Miscellaneous Water Leaks – Hunter 356

[Knotallthere]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and just bought a 2002 Hunter 356 in need of TLC[/B]. The previous owner let the boat go over a period of time and now has a number of water leaks that I 'am working to chase down. In addition the Hunter windshield was recently replaced / rebeded but is leaking again, crazy question but has anyone replaced these fixed ports with opening hatches?? Not sure about the cut out and angle if it would be possible? Also after a heavy rain I have water leaking for somewhere which ends up collecting under the vanity doors on the floor. On the starboard / opposite side water is collecting below the two burner stove?? First guess is the stanchions or deck hardware but has anyone heard of this on the 356?

Regards,

 

[Steve Dion]

The question is who replaced the windshield and what did they use to seal it?

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Ron, welcome ! Great boat
There is an opening port above the stove and also above the vanity, I would check them first. You could try running a water hose over them while your crew checks for drips on the inside. These Lemar ports can drip and there are various ways to fix them using a new seal, a kit from Lewmar or a couple of small o-rings depending on the cause. I would check the ports first. Then look at the bedding for any deck penetrations, like dodger supports, line-stoppers etc.

The leak from the two big fixed ports is a pain. Are they both dripping or just one ? Obviously they were not sealed properly if they were just replaced. As Steve said, the last fixer may not have used the proper sealant. The procedure to install these is available on this site in the owner resources section, all the Hunter SOPs are there. I down loaded them all on to my iPad. The Hunter store here sells the proper sealant for these ports.

Bob

 

[Knotallthere]

Hi Steve,

The broker's yard replaced the acrylic and used black life caulk from what I have been told. Also I noticed that the companionway leaks as well. It appears to be coming in between where the wooden and acrylic drop boards meet? :cussing:

 

[Knotallthere]

Ron, welcome ! Great boat
There is an opening port above the stove and also above the vanity, I would check them first. You could try running a water hose over them while your crew checks for drips on the inside. These Lemar ports can drip and there are various ways to fix them using a new seal, a kit from Lewmar or a couple of small o-rings depending on the cause. I would check the ports first. Then look at the bedding for any deck penetrations, like dodger supports, line-stoppers etc.

The leak from the two big fixed ports is a pain. Are they both dripping or just one ? Obviously they were not sealed properly if they were just replaced. As Steve said, the last fixer may not have used the proper sealant. The procedure to install these is available on this site in the owner resources section, all the Hunter SOPs are there. I down loaded them all on to my iPad. The Hunter store here sells the proper sealant for these ports.

Bob

Thanks Bob for the insight. Both sides of the windshield are leaking currently. It looks like the leaks on both the port and starboard side are running through the liner, they were not visibly noticeable when I washed the deck or when I have been on the boat during a rain. Do you think the Lewmars could leak that way? Thanks again for the suggestion on the windshield will look into that asap.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Thanks Bob for the insight. Both sides of the windshield are leaking currently. It looks like the leaks on both the port and starboard side are running through the liner, they were not visibly noticeable when I washed the deck or when I have been on the boat during a rain. Do you think the Lewmars could leak that way? Thanks again for the suggestion on the windshield will look into that asap.

Ron, the leaks I've seen on the lewmars were drips coming off the inside surface or latches. They could leak where they are sealed too, but I have not seen that. Some have re bedded their ports but have not heard of it on newer Hunters.

As far as the companionway goes, we have a dodger so never get any water on it while sailing. When we haul the boat for hurricane season and so all the canvas comes off. I made a companionway cover to keep the sun off the wood and plexi as well as keep it dry in a storm. We now often use it in a marina for privacy down below.
I found while washing the boat we can get water coming in the companionway if the plexi is pulled all the way aft. I push it forward a half inch so the lock just lines up. Then no leak. It is not an issue in storage with the Sunbrella cover. The D ring on the cover tents it up with a line to the dodger frame while in storage.

There is a thread here, http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=56764 on leaks, sealants etc.

I suspect they did not remove the windshield to reseal it.

A pressure washer might be more effective to find a leak.

Did you look at the photo album of my boat on my profile here on Hunterowners ?
Bob

 

[Knotallthere]

Thanks Bob! Do you use a weights to keep the Sunbrella cover on? After reading the link you sent me I will see if the water is possibly coming from the handrails or other areas around the windshield before I look to start over. The acrylic is new so I hope it will come back out without breaking, I will certainly use the fishing line trick and rebed with Dow sealant and spacers etc. Still interested to know if I could replace with opening hatches?

Regards,

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Ron, the cover has 3 snaps down each side and a couple across the top. The sides were made a little over size to overlap. The bottom I sewed a sleeve in it to accept a "sausage" made with sand, maybe 3 lbs. it keeps the fabric tight. We will often leave to top two hatch boards out in a marina to block the view inside the boat but still allow a bit of air flow. It also makes it easier to exit the boat only needing to remove the bottom hatch board. (Sailrite has Sunbrella on sale right now !).

I have not seen a Hunter with the windshield ports replaced with opening hatches. I don't know if a hatch would be strong enough. That area is under some stress. The hatch would have to be the exact size. The ports do have quite a bit of overlap if I remember.

Bob