Last week when I was at the boat I noticed that the counter weight line coming from the compression post was wet(this is probably why my counter weight is stuck inside the post) which I can only assume is not good. The first thought is that there is a leak around the mast base but maybe not as there is that solar panel near by which could be leaking and the water running down to the compression post. Anyone out there have any experience with this type of a leak on a Hunter 37.5? Tom s/v At Last
New problem, leak around the compression post
- Thread starter texastom
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37.5 leak experience - yes, fixed - no.
Yep, I also have a leak around my compression post. A few years ago, we had a big rain storm and it was all wet around my compression post. I had a tool kit on the table, and it was quite damp under it, and a small puddle on the table too. The water also stained the table, and I sanded it a bit to get the stain out, but not deep enough to go through the top layer. I have never found the actual location of the leak. However, one time I was washing the boat, and had the hose aimed right at the bottom of the mast. Well, I found water in the cabin after that. So I think the water is coming through at the base of the mast, and not because of the solar panel. I think water is coming through along with the wiring hole thru the deck. Now, when I leave the boat during the winter, I wrap a towel around the base of the mast, and it hasn't leaked since. I will look at the problem in detail the next time when I have to pull the stick. If you find the cause before I do, please let me know. Thanks.
Yep, I also have a leak around my compression post. A few years ago, we had a big rain storm and it was all wet around my compression post. I had a tool kit on the table, and it was quite damp under it, and a small puddle on the table too. The water also stained the table, and I sanded it a bit to get the stain out, but not deep enough to go through the top layer. I have never found the actual location of the leak. However, one time I was washing the boat, and had the hose aimed right at the bottom of the mast. Well, I found water in the cabin after that. So I think the water is coming through at the base of the mast, and not because of the solar panel. I think water is coming through along with the wiring hole thru the deck. Now, when I leave the boat during the winter, I wrap a towel around the base of the mast, and it hasn't leaked since. I will look at the problem in detail the next time when I have to pull the stick. If you find the cause before I do, please let me know. Thanks.
I had it...
leaked down on the table around my c-post. Pulling off the wood(?) panel in the roof around the post, I could see the water coming down one of the wires coming from the mast head. I went up the mast and caulked around the base of the mast light. That seemed to solve it, or at least has for 3 years now. I've just seen a few drops lately, so I'm suspecting my seal job has worn down some, letting in water underneath the light, which then runs down the wire. I've gotta take the stick down sometime and check all this out. Hanging up there at the top didn't give me much time for figuring out the details, I just spread silicone everywhere I could. That's my take on it.
leaked down on the table around my c-post. Pulling off the wood(?) panel in the roof around the post, I could see the water coming down one of the wires coming from the mast head. I went up the mast and caulked around the base of the mast light. That seemed to solve it, or at least has for 3 years now. I've just seen a few drops lately, so I'm suspecting my seal job has worn down some, letting in water underneath the light, which then runs down the wire. I've gotta take the stick down sometime and check all this out. Hanging up there at the top didn't give me much time for figuring out the details, I just spread silicone everywhere I could. That's my take on it.
Thanks Guys
I think my problem may be the same as Don's as I have not seen water on the table or on the outside of the compression post. It seeems to be coming from inside the post which would indicate that the leak is in the mast wiring, possibly. Since I just got a bosun's seat for Xmas and my anchor light doesn't work I guess it's time to go to the top. *yks
I think my problem may be the same as Don's as I have not seen water on the table or on the outside of the compression post. It seeems to be coming from inside the post which would indicate that the leak is in the mast wiring, possibly. Since I just got a bosun's seat for Xmas and my anchor light doesn't work I guess it's time to go to the top. *yks
Leak at Compression Post
There should be a small slot at the base of the front of the mast. This is to allow water that enters from the top of the mast to drain. If this slot becomes clogged the water accumulates and over flows a small piece of PVC pipe that that carries the mast wireing into the boat. It is important to keep this slot open. Annually when removing my boat from storage I shoot a high pressure stream of water from a hose into this slot and watch the dirt run out. The amount of dirt that accumulates in there is amazing. Since I have been doing this I have not had a leak at the compression post. I have a P42 but the problem is probably the same.
There should be a small slot at the base of the front of the mast. This is to allow water that enters from the top of the mast to drain. If this slot becomes clogged the water accumulates and over flows a small piece of PVC pipe that that carries the mast wireing into the boat. It is important to keep this slot open. Annually when removing my boat from storage I shoot a high pressure stream of water from a hose into this slot and watch the dirt run out. The amount of dirt that accumulates in there is amazing. Since I have been doing this I have not had a leak at the compression post. I have a P42 but the problem is probably the same.
