for!!! To look forward to the spring!

newboatowner · Oct 16, 2010

adirondackbob said:
Thanks, Chris. Obviously, I have some work to do before launching my boat in the spring!

Bob

Bob: I purchased a 1980 Catalina 30 last year and throughout the first season, the boat leaked like a sieve around the ports. I did exactaly what Chris described and I found two of them still leaking because I tightened them too much too soon. I'll have to redo them over the winter. You should be careful lifting the grab rails off the deck. If they warp a bit and you try to bend them back, viola, new grab rails. Loosening the screws from below and lifting the rail a bit may give you some room to carefully caulk around the holes. In any event, a bit of silicon on the base of the hand rails may seal them from leaking.

Buying this boat was one of the best things I have done in years. I throughly enjoy it, leaks and all.

Murray

adirondackbob · Oct 18, 2010

Murray, thanks for the tips. I have been planning to re-bed the ports on my boat for a while, and you and Chris have convinced me that it's job #1 for spring. But I learned this weekend that I have other leak issues. Our boat has been hauled for the winter, and over the weekend I was getting her ready to be covered. I was there after two days of heavy rain, so for better or worse, I was able to see other problems.

I already mentioned the grab rail on the port side, and I found that the teak is split at the aft end on that side. So I temporarily sealed it, but at least I know the source of that leak. I suspect leaks on the starboard side grab rail too.

As for the leak in the head, I found that it isn't the port but seems to be the chainplate. In fact, water was trickling down along the bulkhead both inside the head and in the main cabin. I sealed it temporarily for the winter, but I will have to pull it in the spring and check for core damage.

I also found a drip from the corner of the companionway sliding hatch, starboard side. That one has me puzzled. I can't quite figure out where the water might be entering the cabintop to get to that point. The traveler? The sliding hatch rails? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again. I love this boat, but it's obvious that the PO didn't keep up with leaks as well as I thought he did.

Bob

newboatowner · Oct 31, 2010

adirondackbob said:
Murray, thanks for the tips. I have been planning to re-bed the ports on my boat for a while, and you and Chris have convinced me that it's job #1 for spring. But I learned this weekend that I have other leak issues. Our boat has been hauled for the winter, and over the weekend I was getting her ready to be covered. I was there after two days of heavy rain, so for better or worse, I was able to see other problems.

I already mentioned the grab rail on the port side, and I found that the teak is split at the aft end on that side. So I temporarily sealed it, but at least I know the source of that leak. I suspect leaks on the starboard side grab rail too.

As for the leak in the head, I found that it isn't the port but seems to be the chainplate. In fact, water was trickling down along the bulkhead both inside the head and in the main cabin. I sealed it temporarily for the winter, but I will have to pull it in the spring and check for core damage.

I also found a drip from the corner of the companionway sliding hatch, starboard side. That one has me puzzled. I can't quite figure out where the water might be entering the cabintop to get to that point. The traveler? The sliding hatch rails? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again. I love this boat, but it's obvious that the PO didn't keep up with leaks as well as I thought he did.

Bob

Bob: I have the same problem. I removed the dodger for the winter a week ago and after a rain, I found water on the floor near the galley. I will now have to hose down the top in a methodical manner to determine where it is leaking. Take your time between wetting down the areas and you should be able to narrow the search down. Good luck.