Mystery Leak

[Steve Zweigart]

Ok...need some collective brains on this one. Kon Tiki, my '84 Mac25, is sitting in my driveway on a slight bow-down grade. Water has been accumulating in the bilge area under the V-berth. Considerable amounts! I was certain that this was a result of the chainplate for the headstay, since nearly all deck water has been draining to the front. I removed the chainplate hardware, cleaned, and completely rebedded all four chainplates, thinking this would cure the leak. Well, it's rained for the last three days, and I just pumped about 4 gallons out of there again. (@#$%!!!) I've inspected all other deck fittings from bow to cockpit, and can find no suspicious source for the water, nor can I find any wet spots looking around while it's raining. Here's the kicker....when afloat, no water seems to get into this area. At the end of last season, this area was dry as a bone. That leads me to the conclusion that the water is getting in either because of (1) something having to do with the rigging being removed, or (2) the fact that the boat is level on the water. Any other ideas where to look and/or how to find the pesky leak?

 

[Dave West]

Don't overlook the Pop-top

Steve,I once upon a time, I was working on my electrical system inside the cabin when a summer thunderstorm blew in. It was a long run to the house, so I stayed put and was AMAZED at the amount of rainwater coming in and around the pop-top. Ol' Dave

 

[Tom]

Join the Crowd!

My Mac 25 has the same problem. After eliminating all other possibilities, I am certain that the water is entering at all the screw hole penetrations that attach the aluminum trim that holds the rub rail. I haven't had the energy to fix it yet but what I have done in the mean time is purchase a tarp large enough to cover the entire hull while I have it in storage. I believe the fix is to seal the top of the aluminum trim where it meats the hull, remove the rub rail rubber and seal all penetrations. Install rub rail.

 

[Dan McGuire]

Sit in the Boat in the Rain

I have never failed to find a leak by sitting in the boat while it is raining. I have never done it in the driveway, but I spend several days each season sitting in the boat while the boat is in the water. If it is more than one location, I describe the location of the leak in a notebook so that I can fix it when it is not raining.

 

[Mel E]

Anchor Locker Leak

SteveI had the same kind of leak in my 26X. I found mine when I removed the forward cover of the bow floatation and then the foam. In the rain (here on the southern Oregon coast we get plenty)water was coming through the fiberglass of the anchor locker. There were no cracks visable anyway, so assume it came thru the "pores". I used the "Leak Ender" I saw on TV to spray the bottom and sides of the anchor locker lying on my back in the forward berth. Our local lumber store guy told me it was "Liquid Galvanizing" and he had it in a spray can. I also did the insides from topside. On top of that I put some good plastic paint inside. With 11 plus inches of rain since, not a drop in the bilge. Hope this does it for you. Good Luck, MBE

 

[Mel E]

look at Anchor locker drain

SteveI didn't mention the anchor locker drain. I replaced the tubing while I had all the floatation out. I knew it couldn't hurt and I didn't want to have to remove and replace all the floatation again. It turns a crazy angle and the pipe clamp fitting may be loose. I couldn't see where mine had leaked but changed everything while there. I couldn't believe how much water came thru the anchor locker bottom, not just in one place but the whole bottom seem to let water thru.