Our new 356 was launched on Tuesday and was ready for an initial sail this Sunday. Those here in the Northeast know it has been raining and raining and....raining. Sitting in the boat today during the pouring rain we experienced a good amount or rainwater coming in via the companion way. Yes the wood and and acrylic slats were in place and the hatch was closed.This is not an air tight fit and the rain was collecting on the steps and dripping down all over. The good news was that the none of the ports nor anything else was leaking. Has anyone come up with a way to keep the rain from coming through the companion way. I was thinking about some sort of clear plastic cover that we could hang in front of the companion way when the boat is closed up? Marc SHAMRA Hull # 355
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not good
Something is not right I was at my boat today with heavy rain and no rain was inside and my boat a 2001-290 that is what its like when ever it rains ,no rain should be entering when ever the companion way is closed.
Something is not right I was at my boat today with heavy rain and no rain was inside and my boat a 2001-290 that is what its like when ever it rains ,no rain should be entering when ever the companion way is closed.
Drain
The slides for the hatch on my boat also work as drains from the boat deck just in front of the front of the hatch. The water runs down the slides of the hatch to the entrance way to the cabin and then into the cockpit. Check the tracks to find a place for leaks. Sometimes a bead of caulk in the right location will stop this. Check it out in the rain, or with a hose directed just aft of the cowling vents. Good luck. This should be an easy fix.
The slides for the hatch on my boat also work as drains from the boat deck just in front of the front of the hatch. The water runs down the slides of the hatch to the entrance way to the cabin and then into the cockpit. Check the tracks to find a place for leaks. Sometimes a bead of caulk in the right location will stop this. Check it out in the rain, or with a hose directed just aft of the cowling vents. Good luck. This should be an easy fix.
Hey Marc
Congrats on the new boat - I'm jealous - that's the one I really want. I'd let the dealer know about the leak, and have them fix it. It's under warranty. My 290 collects some water under the companionway steps, on top of and into the small storage box. It's not a lot of water, but I'm considering a companionway cover made of canvas. (Hey Nick!) Good luck and enjoy the new boat.
Congrats on the new boat - I'm jealous - that's the one I really want. I'd let the dealer know about the leak, and have them fix it. It's under warranty. My 290 collects some water under the companionway steps, on top of and into the small storage box. It's not a lot of water, but I'm considering a companionway cover made of canvas. (Hey Nick!) Good luck and enjoy the new boat.
Annoying
We've had similar problems. It's definitely a bad feature that Hunter designed into the mostly wonderful 356. I think the Hunter honchos just assumed that everyone would buy one of their overpriced dodgers, so they didn't really care if the biggest hole in the boat was leaky. Lately I've been toying with the idea of a small dodger, one that would cover just the companionway and fit between the winches. This would provide rain and wind protection but not so much windage, and would not block the view. No decision yet.
We've had similar problems. It's definitely a bad feature that Hunter designed into the mostly wonderful 356. I think the Hunter honchos just assumed that everyone would buy one of their overpriced dodgers, so they didn't really care if the biggest hole in the boat was leaky. Lately I've been toying with the idea of a small dodger, one that would cover just the companionway and fit between the winches. This would provide rain and wind protection but not so much windage, and would not block the view. No decision yet.
Hi Gregg
How's it going gregg ,really mine stay's dry and I haven't even put the dodger on yet,maybe the water is not draining properly,normally I have the dodger and conector to bimini on so its usualy all covered but its been so cool I didn't put any canvas on yet. What's with all this lousey weather is it ever going to stop I put the boat in april and only used it a few times.
How's it going gregg ,really mine stay's dry and I haven't even put the dodger on yet,maybe the water is not draining properly,normally I have the dodger and conector to bimini on so its usualy all covered but its been so cool I didn't put any canvas on yet. What's with all this lousey weather is it ever going to stop I put the boat in april and only used it a few times.
leaky companionway
Our 356 leaks there, too, and my dealre's looked at it with no fix yet-I like Paul's idea, some kind of rain hood would help and let you keep the companionway open without blocking the view and creating windage with a full dodger. Please share whatever you come up with!
Our 356 leaks there, too, and my dealre's looked at it with no fix yet-I like Paul's idea, some kind of rain hood would help and let you keep the companionway open without blocking the view and creating windage with a full dodger. Please share whatever you come up with!
Same problem
We have the same leak. The water ends up collecting in the engine bildge. I found that I had about two inches of rain water in it. I'd love to hear a solution. We've had two other leaks that the dealer has taken care of but never mentioned this one to them.
