I have a continuing leak problem on the portside of my Mistral. I have redone the Sikaflex throughout, reseated the stanchions, checked everything possible, had various experts investigate, but still it persists. The charttable and quarter berth get wet in either a) heavy rainfall or b) we're beating on starboard tack and heeled over so the port toerail is close to or on the water line. I must be missing something - any ideas ?
Mistral topside leaks
- Thread starter Hugh Stewart
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Shop vac time?
Close and seal all ports, vents, lockers, etc. with tape. Put the shop vac in 'blower' mode and seal the outlet into a vent, etc. to 'slightly' pressurize the hull from the inside ('slightly' so you dont blow the deck off !!!), slosh a mixture of 25% dishwasher detergent and 75% water over all the 'suspect' places ..... look for the bubbles as thats where the leak 'starts' from the outside. Probably the leak is at the hull/deck joint.
Close and seal all ports, vents, lockers, etc. with tape. Put the shop vac in 'blower' mode and seal the outlet into a vent, etc. to 'slightly' pressurize the hull from the inside ('slightly' so you dont blow the deck off !!!), slosh a mixture of 25% dishwasher detergent and 75% water over all the 'suspect' places ..... look for the bubbles as thats where the leak 'starts' from the outside. Probably the leak is at the hull/deck joint.
Mistral leak - Shop Vac
Rich, Thank you - that's a good thought. I haven't tried that idea. Happy New Year ! Hugh
Rich, Thank you - that's a good thought. I haven't tried that idea. Happy New Year ! Hugh
I have the same problem
Could you tell me your results if you try Rich solution? I just bought the boat and it is really the only major problem I have. Thank you in advance.
Could you tell me your results if you try Rich solution? I just bought the boat and it is really the only major problem I have. Thank you in advance.
Leak
Hugh, The home port is El Masnou, 20 km away from Barcelona. The name of the boat is de´Light. I bought the boat last October from Claes Estelle. The boat is in quite good condition but still long way to go. Julián
Hugh, The home port is El Masnou, 20 km away from Barcelona. The name of the boat is de´Light. I bought the boat last October from Claes Estelle. The boat is in quite good condition but still long way to go. Julián
toside leaks cause
I have been dealing with this for years. After several failed solutions I concluded it was caused by the teak deck delaminating from the fiberglass structural deck. Water will run between the deck boards and eventually find a way into the cabin ( thru bolt holes or deck drains). The solution is to carefully remove the boards and imbed them in epoxy. It reduced the problem by 95%. I'm still working on the other 5%
I have been dealing with this for years. After several failed solutions I concluded it was caused by the teak deck delaminating from the fiberglass structural deck. Water will run between the deck boards and eventually find a way into the cabin ( thru bolt holes or deck drains). The solution is to carefully remove the boards and imbed them in epoxy. It reduced the problem by 95%. I'm still working on the other 5%
Mistral leaks
Bob, Many thanks. Surely if the sikaflex seal is good enough between a) the teak deck and the toerail and b) the teak deck and the coachroof coaming, the deck should be watertight ? I'm a bit reluctant to lift the deck as it's in good condition, but 95% is a good result ! Hugh
Bob, Many thanks. Surely if the sikaflex seal is good enough between a) the teak deck and the toerail and b) the teak deck and the coachroof coaming, the deck should be watertight ? I'm a bit reluctant to lift the deck as it's in good condition, but 95% is a good result ! Hugh
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