Excellent suggestion
Thanks Sailorsid. I didn't know that so I'll do that this weekend. This is what makes this site so valuable. Hey, how's the weather down in the islands? Do you sail very much to the other islands and if so what is your favorite? I look forward to the day we make the jump. Tom s/v At Last
Thanks Sailorsid. I didn't know that so I'll do that this weekend. This is what makes this site so valuable. Hey, how's the weather down in the islands? Do you sail very much to the other islands and if so what is your favorite? I look forward to the day we make the jump. Tom s/v At Last
This is what I did....
Epoxied over the deck hole under the mast and brought wires out of the mast base. Never again will I unstep the mast due to a leak.
Epoxied over the deck hole under the mast and brought wires out of the mast base. Never again will I unstep the mast due to a leak.
mast step leak
I had the usual sagging mast step for this model. What I did was pull the mast, cut the top of the desk around the mast. On this model there is a "t" shaped raised area the mast step sets on. I cut thru the raised area all the way to the cabin liner. Removed the plywood that was glassed into the cabin top and started laying up glass in that area. I now have a solid glass platform for the mast step. I then modified the mast step itself with a welded in 6 inch conduit for all the wiring and welded closed an open area in the middle of the mast step. When I set the step I used 2 ss lag screws for the aft end of the step and screwed it into the top of the pressure post. I used 2 machine ss bolts thru the front of the mast step with ss backing on the inside of the cabin. I set the mast step with a sealant from West Marine. In truth it doens't matter if it leaks as it would drip in the head shower area. Theres nothing that can be damaged. I might have over killed the fix but its not something I'll ever will have to worry about again. I also refab the ibeam the post sets on with 1/4" ss. So it will out live me I'm sure. When I had the mast down I rewired everything and run the wire to the breaker panel without a break in the wire. Left some slack in the bottom of the mast for whoever needs to pull it in the future. They will have to cut and install a plug to reassemble.
I had the usual sagging mast step for this model. What I did was pull the mast, cut the top of the desk around the mast. On this model there is a "t" shaped raised area the mast step sets on. I cut thru the raised area all the way to the cabin liner. Removed the plywood that was glassed into the cabin top and started laying up glass in that area. I now have a solid glass platform for the mast step. I then modified the mast step itself with a welded in 6 inch conduit for all the wiring and welded closed an open area in the middle of the mast step. When I set the step I used 2 ss lag screws for the aft end of the step and screwed it into the top of the pressure post. I used 2 machine ss bolts thru the front of the mast step with ss backing on the inside of the cabin. I set the mast step with a sealant from West Marine. In truth it doens't matter if it leaks as it would drip in the head shower area. Theres nothing that can be damaged. I might have over killed the fix but its not something I'll ever will have to worry about again. I also refab the ibeam the post sets on with 1/4" ss. So it will out live me I'm sure. When I had the mast down I rewired everything and run the wire to the breaker panel without a break in the wire. Left some slack in the bottom of the mast for whoever needs to pull it in the future. They will have to cut and install a plug to reassemble.
I had the same leak
every time it rained, about 3 hours later, water would run down the compression post onto the floor and into the bilge. The water was getting in where the wired come through the deck. By removing a lug that held a rigging stay near the base of the mast (Passage 42) we determined that the boat did not have the PVC post that is meant to keep water from coming through. Rather than pull the mast, I had the area where the wires transit the deck heavily chaulked by way of this access port. So far, 2 months later (and in the rainy Northwest), not a single drop of water has come through the deck at the compression post and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
every time it rained, about 3 hours later, water would run down the compression post onto the floor and into the bilge. The water was getting in where the wired come through the deck. By removing a lug that held a rigging stay near the base of the mast (Passage 42) we determined that the boat did not have the PVC post that is meant to keep water from coming through. Rather than pull the mast, I had the area where the wires transit the deck heavily chaulked by way of this access port. So far, 2 months later (and in the rainy Northwest), not a single drop of water has come through the deck at the compression post and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
All good ideas
Gary and Steve, I don't have the same mast configuration you have on your 30's so thanks but that's not my problem. Sailorsid, I hosed out the drain vents this weekend and you are right, got a lot of junk coming out. We'll see if that helped. Don, I haven't gone to the top yet but I will make sure the wires are caukled good at the top. I need to remove the panel you mentioned while it is raining and see if water is running down the wires as you observed. Problem is we haven't had much rain lately and the little rain we have had didn't come when I was at the boat. This Spring I should be able to check it. Tom s/v At Last
Gary and Steve, I don't have the same mast configuration you have on your 30's so thanks but that's not my problem. Sailorsid, I hosed out the drain vents this weekend and you are right, got a lot of junk coming out. We'll see if that helped. Don, I haven't gone to the top yet but I will make sure the wires are caukled good at the top. I need to remove the panel you mentioned while it is raining and see if water is running down the wires as you observed. Problem is we haven't had much rain lately and the little rain we have had didn't come when I was at the boat. This Spring I should be able to check it. Tom s/v At Last
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