We have the same leak. The water ends up collecting in the engine bildge. I found that I had about two inches of rain water in it. I'd love to hear a solution. We've had two other leaks that the dealer has taken care of but never mentioned this one to them.
Dodge the rain
Hi Marc, Congrats on SHAMRA, SIMPLI FI was in three weeks ago. We had the same problem when she was on the hard. Since we put the dodger on the problem has been solved. Spent the weekend on her at NSY no more leaks.
Hi Marc, Congrats on SHAMRA, SIMPLI FI was in three weeks ago. We had the same problem when she was on the hard. Since we put the dodger on the problem has been solved. Spent the weekend on her at NSY no more leaks.
Whats another $2000!
At this point spend an extra $1500-2000 and get the dodger. You'll glad you did. Not only will it keep you drier, its a nice place to hide while you're underway to stay warmer & drier on those cold/wet days (assuming you have an autopilot and its safe to leave the helm and your visability is good and all the other caveats).
At this point spend an extra $1500-2000 and get the dodger. You'll glad you did. Not only will it keep you drier, its a nice place to hide while you're underway to stay warmer & drier on those cold/wet days (assuming you have an autopilot and its safe to leave the helm and your visability is good and all the other caveats).
Getta Dodger
Being in the rainy city of Seattle, I can't even imagine having my boat without a dodger. I actually have a full dodger and connected bimini and it was included in the package from the dealer. With this combo we sail all four seasons and have never had water enter through the companionway (plenty of other leaks though). Congrats on your new boat! -Barnaby s/v Miss Eulie
Being in the rainy city of Seattle, I can't even imagine having my boat without a dodger. I actually have a full dodger and connected bimini and it was included in the package from the dealer. With this combo we sail all four seasons and have never had water enter through the companionway (plenty of other leaks though). Congrats on your new boat! -Barnaby s/v Miss Eulie
Hiding behind the dodger
Yes a dodger is a must if you enjoy sailing in all kinds of weather. Picture is Monday, May 26 on the Potomac River. A beautiful rain filled day with winds in the 18-20 kts. First mate came up just after this asked if we could reduce some sail, she was having problems standing up down below. Jim S/V Java
Yes a dodger is a must if you enjoy sailing in all kinds of weather. Picture is Monday, May 26 on the Potomac River. A beautiful rain filled day with winds in the 18-20 kts. First mate came up just after this asked if we could reduce some sail, she was having problems standing up down below. Jim S/V Java
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Thanks To All
Thanks for all the info. We are awaiting the installation of our Dodger and by what we have read here that should help. I am also going to install a thin piece of weather stripping between the two slats at the companion way. We are also thinking about rigging a clear vinyl curtain, the kind you see at the entrance to commercial ice boxes or freezer systems that will allow easy access to the cabin but it will help seal the cabin to keep the A/C in. Need to convince my wife that it will look OK first. Final walkthru with the dealer is this Friday followed by sea trials on Saturday morning. Can't wait. Marc
Thanks for all the info. We are awaiting the installation of our Dodger and by what we have read here that should help. I am also going to install a thin piece of weather stripping between the two slats at the companion way. We are also thinking about rigging a clear vinyl curtain, the kind you see at the entrance to commercial ice boxes or freezer systems that will allow easy access to the cabin but it will help seal the cabin to keep the A/C in. Need to convince my wife that it will look OK first. Final walkthru with the dealer is this Friday followed by sea trials on Saturday morning. Can't wait. Marc
Stopping the Rain
We had an insulated canvas companionway cover made. We also have an extended bimini. We get a lot of rain and have not experienced any leaks down the companionway.
We had an insulated canvas companionway cover made. We also have an extended bimini. We get a lot of rain and have not experienced any leaks down the companionway.
Dodger/Bimini Photo
Finally got around to taking a picture of the installation on my boat. Cheers, Barnaby s/v Miss Eulie
Finally got around to taking a picture of the installation on my boat. Cheers, Barnaby s/v Miss Eulie
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Side curtains, too.
We ordered dodger, bimini, and connector, which keep the cabin absolutely dry. Then found that underway it still rains into the forward end of the cockpit, so we had clear plastic side curtains made that go from the connector to the coaming. They stop all the rain from the cockpit. We have a dry and comfortable boat, and the curtains can be rolled up when no rain. Ivan Bekey H356 #157
We ordered dodger, bimini, and connector, which keep the cabin absolutely dry. Then found that underway it still rains into the forward end of the cockpit, so we had clear plastic side curtains made that go from the connector to the coaming. They stop all the rain from the cockpit. We have a dry and comfortable boat, and the curtains can be rolled up when no rain. Ivan Bekey H356 #157
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