Mystery water leak

[Kit Walther]

I wrote earlier for help to resolve a mystery water leak that caused water to collect in the storage compartment behind the starboard settee of my 1981 Catalina 30. Many people responded to my request for help, and I spent just a considerable amount of time pursuing every possibility to shut off the source of the problem. I thought I had solved the problem, and responded with a claim of victory, and thanks. Unfortunately, the problem persisted and my search for the water source continued on with frustration following every attempt to shut off the leak.Finally, I really think I have succeeded in shutting off the source, and thought I should share the remedy with others and see if anyone out there is, or has experienced the same problem. The source of water appears to have been the RUB RAIL fitting and fasteners. I caulked the topside of the rub rail with 3M 4200 and the storage compartment is now dry, even after several drenching rains. I suspect that water seeped behind the rub rail and traveled to a through-hull fastener above the compartment where it dripped slowly into the compartment.Anyone else experience the same problem?

 

[Dean Bachelor]

I suspected that on mine

Hey Kit,I suspected that my 85C30 was leaking from that area, only on the starboard side and leaking into the compartment behind the cushion, but only about a 1/2 cup after a rain. I will have to pursue it farther, thanks for the info.Dean

 

[Chris Hyland]

Cockpit drains

I have a friend who has a C30. The cockpit drains have ruber hoses to connect the cockpit scupper to the throughhull. The hoses were rotted and leaked water into the bilge...His boat was an 86, may be worth looking at in your even if you think you have the problem licked..Regards,Chris

 

[Kit Walther]

Dean:Initially, I was getting several cups of water in the compartment behind the seat cushion in the cabin on the starboard side. My first application of caulk to the rub rail seam reduced the volume to less than a cup of water. So, I extended the caulking on up to the bow of the boat. That seems to have cut it off entirely. Time will tell, however.

 

[Thomas]

C30 rubrail

I had heard that when one Catalina owner was replacing the rubber within the rubrail (the fasteners under the rubber can be viewed then) that there was a spot or two where holes into the hull existed but fasteners did not. Seems the Catalina factory forgot a couple. A good source for leaking rain water.