Hello All, I've been sailing for several years out of the SaintPete Sailing Center (great program) in Saint Petersburg on 19ft Rhodes and crewing every chance I can to get ready for... My new 1978 Hunter 33! Got a great deal, 5k, and everything seems to be going well. Have Rigger coming out tomorrow to check everything. My question...on the port side I have a water coming in. Not a lot, and only seems to come in when I'm cleaning the deck. Should I just use silicone to plug the leak? This appears to be the only spot where water drips in.
My First Boat!!! a few quick questions)
- Thread starter EscapeII
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Toe Rail
Try tightening the bolts for the toe rail before you resort to a sealant. Do some reading on Marine Sealants and remember if you use 3M's 5200 it may never come apart even when you want it to.
Try tightening the bolts for the toe rail before you resort to a sealant. Do some reading on Marine Sealants and remember if you use 3M's 5200 it may never come apart even when you want it to.
Toerails a big culprit
Toe rails are a big culprit for these leaks and because each type of toe rail is quite different it may not be as easy as just applying silicone. You may find you can't get at the tops of the toerail screws or deck bolts without removing the rails and may be forced to spend some time squnching against the hull applying silicone to the undersides of the leaking screws...
Toe rails are a big culprit for these leaks and because each type of toe rail is quite different it may not be as easy as just applying silicone. You may find you can't get at the tops of the toerail screws or deck bolts without removing the rails and may be forced to spend some time squnching against the hull applying silicone to the undersides of the leaking screws...
Assume Everything Leaks
I too were in a similar situation a few years ago - we bought our first '78 Catalina 30. Your best bet is to buy a big roll of Butyl Tape and re-bed all your decktop fittings (i.e. windows, deck fittings, toerail, stanchions, hardware,etc). Water has a funny way of traveling between cabin liners and decks...also, over time all sealants breakdown with the normal flexing of the boat (and time). This is the only way to have a dry interior that remains odor-free. Good luck- Rob
I too were in a similar situation a few years ago - we bought our first '78 Catalina 30. Your best bet is to buy a big roll of Butyl Tape and re-bed all your decktop fittings (i.e. windows, deck fittings, toerail, stanchions, hardware,etc). Water has a funny way of traveling between cabin liners and decks...also, over time all sealants breakdown with the normal flexing of the boat (and time). This is the only way to have a dry interior that remains odor-free. Good luck- Rob
Baby diapers
For a an easy and slow leak catcher until the repair is made, the modern store bought diaper will do the trick. In areas that will support a diaper, slip it in and let it absorb the water coming in.
For a an easy and slow leak catcher until the repair is made, the modern store bought diaper will do the trick. In areas that will support a diaper, slip it in and let it absorb the water coming in.
Caulk
Use clear silicone instead of white, because it's less visable and therefore hides any application flaws.
Use clear silicone instead of white, because it's less visable and therefore hides any application flaws.
Thanks all
Thanks everyone. That baby diaper trick seems pretty clever. tonight I'm heading down to check the toe rails and identify exactly where the leak is. Discovered a pin-hole in my exhaust pipe, so need to replace that ASAP as well. Anyone handy in the St. Pete area?
LOL I appreciate all the quick tips, this appears to be a great community. Neil
Thanks everyone. That baby diaper trick seems pretty clever. tonight I'm heading down to check the toe rails and identify exactly where the leak is. Discovered a pin-hole in my exhaust pipe, so need to replace that ASAP as well. Anyone handy in the St. Pete area?
LOL I appreciate all the quick tips, this appears to be a great community. Neil
Bi-Annual Re-callking
Neil, A couple of times, spring and summer I spend a few hours using a big caulking gun and re-caulking 1. my boat's toerail and the tops of the toerail bolts, 2. all deck fittings, 3. windows, especially the large tinted windows in the coach roof. This re-caulking with top quality marine clear sealant has eliminated interior mould/fungus. The cabin smells way better. Re-bedding is sometimes needed but I find this process keeps the moisture at bay. Other things - always tarp the boat when not in use, and run the ends of the tarp overboard, keep the bilge really dry. Showering off the boat at the yacht club bathroom/or marinas helps avoid nasty fungoidals that love warm, dark damp places.
Neil, A couple of times, spring and summer I spend a few hours using a big caulking gun and re-caulking 1. my boat's toerail and the tops of the toerail bolts, 2. all deck fittings, 3. windows, especially the large tinted windows in the coach roof. This re-caulking with top quality marine clear sealant has eliminated interior mould/fungus. The cabin smells way better. Re-bedding is sometimes needed but I find this process keeps the moisture at bay. Other things - always tarp the boat when not in use, and run the ends of the tarp overboard, keep the bilge really dry. Showering off the boat at the yacht club bathroom/or marinas helps avoid nasty fungoidals that love warm, dark damp places.
Helpful book for the DIY guy
Don Casey's "Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair." Concur with the prior comment to assume that everything leaks and to rebed all deck hardware.
Don Casey's "Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair." Concur with the prior comment to assume that everything leaks and to rebed all deck hardware.
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